Three provinces, Ontario, Québec, and British Columbia have enacted new protocols in response to the spreading of the COVID-19 virus.
Ontario
The province has introduced a new five tier system detailing COVID-19 closures and restrictions. Under this new protocol, all employers are required to:
- Conduct pre-entry COVID-19 symptom screenings of all employees and visitors
- Wherever possible, maintain physical distancing of at least 2 metres or more, even if face masks are used
- Require face coverings in indoor workplace areas where physical distancing cannot be maintained and
- Eye protection is required for workers who may come within 2 metres of employees and visitors without face coverings.
On November 23rd, the Toronto and Peel Regions entered the “Lockdown” tier for 28 days. This lockdown framework requires essential businesses, such as printing, to limit their capacity to 50 percent. Additionally, essential business operations that are remaining open must have COVID-19 workplace safety plans.
Québec
The province of Québec has also established a tier-based system and will place regions into separate tiers. Regardless of the tier designation, all establishments are to maintain physical distancing, wear face coverings and practice “alternative greeting practices” that do not involve touching.
British Columbia
The province has released new restrictions that are to remain in place until Jan. 8, 2021, midnight that apply to all businesses operating in British Columbia. Under this order, all employers are required to review and update their COVID-19 Safety Plans. All employers in the province are required to develop and implement a safety plan. Additionally, the order requires all employers to
- Make every effort to provide work from home options
- Ensure that workers who are at the workplace participate in daily health screenings
- Ensure that a policy/protocol is in place that workers who do not perform a daily health check are not allowed on premise
- Ensure that all workers maintain appropriate physical distancing of two metres of more.Extra care should be exercised in small areas, such as lunch and break rooms.
All facilities are encouraged to download the Alliance’s COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan which will help you develop all relevant policies. For more information, or if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Marci Kinter at mkinter@printing.org; Gary Jones at gjones@printing.org, and for questions related to human resources, Adriane Harrison at aharrison@printing.org.