Last updated: March 7, 2023
The information on this page is meant to support parents, caregivers and families in preventing the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 and Influenza, in our communities.
To prevent the spread of infections, it is important to stay home when sick.
Everyone has a role to play to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. There are measures we can take to protect ourselves, our loved ones and those most vulnerable in our community. Each measure provides an added layer of protection.
Learn more about measures to protect yourself and others and other school health resources.
Download the Screening Poster and Questionnaire for Child Care, Day Camps and Schools. Also available in multiple languages.
Complete the Toronto Public Health Child Care and School Screening Questionnaire or the Provincial School and Child Care Screening Tool for your child each day before attending child care or school.
There are many reasons children/students may have symptoms that are not related to COVID-19 or another respiratory infection. Examples include:
Children/students who have a history of related or known causes of symptoms for conditions they already have can confirm that from a medical doctor or nurse practitioner, if needed, noting that the child has another condition that explains the child’s/student’s symptoms.
Children/students with a chronic health issue that is medically diagnosed and unrelated to COVID-19 should look for new, different or worsening symptoms. If the child/student has a chronic health condition and symptoms are getting worse, they should stay home and speak to a health care provider or seek medical attention.
A close contact is someone who is living with or exposed to someone who tested positive or has symptoms while that person was contagious. Someone is contagious from 48 hours before symptoms start or their test date (whichever came first), until they complete their self-isolation.
Your child is a close contact if:
OR
In the community, it is the responsibility of the individual with COVID-19 symptoms or COVID-19 positive test to determine who their close contacts are and to notify them of their potential exposure.
Learn more about what is a close contact in the community (also available in French).
Toronto Public Health (TPH) strongly recommends wearing a well-fitting, high quality mask in all indoor public settings, including in schools and childcare settings. Masking continues to be an important layer of protection to keep you, your loved ones, and the most vulnerable in our community safe.
Download this information as a PDF (available in French).
Download this information as a PDF (available in French).
Learn more about face masks and respirators, including qualities of a good mask.
Stay up-to-date with your vaccinations including a COVID-19 booster for the best protection against getting very sick from COVID-19. Everyone ages 6 months and over can get the COVID-19 and other vaccines at the same time.
Visit COVID-19: Vaccines for 6 Months to Under 5 Years Old to learn about COVID-19 vaccines for young children, vaccine safety and benefits and having a positive vaccine experience. Recordings of virtual information sessions for parents are also available. Learn about vaccine safety and benefits, specialized accommodations/clinics, and how to talk to your child about getting the vaccine.
Our COVID-19 vaccine resources (also available in French) can be shared so youth can learn about COVID-19 vaccines and find answers to common questions.
Visit School Immunization Program for information about accessing Meningococcal, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Hepatitis B vaccines, and Immunization for Preschoolers for information about childhood vaccines for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Read Public Health letters to parents/guardians: