Can I recall my staff to work?
The updated Ontario public health measures that come into effect under Step Three of Ontario reopening plan (Jan. 31, 2022) will allow certain Ontario businesses such as restaurants, cinemas, gyms, and other indoor public settings, to operate at 50 per cent capacity.

The provision in Step Two required every business to work from home, however, in Step Three the work from home mandate will be lifted.

What steps should I take to secure my office premises?
The first step is to conduct a COVID-19 risk assessment. Based on the risks identified, you should create a COVID-19 workplace safety plan. If you already have a workplace safety plan, you should review and update it.

Ontario requires all businesses that are open to have a written workplace safety plan. Your safety plan should contain information about the safety controls and measures you’ve implemented to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in your workplace. It should be displayed in a place where it can be easily viewed and accessed by your staff.

What is the latest guidance on face masks?
Use of face masks is required in public spaces, vehicles, and the indoor premises of businesses (including those not open to the public), unless exempt due to medical reasons.

It is important that employers have a mask mandate in place, that should be included in the COVID-19 Safety Plan and communicate it to all employees and visitors. Signage notifying all visitors of the mandatory masking requirement should be displayed in your workplace, especially at the entrance. However, a face covering, or mask may be removed while working indoors in an area that allows a distance of at least 2 metres from everyone else around.

Can face shields be used in place of face masks?
As per Ontario government guidance, face shields cannot be used in place of masks. They only provide eye protection and can be used as a substitute for other kinds of eye protection, such as goggles or safety glasses.

How can I carry out active screening for COVID-19 effectively?
Active screening is currently required in select settings, such as malls, personal care services, food, and drink establishments. This might be a new measure for some, but active screenings of staff are now required.
There are several ways you could actively screen your customers and employees depending on the size of your business. You could use an online screening assessment tool, have them fill out a questionnaire, or designate an employee to ask direct questions.

If your business is required to screen customers before they enter your premises, you could ask your customers to fill out the COVID-19 screening questionnaire while making the appointment or at the reception. The questionnaire should confirm whether they have any symptoms or risk factors (such as recent international travel).

You should also have a procedure in place for handling individuals who do not pass the screening. They should not be allowed to enter your worksite. Advise them to return home and contact their health care provider.

As per Ontario’s updated testing rules, symptomatic testing is available only for high-risk individuals, and those who work in high-risk settings.

People who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are presumed positive. They should follow isolation and/or self-monitoring guidelines.

How should employers/employees deal with customers who don’t want to comply with these measures?
Employers should provide employees with training on how to handle a situation where a customer is opposed to being asked the screening questions, without escalating tensions or risking their safety. For situations where customers start getting upset, employees can be trained to remain calm, acknowledge their customers’ concerns and respectfully remind them that the business is only following the law. If the situation continues to escalate, employees should get their managers.

However, it is important to remember that some people may have a medical exemption, in which case they would not have to wear a mask. The business is not allowed to ask for proof, unless it is business where Vaccination Certifications are required to enter, like a restaurant.

My employees work out of a small office. How can I reduce congestion in my workplace?
You should stagger work shifts and lunch breaks to make your workplace safe and congestion free. It’ll allow you to implement physical distancing effectively and prevent crowding in common areas such as elevators, washrooms, kitchen, etc.