Business owners must take precautions during this COVID-19 pandemic to protect their customers, employees and themselves. Employers must review workplace health and safety guidance and ensure that appropriate measures are in place. People are still encouraged to work from home as much as possible.
For more questions on how your business can operate safely during this time, please call the CK Public Health COVID-19 intake line at 519.355.1071 ext 1900.
Free Rapid Tests for Organizations
From the provincial antigen screening program for employers with more than 150 employees
Learn MoreWorkplace Information
Enhanced vaccine certificates with QR codes
Beginning October 15, you can get a new, enhanced vaccine certificate with a QR code that businesses and organizations can scan using the Verify Ontario app. The enhanced vaccine certificate is an easier and more convenient way to have your proof of vaccination verified.
You do not need to download an app. You only need the QR code from the provincial vaccine portal.
To ensure a smooth user experience, the province is initially making the enhanced certificates available for download in cohorts. Enhanced vaccine certificates will be made available for download over 3 days, based on the month you were born:
- October 15, 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: All individuals born between January and April
- October 16 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: All individuals born between May and August
- October 17, 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: All individuals born between September to December
Starting October 18 at 6:00 a.m., the portal will open for any individual to download your enhanced vaccine certificate, regardless of your birth month. You can also call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to have your enhanced vaccine certificate emailed or mailed to you.
You can save the electronic version of your vaccine certificate with a QR code to your phone or print a paper copy. Businesses must accept both electronic and paper versions.
Although the current vaccine receipt without a QR code remains valid and will continue to be accepted,you are encouraged to download your enhanced vaccine certificate with a QR code as an easier, more secure and convenient way to have your proof of vaccination verified.
You will need to continue to show a piece of identification with your name and date of birth along with your proof of vaccination when visiting select businesses and organizations.
Additional Resources
- Using your Enhanced Vaccine Certificate: Frequently Asked Questions
- Ontario Releasing Guidance to Support Proof of Vaccination Policy
- Using your Vaccination Receipt: Frequently Asked Questions
Verify Ontario app information for businesses and organizations of all sizes
Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen is a three-step plan to safely and gradually lift public health measures. To learn about the general public health and workplace safety measures for STEP 3, visit CK Public Health’s CURRENT LEVEL PAGE.
CK Public Health information for Food Premises and Personal Service Settings
Most businesses are required to have a safety plan and must make it available upon request. To determine if your workplace is required to have a workplace safety plan, visit Ontario’s COVID-19 public health measures and advice.
Resources:
Screening for staff
Staff must complete a health screening questionnaire before going to work each day, even if they have been vaccinated.
- Screening can be completed online prior to entering the workplace using Ontario’s worker and employee screening tool.
- In-person screening can be completed on paper by printing a PDF version of the Ontario’s worker and employee screening tool (found at the bottom of the page).
Screening for customers
Some businesses or organizations are required to conduct active screening of all patrons, even if they are vaccinated, before entering.
- Screening can be completed using Ontario’s customer screening tool (printable version is available at the bottom of the page).
Businesses and organizations that are not required to conduct active screening of patrons, are required to post a sign at all entrances informing people to screen themselves.
Resources:
The Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce has free Rapid Antigen Screening Kits available for small- to medium-sized businesses (up to 150 employees). For more information, visit the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce website.
For businesses or organizations with over 150 employees, learn about rapid antigen testing and find out if your organization is eligible to access free test kits, by visiting Ontario’s website.
Resources:
The Government of Ontario has created a guide for businesses to create a COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan. In addition, workplaces must screen their employees to hinder the spread of COVID-19 at work.
See the 'Guidance Documents' tab below for sector-specific information.
See our Stop the Spread page for more prevention resources.
Practice physical distancing.
- Make virtual work arrangements wherever possible;
- If work from home is not an option, keep at least 2 metres or 6 feet (the legnth of a hockey stick) between staff;
- Have customers maintain a distance of at least 2-metres or 6ft (away from each other, and other employees at all times;
- Non-medical masks must be worn anytime where physical distancing cannot be adhered to;
- Encourage waiting customers to leave and wait in their vehicles instead of sitting at tables or in waiting areas;
- Create physical lines or barriers for customers to stand behind or away from each other;
- Do not shake hands, hug or come into close contact with your customers or other employees.
- Consider operating by appointment and/or recording each patron's name and contact information for the purpose of contract tracing
Ensure employees who should are self-isolating.
- Employees who are feeling unwell and have respiratory symptoms (coughing, runny nose) should stay home 14 days and self isolate up to 24 hours after symptoms have resolved, which ever is longer.
- Screen employees that have been travelling. Anyone who has returned to Canada by air, sea or land is to self-isolate for 14 days whether or not they you have symptoms of COVID-19. THIS IS MANDATORY. See the 'Information for Travellers' page for more details.
Ensure customers who are ill are not entering your business.
- Advise customers who are feeling unwell and have respiratory symptoms (coughing, runny nose) or who have traveled internationally and are self isolating, to reschedule appointments to when they are feeling better or past their self-isolation date.
Encourage hand-washing & clean frequently used surfaces.
- Encourage hand washing and use of hand sanitizers for all employees.
- For retail environments, providing hand washing stations or hand sanitizers is welcomed but is not mandatory.
- Perform routine cleaning focusing on surfaces that are more likely to be touched by employees and customers. Sufficient routine cleaning consists of using soap and water followed by a disinfectant with a DIN number.
COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces
COVID-19 Screening Tool for Customers
CK Public Health Workplace COVID-19 Infographic
Public Health Ontario Mask Use for Non-Healthcare workers
Public Health Ontario Cover Your Cough
Guidance for All Workplaces
Find more guidelines on the Government of Ontario website.
Guide to Developing your Workplace Safety Plan (Government of Ontario)
Document d'orientation sur la COVID-19: lieux de travail essentials (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Workplace Outbreak Guidance (Ontario Ministry of Health)
COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces (Government of Ontario)
New PPE requirements
Food Server Eye Protection Graphic
Agriculture
Medical Officer of Health: Class (Agricultural Operations) Order (June 24, 2020)
Ontario Agricultural Health & Safety During COVID-19 (Government of Ontario)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Agricultural Workers During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Agricultural Supervisors During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Transportation of Workers to Work Locations During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance for Employers of Temporary Foreign Workers (Employment & Social Development Canada)
Guidance for Temporary Foreign Workers (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Child Care
Precautions When Working as Childcare Provider (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Health & Safety Guidance During COVID-19 for Employers of Child Care Centers (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Child Care Reopening Guidance (Ontario)
Commercial Industrial
Guidance on Health and Safety for the Commercial Industrial Sector During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Conservation
Guidance During COVID-19 for Conservation & Fisheries Employers (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Precautions When Working As A Conservation & Fisheries Worker (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Construction
Construction Site Health & Safety During COVID-19 (Government of Ontario)
Constructors Responding to a Potential COVID-19 Exposure (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on Worker Responsibilities with COVID-19 (Symptoms or Exposure) on Construction Sites (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on Construction Supervisor Responsibilities (COVID-19 Symptoms or Exposures)(Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Tips (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety)
Guidance on On-Site Sanitation During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on Construction Facility Hygiene During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on Tool Sharing Constructor/Employer Procedure During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on PPE (cleaning respirators) During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on Construction Site Trailers During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on COVID-19 Screening (Checklist) (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on End of Shift Best Practices (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
First Responders
Guidance During COVID-19 for Firefighters (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Guidance for Paramedic Services (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Precautions When Working as a Paramedic (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Guidance During COVID-19 for Police Service Workers (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Food Manufacturing & Processing
Food Manufacturing & Processing Health & Safety During COVID-19 (Government of Ontario)
Food Retail
Guidance on Health & Safety for Food Retail During Covid-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Funeral & Bereavement Services
COVID-19 Guidance: Funeral and Bereavement Services (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Funeral Workers During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Healthcare
Note: See our Healthcare and Service Provider page for more resources for healthcare providers.
Operational Requirements for Health Sector Restart (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance for Primary Care Provider in a Community Setting (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance During COVID-19 for Physician and Primary Care Provider Employers (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Guidance for Acute Care (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance During COVID-19 for Acute Care Employers (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Guidance for Visits in Long-Term Care Homes (updated July 15, 2020) (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance for Long-Term Care Homes (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Outbreak Guidance for Long-Term Care Homes (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance During COVID-19 for Long Term Care (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Guidance for Community Labs & Specimen Collection Centres (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance During COVID-19 for Community Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centres (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Precautions When Working as a laboratory Technician or Medical Technologist (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Guidance for Community Pharmacies (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Precautions When Working as a Pharmacist or Pharmacist Assistant (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Guidance for Consumption & Treatment Services (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance for Home & Community Care Providers (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance During COVID-19 for Home Care and Community Services (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Precautions When Working as a Personal Support Worker, Home and Care Provider (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Guidance for Hospice Care (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance for Independent Health Facilities (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance for Labour, Delivery & Newborn Care (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance for Mental Health & Addictions Service Providers in Community Settings (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance for Occupational Health & Safety & Infection prevention & Control (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance During COVID-19 for Foodservice Workers in Healthcare (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Guidance During COVID-19 for Dental Offices (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Guidance for Resuming Visits in Congregate Living Settings(Ontario Ministry of Health)(beginning June 18)
Precautions When Working as a Nurse in Healthcare Settings (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Precautions When Working in Housekeeping and Laundry in Healthcare (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Precautions When Working as a Recreational Worker in a Healthcare Setting (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Precautions When Working in Administration in Healthcare (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Precautions When Working as an Optometrist (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Maintenance Services
Guidance on Home Cleaning & Maintenance During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Lawn Care Workers During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Manufacturing
Manufacturing Health & Safety During COVID-19 (Government of Ontario)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Quality Control Engineers and Technicians During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Supervisors, Production & Operations Management During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Warehouse Workers, Forklift Operators & Material Handlers During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Offices
Guidance on Health & Safety for Office Sector During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Precautions When Working as an Dispatcher Worker (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on Professional Meetings (Government of Ontario)
Personal and Animal Service Settings
PROVINCE WIDE SHUTDOWN Information for Personal Service Settings
Guidance for Personal Service Settings (CK Public Health, updated July 16)
Information & Template for Workplace Safety Plan
Guidance on Health & Safety for Personal Service Settings During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Veterinary Services During COVID-19 (dog walking, grooming, pet boarding, animal care) (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Places of Worship, Religious Services, Rites and Ceremonies
Advice on Religious Services, Rites and Ceremonies ENGLISH (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Advice on Religious Services, Rites and Ceremonies - FRENCH (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Places of Worship During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Recreation
Guidance on Health & Safety for the Golf Course Sector During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Marinas During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance for Outdoor Recreation and Drive-In/Drive-Thru Entertainment Settings During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance for Movie Theaters (Government of Ontario)
Guidance for facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities (Government of Ontario)
Restaurants & Food Premises
Information & Template for Workplace Safety Plan
Patron Log for all colour levels
Restaurant & Food Services Health & Safety During COVID-19 (Government of Ontario)
Restaurant Services, Cooks & Dishwashers (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Restaurant & Food Service: Guidance for Health & Safety (Ministry of Training, Labour and Skills Development)
COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces (Government of Ontario)
Retail
Guidance for Health & Safety During COVID-19 in Retail Settings (Ministry of Training, Labour and Skills Development)
Guidance for Health & Safety for Garden Centre Sector During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance for Health & Safety for Retail General Labour Employees During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance for Health & Safety for Sales and Customer Service Representatives During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Advice for Essential Retailers During COVID-19 Pandemic (Public Health Agency of Canada)
Social & Community Services
Note: See our Healthcare and Service Provider page for more resources for service providers.
Guidance for Congregate Living Settings for Vulnerable Populations (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance for Homeless Shelters (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Infection Prevention & Control Guide for Homelessness Service Settings (Toronto Public Health)
Guidance During COVID-19 for Social & Community Services (Group Homes) (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Guidance for Resuming Visits in Congregate Living Settings(Ontario Ministry of Health)(beginning June 18)
Guidelines for the Safe Collection & Distribution of Food Donations (CK Public Health)
Recommendations for Emergency Food Providers (CK Public Health)
Precautions When Working as a Social & Community Services Worker (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Tourism & Hospitality
Guidance for Hotel Reception, Room Service & Front Line Staff During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Transit
Guidance During COVID-19 for Transit Employers (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Precautions When Working As a Transit Worker (Public Services Health & Safety Association)
Transportation
Guidance on Shipping & Receiving During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Transportation Services Health & Safety During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on Precautions for Transport Drivers During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on Fuelling Vehicles During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on Handling & receiving Packages During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on Cleaning & Sanitizing Inside Your Vehicle During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on Rest Stop Hygiene During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Guidance on Handling Paperwork During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Utilities
Guidance on Performing Powerline Technician Tasks During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Waste Collection Workers Health & Safety During COVID-19 (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association)
Mental Health
Workplace Mental Health Mini Guide
Business Supports
Ontario Together website
Government of Canada Support for Businesses
COVID-19 financial, mental health and other supports.
Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit – find out about paid infectious disease emergency leave available for certain reasons related to COVID-19.
Signage
NEW!
Proof of Vaccination Posters for businesses
Verify Ontario Posters
ENGLISH Results Screen- Black & White
FRENCH Results Screen- Black & White
Signage Questions for Businesses and Organizations
Wearing a Mask: Do’s and Don’ts
Face Covering Signage for Businesses (English)
Posters for employers and employees from the Ontario Government, visit their page for Workplaces.
Screening Signs
CK Public Health Screening Sign for Workplaces - Colour (EN)
CK Public Health Screening Sign for Workplaces -BW (EN)
CK Public Health Screening Sign for Workplaces - Colour (French)
CK Public Health Screening Sign for Workplaces - BW (French)
CK Public Health COVID-19 Screening Poster for Restaurants & Public Places
Safety Signs
CK Public Health Safe Shopping Tips Sign
CK Public Health Safe Shopping Guide
Government of Ontario Hand Washing Sign
CK Public Health Physical Distancing Reminder
Resources in different languages:
- Government of Ontario's COVID-19 website
- Government of Canada list of multilingual resources
Government of Ontario Support for Businesses webpage.
Government of Canada, COVID-19, Being Prepared - 'For workplaces'
Government of Canada, Community-Based Measures to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19