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 (see Guidance Documents tab below) and ensure that appropriate measures are in place. People are still encouraged to work from home as much as possible.
Communication is incredibly important during this time. Please communicate your expectations with your employees and customers or clients and encourage them to discuss potential issues with you.
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.
Which businesses can open?
For more information about what is open and what remains closed, see our Closure Updates page.
Government of Ontario List of Essential Businesses
Government of Ontario Reopening Ontario
Government of Ontario Stage 1 Openings
The Government of Ontario has created a guide for businesses to create a COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan.
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.
- 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. 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.
Municipality of Chatham-Kent Workplace PPE Supply Information
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)
Guidance for Essential Workplaces (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Document d’orientation sur la COVID-19: lieux de travail essentials (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Workplace Outbreak Guidance (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Curbside Pickup & Delivery Services During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
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)
Auto
Ontario Guidance on Health & Safety for Vehicle Sales & Service Sector During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Service Managers, Service Technicians and Other Vehicle Sales and Service Employees During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
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)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Equipment Operators & General Labourers During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
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 Stock, Produce, Meat, or Grocery Associates During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
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 Equipment Operators & General Labourers During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
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)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Warehousing Sector During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Offices
Guidance on Health & Safety for Office Sector During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance on Health & Safety for Office Administration and Secretarial Staff 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
Guidance for Personal Service Settings (CK Public Health, updated July 16)
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
Stage 2 Re-Opening Places of Worship (CK Public Health)
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
Guidelines for Food Premises (updated July 31, 2020) CK Public Health)
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)
Best Practices Summary Sheet for Food Premises (Ontario Ministry of Health)
Retail
Guidance for Health & Safety During COVID-19 in Retail Settings (Ministry of Training, Labour and Skills Development)
Guidance for Health & Safety for Cashiers During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
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 Health & Safety for Tourism & Hospitality Sector During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance for Hotel Reception, Room Service & Front Line Staff During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Guidance for Hotel Housekeeping and Laundry 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 for Health & Safety for Drivers & Truck Drivers During COVID-19 (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
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)
Signage
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
Mental Health
See our Mental Health Resources (scroll down to tabs at bottom)
Business Supports
Chatham-Kent Economic Development COVID-19 Business Resources
Ontario Together website
Order
Medical Officer of Health: Class (Agricultural Operations) Order (June 24, 2020)
Guidance Documents
Government of Canada Guidance for Employers of Temporary Foreign Workers
Government of Ontario Guidance for Temporary Foreign Workers
Resources
About Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
About the Coronavirus Disease SPANISH
Preventing COVID-19 In the Workplace: Employers, Employees and Essential Service Workers
CK Public Health Guide to Self-Isolate at Home
CK Public Health Guide to Self-Isolate at Home SPANISH
COVID-19 & Substance Use SPANISH
Avoid touching your face SPANISH
How to Care for Someone with COVID-19
How to Care for Someone with COVID-19 SPANISH
Canada list of multilingual CK resources
For concerns related to seasonal housing accommodations, please call the Healthy Environments Team 519.355.1071 x.2902.
Thank you to our partners at Adult Language & Learning for translating these 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