Ontario COVID Re-Opening
As regions start allowing workplaces and businesses to re-open with restrictions, ensure that you are aware of the church’s obligation as a workplace and meeting place. Review the Ontario Ministry of Health requirements and your local Public Health Unit guidance.
Ontario Ministry of Health Issued Updated Screening Questions for Work Places on February 10, 2021
Inspectors have been checking workplaces to ensure that screening occurs and is documented, as well as, to see the workplace COVID-19 Plan. The person responsible for a business or organization that is permitted to be open must ensure that workers are screened for COVID-19 before they go to work or start their shift each day. Screening should occur before or immediately upon arrival at the workplace at the beginning of the worker’s shift or workday. This screening tool can be completed either online before going to work or on-site before starting the workday. A worker may only enter the workplace if they have passed the screening. Anyone who does not pass screening should be advised not to enter the workplace and that they should self-isolate, ideally at home, and call their health care provider or Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000) to get advice or an assessment, including if they need a COVID-19 test.
Additionally, the Ontario Ministry of Health offered updated questions for screening people who come into the building for services and meetings.
Use the following link to build your workplace COVID-19 safety plan: https://www.ontario.ca/page/develop-your-covid-19-workplace-safety-plan
Ontario Province-Wide Shutdown
On January 12, the Ontario government declared a second provincial COVID-19 emergency stay-at-home order and enhanced enforcement measures to reduce mobility. This is in response to the threat to the province’s hospital system and alarming risks to long-term care homes.
The state of emergency is effective as of January 13 at 12:01am and includes a decreased limit of five people at outdoor organized public gatherings. Individuals are required to wear a mask or face covering in the indoor areas of businesses or organizations that are open. Wearing a mask or face covering is now recommended outdoors when you can’t physically distance more than two metres.
Effective January 14 at 12:01am, the government is issuing a stay-at-home order requiring everyone to remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for essential work. All businesses must ensure that any employee who can work from home, does work from home.
Schools and child care centres in Windsor-Essex, Peel, Toronto, York and Hamilton will not return to in-person instruction until February 10, 2021.
The province has declared new enforcement measures, providing authority to all enforcement and provincial offences officers, including the OPP, local police forces, bylaw officers, and provincial workplace inspectors to issue tickets to individuals who do not comply.
Toronto Public Health Workplace Measures
On January 4th, Toronto Public Health advised workplaces to report outbreaks of two or more people who test positive. They will be sharing information with the public on workplace outbreaks in an effort to limit COVID-19 spread. Updated workplace safety guide is provided, including minimizing employees travelling together in a car and maintaining physical distancing within the work environment. Please
click here for more information.
Changes in Gathering Limits in Ontario
Wondering what the recent changes in gathering limits in Ontario mean for your church? You can read the details from the Ontario government webpage here. Still have questions? We recommend you reach out to your local public health unit and/or local MP for further guidance, as needed.
Caring for You, Our Family of Churches, During the Pandemic
