Business owners should be taking precautions during this COVID-19 pandemic to protect their customers, employees and themselves.

Non-essential businesses should close.

On March 24, the Ontario Government ordered non-essential workplaces to close-down. A list of essential workplaces is available here. For more information, see see our Closures, Orders & Recommendations section.

Communication is incredibly important during this time. Please communicate your expectations with your employees and encourage employees to discuss potential issues with you.

Practice physical distancing.

All employers are strongly encouraged to make virtual work arrangements for their employees wherever possible. This will allow those employees the opportunity to limit their daily interactions, care for their children and self isolate.

If working from home is not an option, space should be kept between all staff (at least 2 meters or the length of a hockey stick).

Ensure employees who should are self-isolating.

• Employees who are feeling unwell and have respiratory symptoms (coughing, runny nose) should stay home and self-isolate until 24 hours after their last symptom;
• Starting March 26, 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;
• As of March 17th, ANYONE returning to Canada from outside of the country in the last 14 days, which would make for a return date of March 3rd or later, MUST self isolate for 14 days from the day they arrived back into Canada;
• Anyone who has returned to Canada since March 17th and anyone still trying to get back to Canada must also self isolate for 14 days from the day of their arrival back into Canada. See the ‘Information for Travellers‘ page for more details.

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.

Ensure customers are taking appropriate precautions.

• 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;
• Practice physical distancing;
  • have customers maintain a distance of at least 2-metres  or 6ft (the lenght of a hockey stick) away from each other, and other employees, when waiting in line;
  • encourage waiting customers to leave and wait in their vehicles instead of sitting at tables for take out food;
  • create physical lines or barriers for customers to stand behind or away from each other;
  • distance workers from one another in their workspace;
  • do not shake hands, hug or come into close contact with your customers or other employees.

For more questions on how your business can continue to operate safely during this time, please call the CK Public Health COVID-19 intake line at 519.355.1071 ext 1900.