Last updated: February 25, 2021 at 5:40 p.m.
A province-wide declaration of emergency and stay-at-home order are in effect.
On January 4, 2021, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health issued a Letter of Instruction to all employers in the City of Toronto permitted to be open under the Reopening Ontario Act. Employers permitted to be open are required to take the additional measures set out in this Letter to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Download printable posters and information cards for your setting and learn about supports available for businesses.
On January 4, 2021, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health issued a Letter of Instruction to all employers in the city of Toronto permitted to be open under the Reopening Ontario Act. These employers are required to take the additional measures set out in this Letter to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
This factsheet will help employers understand their responsibility to notify Toronto Public Health (TPH) about COVID-19 cases in the workplace, and how workplace outbreak information will be disclosed to the public.
Employers must immediately notify Toronto Public Health via the Workplace Reporting Tool as soon as they become aware of two or more people who test positive for COVID-19 within a
14-day interval in connection with their workplace premises.
Report cases of COVID-19 in the workplace using the COVID-19 Workplace Reporting Tool.
Joe’s Auto Shop |
Winnie’s Green Grocer |
---|---|
Employee Susanna tested positive for COVID-19 on January 2. Co-op student Preya tested positive for COVID-19 on January 9. ✓ Two people tested positive within a 14-day period ✓ Both Susanna and Preya work at the Leaside auto shop location Joe must notify TPH immediately. |
Ahmed works at 200 Warden Ave., and tested positive for COVID-19 on February 15. Ilana works at 96 Jane St., and tested positive for COVID-19 on February 28. ✓ Two people tested positive within a 14- day period ✘ Ahmed and Ilana work at different grocery locations Winnie does not need to notify TPH. |
On January 18, 2021, the Toronto Board of Health requested the Medical Officer of Health to publicly post the names of workplaces with COVID-19 outbreaks on a weekly basis.
Have questions? Call Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 (8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.).
As health authorities around the world take action to contain the spread of COVID-19, employers must also play a role in stopping the spread of this disease. This guidance document describes the requirements of employers as per provincial regulations and local orders and directives. It also provides simple strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace to keep everyone safe. These strategies can and should be adapted to meet the unique needs of every workplace. Additional guidance for various sectors are found in the Other Resources section at the end of this document.
On January 4, 2021, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health issued a Letter of Instruction to all employers in the City of Toronto permitted to be open under the Reopening Ontario Act. Employers permitted to be open are required to take the additional measures set out in this Letter to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
New measures businesses and workplaces should be aware of include:
Employer Responsibilities
|
Employee Responsibilities
|
---|---|
|
|
The person responsible for the business or organization must comply with any advice, recommendations, and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health on screening employees and patrons (O Reg 82/20).
Note: Some businesses which have patrons entering for limited exceptions are also required to maintain contact information for all patrons/visitors who enter their facility, including:
The use of non-medical masks or face coverings is required in all indoor public spaces, under a new City of Toronto bylaw and O. Reg. 82/20.
As health authorities around the world take action to contain the spread of COVID-19, employers must also play a role in stopping the spread of this disease. This guidance document provides simple strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace to keep everyone safe. The strategies can and should be adapted to meet the unique needs of every workplace. Additional guidance for various sectors are found in the Other Resources section at the end of this document.
On January 4, 2021, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health issued a Letter of Instruction to all employers in the City of Toronto permitted to be open under the Reopening Ontario Act. Employers permitted to be open are required to take the additional measures set out in this Letter to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Employer Responsibilities |
Employee Responsibilities
|
---|---|
|
|
Under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 a business or organization may be required to prepare and make available a safety plan. The plan must:
Assign a lead person who is responsible for developing, implementing and updating, as needed, your workplace safety plan. Review the COVID-19 Safety Plan Instructions for more information on how to complete this checklist.[1]
Business name: __________________________________________________________________________________________
Developed by: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Date completed: _________________________________________________________________________________________
The person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall operate the business or organization in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health on screening employees and patrons for COVID-19.
The person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall operate the business or organization in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting.
The person responsible for a place of business or facility that is open to the public shall limit the number of persons in the place of business or facility so that:
The person responsible for a business or place that is open must not permit patrons to line up inside the business or place, or to line up or congregate outside of the business or place, unless they are:
The person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall ensure that any person in the indoor area of the premises of the business or organization, or in a vehicle that is operating as part of the business or organization, wears a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their nose, mouth, and chin during any period when they are in the indoor area, unless they are entitled to an exception.
A person shall wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that provides protection of the person’s eyes, nose and mouth if, in the course of providing services, the person:
PPE is needed for the following:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Actions: (List your actions here. Note who is responsible for each action.)
The person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall operate the business or organization in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting.
The person responsible for a business or place that is open shall ensure that:
This applies to computers, electronics and other machines or devices that members of the public are permitted to operate.
Post this snapshot in a place where it can be seen easily by your employees, patrons and other people entering the business or organization. This will help them know what actions are being taken in your business or organization to protect them from COVID-19.
Business name: _________________________________________________________________________________________
Date completed: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Division/group: _________________________________________________________________________________________
Revision date: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
[1] The checklist has been adapted from information provided by the Province of Ontario. It should not be used as or considered legal advice. Businesses and organizations seeking legal advice should consult with a qualified legal professional.
[2] Active screening: A live or virtual screener is used to collect and review an individual’s screening responses, and determines whether a person may enter the business/organization.
Passive screening: People screen themselves using a screening poster or sign as a guide, and make the decision themselves if they should enter the business/organization.
This document provides background information and instructions on how to complete the COVID-19 Safety Plan Checklist .[1]
Under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, businesses or organizations may be required to prepare and make available a safety plan. The plan must:
Owners, operators and employers of businesses, workplaces and organizations in the City of Toronto can use the checklist to document how their business or organization will keep staff and other people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once completed, the checklist can serve as the required COVID-19 safety plan.
As an employer, it is your responsibility under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect a worker. As every organization is different, it is the responsibility of the owner/operator, management and staff to review their own policies, procedures, and site-specific operations, while ensuring that the appropriate infection prevention and control measures are implemented and maintained.
The guide does not replace the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations and should not be used as or considered legal advice. Businesses and organizations seeking legal advice should consult with a qualified legal professional.
This will help to ensure that everyone understands how you plan to manage the risks of contracting COVID-19 in your workplace.
For more information visit our website at toronto.ca/COVID19 or call us at 416-338-7600.
[1] The checklist has been adapted from information provided by the Province of Ontario.
Once Toronto Public Health begins an investigation with your setting, you will be asked to complete the “Information about COVID-19 cases/contacts at your setting” form within 24 hours of the investigation beginning. Workplace and community setting representatives should complete this document providing the requested information for all COVID-19 cases and contacts at your setting. Please complete this document to the best of your ability. If you have any questions about this document and how to complete it, please contact your assigned Communicable Disease Investigator (CDI). Please submit the completed document to your assigned CDI.
Under the Reopening Ontario Act, the use of masks or face coverings is mandatory in all indoor public settings across Ontario. Wearing a mask or face covering is also mandatory in a vehicle that is operated as part of a business or organization. Read the Province of Ontario regulations for full details.
In addition to provincial regulations on mandatory mask or face coverings, the City of Toronto By-law 541-2020 and City of Toronto By-law 664-20 require a mask or face covering to be worn in all indoor public spaces in Toronto and in common areas in apartments and condominiums.
More information about masks and face coverings is available here.
The following checklist will help business operators comply with the City of Toronto by-laws. Operators can use and adapt the sample policy as appropriate for their organization.
Have questions? Call Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 (8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.).
All employees, visitors, patrons and tenants are required to wear a mask or face covering upon entering and remaining within any enclosed public space or common area of [name of Establishment]. The mask or face covering must cover the nose, mouth and chin.
Employees must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (i.e. surgical/procedure mask and eye protection (goggles or face shield) that provides protection of their eyes, nose and mouth) if, while in an indoor area, they:
Temporary removal of the mask is permitted where necessary for the purposes of:
The following people are exempted from requiring a mask or face covering and will not be required to provide proof of such exemption:
Operators must ensure that employees are aware of and understand all components of this policy. Operators must ensure that employees are trained on implementing this policy, including how to respond to various circumstances, should they arise, such as:
Operators must ensure that a sign about the by-law is posted at all entrances of the premise in a manner that is visible to the public. A mandatory mask or face covering poster is available in English and other languages to download, print and post.
Employees must ensure that they review and understand this policy. Employees must follow and implement this policy, as described.
This policy has been created in compliance with the City of Toronto By-law 541-2020 and/or City of Toronto By-law 664-20.
Download this information as a fillable PDF.