Workplaces and Businesses

On this page:

• Information for Employers
• Masks Required
• Employer Toolkit & Communications Resources 
• Sector-specific guidance and resources 

Information for Employers

To prevent the potential spread of COVID-19, it is important for all workplaces to take proactive steps to protect our community. We all have a role to play in keeping employees, clients, and volunteers safe and healthy.

All businesses are required to read the framework and its accompanying regulation in order to determine what actions they must take.

The stay at home order is no longer in place; however, allowing employees to work from home when possible is still recommended.

Masks required

By law, masks are required in all indoor public spaces. Masks are also required when physical distancing is difficult and in indoor workplaces. Masks should be tightly fitted to cover the nose, mouth and chin.
Organizations are required to have a policy in place that mandates staff and members of the public to wear a mask indoors. Businesses and organizations are expected to implement and enforce their mask policy in good faith. 

Click here for more information about masks, including details for businesses and customers.

If you enter a business without a mask and you are not exempt, you can receive a ticket. For more information about this regulation, click here. 

Employer Toolkit & Communications resources

Letters to businesses

Click here for previous letters from the Health Unit to businesses about guidance regarding COVID-19. 

If you would like to receive these letters and are not currently on our business list, please email coter@timiskaminghu.com to be added. 

Required signage, policies, and safety plan

Employers’ signage, policies, and plans must be consistent with the government of Ontario’s COVID-19 framework and its accompanying regulation. The resources linked below were developed by the Timiskaming Health Unit and the Government of Ontario to help businesses meet these requirements. The set fines for failing to comply with any section of the re-opening Ontario act start at $750. Lack of a safety plan and screening poster have been common ticketed infractions during safety blitzes in other areas of the province.

The following checklist includes signage, policies, and plans that are required for all employers:

• Mask required signage (Poster updated January 21, 2021. Must be posted at all entrances.)
  
• Entrance Screening for COVID-19 (Poster. Must be posted at all entrances.)
  
• Daily worker and employee screening (Government of Ontario screening tool updated February 19, 2021.)
  
• Mask policy (Sample policy)
  
• Safety plan (Guide and checklist for completing your safety plan. Safety plans must be in writing and posted in a conspicuous location.)

Information about masks

• Sample mask policy for businesses, employers, and operators
  
• More information about masks
  

Posters: Entrance

• Mask or Face Covering Required
• Entrance Screening for COVID-19 
• Protect yourself and others
• Be COVID-Smart (public health measures)
  

Posters: Staff spaces

• Handwashing
• Workplace Checklist - COVID-19
  

Sector-specific guidance and resources

Guidance for all sectors

• Resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace (Government of Ontario)
• Enhancing public health and workplace safety measures in the provincewide shutdown (Government of Ontario)
• Develop your COVID-19 workplace safety plan (Government of Ontario) 
• Screening form for workers and employees (Government of Ontario). PDF version
  
• Screening form for customers (Government of Ontario) PDF version

Resources for all sectors

• Risk-informed decision-making for workplaces/businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic – Government of Canada 
• Managing through COVID-19: How to support your employees’ mental health - Ottawa Public Health
• Environmental Cleaning fact sheet – Public Health Ontario 
• Help for businesses to obtain PPE supplies – Government of Ontario 
• Infection Prevention and Control at Work: Basic Awareness Training (Public Services Health & Savety Association)

• Health care provider alerts

Municipalities

• Evidence and Promising Practices for Management of Outdoor Recreation and Active Travel Spaces during COVID-19: A guidance document for municipalities in Timiskaming

Personal service settings

• Personal service settings regulation (Government of Ontario) 

Religious services, rites, and ceremonies

• Ministry of Health Guidance document

Fitness facilities, group fitness, and personal training

• Guidance for Reopening Fitness Facilities, and Resuming Group Fitness & Personal Training
• Sport and Activity-specific Considerations for Facility Operators 
• Return to Sport and Recreation - Guidance for Participants 
• Guidelines for Recreational Water Facilities 
• Return to Sport & Recreation - Guidance for Associations, Coaches, and Volunteers
• Return to Organized Sport and Recreation Plan Template
• National and provincial sport organizations
  

Cooling rooms

• Guidance for Cooling Rooms: Landlords and Owners
• Guidance for Cooling Centres: Public Spaces 
  

Taxi services, volunteer drivers, and passengers

• Transportation Guidance 
• Guidance for Passengers
• Evidence and Promising Practices for Safe Management of Passenger Transportation Services during COVID-19: Guidance to support transportation in Timiskaming
  

Hunting camps and lodges

• Safer COVID-19 hunting practices

Manufacturing

• Provincial guidance document English | French 

Short-term rentals and cabins

• Hotel reception, room service and front line staff

Community gardens

• Fact sheet for coordinators
• Fact sheet for gardeners
  

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