Business and Workplaces

Rapid Antigen Tests

Visit our COVID-19 Testing page for information on Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs).

Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Employers

• Post signage (e.g. face covering);
• Provide access to hand washing stations and/or hand sanitizer;
• Sanitize high-touch surfaces often (e.g., counters, door knobs, equipment, tools, vehicles);
• Examine ventilation (e.g., improve fresh air intake and air circulation, open windows);   
• Support physical distance of at least two metres when mask wearing is not possible;
• Review, update, and communicate/post policies (e.g., Face Covering policy, reporting illness, sick time, infection prevention and control, sanitization, tracking). When you review and create new policies, consider all workplace hazards, not just COVID-19 and consult with your Joint Health and Safety Committees/Health and Safety representatives;
• Have your COVID-19 plan available;
• Ensure all employees and customers are wearing face coverings, as required.
• Review and consider various options for:
  • work schedule (e.g., work from home)
  • meetings (e.g., by phone, virtually, outdoors, scheduled vs. drop-in)

 *This does not substitute legal advice. These are general infection protection and control measures. It is important to note, some of these practices may not be feasible in all workplaces and/or there may be additional workplace policies, Ministry guidelines, or legislation for specific jobs or sectors. 

Employers should review relevant guidance documents provided by:

• Government of Ontario: sector-specific guidelines and posters
• Ontario Ministry of Health: guidance documents
• Government of Ontario: Develop your COVID-19 workplace safety plan

Employers are also encouraged to review:

• Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings (Public Health Ontario)
• COVID-19: Support for Businesses (Government of Ontario)
• COVID-19: Resources for Canadian Businesses (Government of Canada)
• Getting Your Workplace Ready for COVID-19 (World Health Organization)
• COVID-19: Keeping safe during the pandemic (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
  
• Do Not Enter Warning poster for workplaces and public areas.

For more information:

Government of Ontario

• Call Stop the Spread Business Information (1-888-444-3659) for questions about temporary measures, impacts to your business or employment.

Government of Canada

• Visit Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan for questions on the emergency response program and support for individuals, businesses and/or sectors.

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit

• Call 1-844-478-1400 for questions around infection prevention and control measures for your workplace and COVID-19 (e.g., contact tracing, testing, self-isolation, return to work). 

Face Coverings and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Visit our Face Coverings and PPE page.

Signs & Screening Tools

Visit our Signs and Screening Tools page.

Infection Protection and Control Measures for Employees

*These measures may not be possible in all workplaces and/or you may have other policies and laws to follow for your specific job or sector. 

• Self-screen before going to work each day. Bookmark the online Worker and Employee Screening Tool for easy daily access.
• Practice physical distancing (2 metres or 6 feet);
• Wear a face covering or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required;
• Wash hands often (soap and water for 20 seconds or with hand sanitizer);
• Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose;
• Avoid using contact greetings (e.g., shaking hands);
• Avoid or minimize sharing tools, equipment, supplies;
• Sanitize high-touch surfaces often (e.g., counters, door knobs, equipment, tools, vehicles);
• Stay home if you have symptoms of COVID-19. If you have symptoms, immediately isolate yourself, and notify your supervisor or occupational health department.

Concerns about your workplace’s health and safety practices related to COVID-19

Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) policy on the COVID-19 pandemic

The OHRC’s policy statement on the COVID-19 pandemic reads "that negative treatment of employees who have, or are perceived to have, COVID-19, for reasons unrelated to public health and safety, is discriminatory and prohibited under the Code. Employers have a duty to accommodate employees in relation to COVID-19, unless it would amount to undue hardship based on cost, or health and safety."

The OHRC wrote to urge governments and agencies to adopt a human rights-based approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic. To assist us, the OHRC has created these resources:

1. Policy Statement on a human rights-based approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic;
2. Actions consistent with a human rights-based approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic;
3. COVID-19 and Ontario's Human Rights Code - Questions and Answers.

Workers who believe that they are being discriminated against can contact their union, human resources department and/or the Ontario Human Rights Legal Support Centre at 1-866-625-5179.        

Additional Resources

• NBPSDHU: COVID-19
  
• NBPSDHU: Mental Health & COVID-19
• Health Canada
  
• Ontario Ministry of Health
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Public Health Ontario
• World Health Organization

 Resources

• Indirect Impacts of COVID-19
• COVID-19 Stigma Guide
• COVID-19 Vulnerable Populations
• COVID-19: Precautions When Working As A Social & Community Services Worker
• Emergency Food Programs
• Health and Safety Guidance During COVID-19 For Social & Community Services (Group Homes) Employers
• Additional guidance documents can be found on the Government of Ontario and Ministry of Health’s websites.