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COVID-19 Information for employers and employees

 

Due to latest COVID-19 guidance from the Ministry of Health, the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit will only be following up with COVID-19 cases in highest-risk settings. Highest risk settings include:  

 

  • Hospital including complex continuing care facilities and Congregate living settings (e.g. Long-Term Care,  retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, hospital schools and correctional institutions  

Paramedic service workers, are considered highest risk groups for the purposes of molecular testing eligibility and guidance on return to work. However, they are not considered part of highest risk settings. 

 

For more information on highest risk settings click here. The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit will also be following up with COVID-19 cases among temporary foreign workers in congregate living settings. For more information regarding cases on farms click here. All other businesses, workplaces, and settings are considered non-highest risk. 

 

 

COVID-19 Screening Requirements

 

The Government of Ontario has created a self-assessment tool for screening questions: 

 
COVID-19 Vaccine Policy Information for Businesses, Workplaces, and Employees

 

Businesses and workplaces have a responsibility to provide a safe work environment for employees and volunteers. The COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect your workplace from the risks of COVID-19. Click here for more information on COVID-19 Workplace Immunization Policies.

Managing COVID-19 in the Workplace

If you are a business or workplace not included in the highest-risk settings mentioned above, review the information below for how to manage COVID-19 symptoms, cases, and exposures within your business/workplace.

Please note, workers may be required to self-isolate because of potential exposure, infection and/or COVID-19 symptoms.

I have an employee, who has symptoms without any known exposure to COVID-19, what should they do?

 

Employees who have COVID-19 symptoms, feel sick or are unwell should: 

 

  • Stay home when sick until
    • Their symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours for nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea), and 
    • They do not have a fever, and 
    • They do not develop any additional symptoms 
  • Notify their workplace and let them know they are self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms. 

  Employees may complete the Ontario Self-Assessment for further direction. 
I have an employee, who has been identified as a close contact/exposed to COVID-19. What should they do?

 

  • For 10 days following the last exposure: 
    • Self-monitor for symptoms. Stay home (self-isolate) immediately if they develop any symptoms of COVID-19 and seek testing if eligible 
    • wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings (including school and child care) 
    • avoid non-essential activities where you need to take off your mask (for example, dining out) 
    • avoid visiting anyone who is immunocompromised or may be at higher risk of illness (for example, seniors) 
    • avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings such as hospitals and long-term care homes 
How do I know who is a contact?

 

A close contact is: 

 

  • Anyone who has had a high-risk exposure with the COVID-19 positive person (or symptomatic person) 
    • within the 48 hours prior to symptom onset if symptomatic or 48 hours prior to the test date if asymptomatic, and until the positive person started self-isolating; AND 
    • Was less than 2 meters/6 feet from the person who tested positive for COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes for multiple short interactions without measures such as, distancing and/ or use of personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the nature of contact. 

 

Some examples of high-risk situations in the workplace include:

 

  • Physical contact such as shaking someone’s hand, being sneezed or coughed on 
  • Working in the same office space 
  • Sharing lunch or break rooms 
  • Providing care to someone 
I have an employee who has tested positive for COVID-19 on a PCR and/or rapid antigen test (RAT), what should I do?

 

  • Asymptomatic with positive COVID-19 test do not need to isolate 
  • Encourage staff to self-screen before coming to work and stay home upon developing any symptom of COVID-19 

 

Decrease the risk of contact: 

 

  • Follow all public health guidelines including; get vaccinated, using masks, maintaining physical distance 
  • Encourage employees to clean their hands frequently and when needed 
  • Increase fresh air through ventilation systems, opening windows and using outdoor spaces where possible 
  • Increase cleaning and disinfection 
  • Provide access to hand sanitizer, soap, and water 

 

Post signage to remind employers of: 

 

  • Physical distancing  
  • Screening and self-assessment 
  • Wearing masks 
  • Staying safe during breaks 
  • Hand hygiene 
  • Know when and how to report to the Ministry of Labor, Training, and Skills Development (MLTSD) and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) 

 
Should I ask employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 to provide a negative test result in order to return to the workplace?

 

Workers do not need a negative COVID-19 test to return to the workplace after completing the full self-isolation period.

 

 

Want more information?

Case and Contact Management

Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario August 31, 2022 (Version 15) 

 

Workplace Resources

COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan

COVID-19 Safety Checklist for Workplaces

Resources for Preventing COVID-19 in the Workplace

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

 

Last updated 05/30/2023