Wear masks if having sex outside your ‘bubble’, Canada’s top doctor says

The country’s top doctor is recommending that Canadians mask up before they get down.

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, recommended in a statement skipping kissing, avoiding face-to-face contact or closeness and considering using a mask that covers the nose and mouth during sex.

“Current evidence indicates there is a very low likelihood of contracting the novel coronavirus through semen or vaginal fluids,” Dr. Tam said in the statement. “However, even if the people involved do not have symptoms, sexual activity with new partners does increase your risk of getting or passing COVID-19 through close contact, like kissing.”

The statement also pointed out that the lowest risk sexual activity during COVID-19 involves no one else.

When engaging in sexual activity, reduce risks of spreading COVID-19 by monitoring oneself for symptoms and abstaining if some are present. Tam also recommended limiting alcohol use and other substances so safer decisions can be made. Also be aware if you or your partner may be at higher risk for more severe outcomes of COVID-19. 

"As usual, engaging in safer sex practices, including using condoms, knowing your own (sexually transmitted infection) status and the status of your partner," Tam said.

There have been 129,425 cases of COVID-19 in Canada, including 9,132 deaths. 88.5 per cent of people have now recovered.

Labs across Canada tested an average of 46,000 people daily over the past week with 0.9 per cent testing positive. An average of over 490 new cases have been reported daily during the most recent seven days.

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