Information provided by Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
Due to the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, the Ontario government has placed the province in a modified Step 2 of the Roadmap to Reopen, effective January 5, 2022.
To help you sort through this and a few other recent announcements, please find a summary of key points and helpful links below, as well as some key WSPS operations updates.
Workplace Health & Safety Measures
The Ontario government has amended O. Reg. 263/20 (Rules for Areas at Step 2) under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA) to apply additional or modified public health and workplace safety measures, effective Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
Find out the latest public health and workplace safety measures, advice and restrictions here.
Testing
In late December 2021 changes were made to testing and contact management guidelines.
- Symptomatic testing will be available for high-risk individuals, and individuals who work in high-risk settings.
- Individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are presumed positive and they should follow isolation and/or self-monitoring guidelines.
- Testing for asymptomatic contacts of cases is generally no longer recommended, except for high-risk contacts/individuals that are part of confirmed or suspected outbreaks in high-risk settings, as recommended by public health.
- Positive rapid antigen tests will no longer require PCR confirmation.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 you are to assume that you may have the virus and may be contagious.
Additional information can be found here:
Isolation
Self-isolation when sick or after exposure is an important way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In late December 2021, new guidance was released.
You must isolate if you:
- have symptoms of COVID-19.
- have tested positive for COVID-19.
You may need to isolate if you were exposed to someone who has COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19.
Based on the latest scientific evidence, individuals with COVID-19 should isolate for five days if they are fully vaccinated or under the age of 12, and if their symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours.*
* Isolation instructions vary based on a variety of factors, including vaccination status, age, employment in high risk settings, overall health, etc.
Detailed instructions related to isolation can be found here: What to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 (Ontario.ca)
COVID-19 Safety Plan Checklist for Workplaces
Employers must prepare for workers to be ill and a need to self-isolate during this time, including how they will:
- Manage their operations without them
- Support workers self-isolating (e.g. flexible scheduling, information about leaves and financial support, etc.)
- Notify workers or patrons who may have been exposed in the workplace.
The COVID-19 Safety Plan Checklist for Workplaces can help!
Be sure to visit WSPS.ca to learn more about how we can help you protect your people and create a safer workplace.