Last update: August 31, 2021
These recommendations replace our previous recommendations (June 2021)
On behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society, we appreciate your commitment to the Trottibus initiative.
In accordance with our latest recommendations on Trottibus activities during the COVID pandemic and in compliance with public health recommendations issued by the Government of Quebec and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), here are our instructions in the event of COVID-19 symptoms1 or a positive COVID-19 test result in a child using the Trottibus. These instructions are intended for all active Trottibus school participants (organizing committee members, volunteers, children registered for the Trottibus and their parents) who wish to once again use or begin to use the Trottibus during the 2021- 2022 school year.
Important reminders and recommendations:
- Parents of children registered for the Trottibus must keep their child at home in the event of symptoms1
- See recommendations regarding physical distancing and wearing a mask in our updated recommendations regarding Trottibus activities in Quebec primary schools.
- We recommend that parents of registered children accompany their child to the Trottibus stop.
- We recommend that parents of registered children provide their child with hand sanitizer. Since the Trottibus is a school initiative, ask the school administration if they could provide a kit of disposable masks in case a child from grades 1 to 6 does not have a mask or a preschool child presents symptoms during a Trottibus trip.
If a student has one or more symptoms1 at home:
- We recommend keeping the child at home and avoiding contact with others.
- The parent should use the COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment tool on Québec.ca / decisioncovid19 or call 1 877 644-4545 and follow the instructions given to them to determine if the child should be tested or if he can return to school.
If a student shows symptoms1 during the Trottibus route:
- If the parent is not at the Trottibus stop, one of the volunteers should immediately call the child’s parents and ask them to come and pick up their child. The child should be isolated from the rest of the group with one of the volunteers.
- The volunteer must wear a procedural mask and eye protection if they must come within two metres of the child (wearing a mask is mandatory at all times for Trottibus volunteers)
- If the parents can’t be reached, leave the child at school and have them self- isolate in a school room previously designated for this purpose. This should be done respectfully and without stigma. The room should be ventilated and disinfected after the child leaves school.
- If the parents can’t be reached, a single Trottibus volunteer should look after the student during the trip to school and isolate the child from the rest of the group for the duration of the trip.
- If one of the parents can be reached, the volunteer should ask the parent to pick up their child from school as soon as possible. The parent can also pick up their child at a Trottibus stop, on the way to school, depending on what will have been decided with the parent. However, the Trottibus will not stop its route to wait for the parent to arrive in order to avoid getting to school late.
- The parent should use the COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment tool on Québec.ca / decisioncovid19 or call 1-877-644-4545 as soon as possible and follow the instructions given to them. The sick child should self-isolate at home until the parents are given instructions from public health.
If a student on my child’s Trottibus tests positive for COVID-19:
- All parents and school staff are automatically notified by the school when a case of COVID-19 is diagnosed at the school.
- With the help of the parents of the child concerned and of the school, regional public health officials will identify contacts;
- People considered to be at moderate or high risk will be contacted by regional public health officials. They will be removed from the environment and tested.
- People considered to be at low risk will be able to continue using the Trottibus and will have to look out for symptoms for 14 days.
If a volunteer tests positive for COVID-19:
- The volunteer must inform the organizing committee, which will inform the school as well as the parents of the walkers with whom they have been in contact.
- The volunteer must cease their Trottibus activities until they test negative for COVID-19.
- All parents and school staff are automatically notified by the school when a case of COVID-19 is diagnosed at the school.
You can refer to this link for the COVID-19 procedure to follow in educational institutions established by the Government of Quebec.
When can you stop isolating at home?
In general, you can stop isolating if all of the following conditions have been met:
- 10 days have passed since your symptoms started.
- You haven’t had a fever for at least 48 hours (without taking fever medicine).
- Your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (excluding coughing or loss of sense of smell, which may last longer).
When in doubt, call 1 877 644-4545.
Here is the link for more information on self-isolation: When to self-isolate | Gouvernement du Québec (quebec.ca)
Here is a link for instructions for people with COVID-19 in home isolation: https://www.quebec.ca/sante/problemes-de-sante/az/coronavirus-2019/consignes-isolement-personne-atteinte-covid-19/
Please take note of your volunteers’ comments and report them to the Canadian Cancer Society so that we can make any necessary adjustments to these recommendations.
1 Look out for the following symptoms: fever, cough (new or worsening), shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sudden loss of sense of smell without nasal congestion, with or without loss of sense of taste, severe fatigue, loss of appetite severe, generalized muscle pain (not related to physical exertion), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach aches.