The Province of Nova Scotia has released the Order By the Medical Officer of Health Under Section 32 of the Health Protection Act. This Order details the specific requirements for residents and businesses to follow during the current COVID-19 Pandemic.
At this point, government is not declaring any businesses as essential services. All businesses (except those directed to close by Public Health) can remain open if they can follow the Public Health directives. Businesses must maintain a social distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between clients and customers. If that isn’t possible, clients and customers must not exceed five (5). In addition, businesses must maintain regular cleaning and disinfecting of workplaces and high-touch areas at least twice a day.
Some businesses that can maintain the social distancing requirements can be exempt from the five-person rule. These include grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, construction and manufacturing, transportation including trucking, rail and transit, financial institutions, agri-food and fish plants. Canadian blood collection clinics are also exempt.
In addition, there are some exemptions for self-isolation and self-quarantine for healthy workers that cross NS border as part of their work. These include the trade or transportation sectors, offshore workers, workers in agri-food and the fish industry, and those workers who cross the NS border on a regular, ongoing basis to travel for work. These individuals must still practice social distancing and self-isolate should COVID-19 symptoms appear.
VIEW FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON ORDER
VIEW THE EMPLOYER ASSESSMENT TOOL TO DETERMINE HOW THE ORDER AFFECTS YOUR BUSINESS
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety has developed a variety of free tip sheets as guidance while operating during a pandemic, including the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Each document offers health and safety tips and good practices, for both employers and workers, specific to each industry or sector. Organizations and businesses can adopt this guidance to protect their workers and prevent the spread of infections. The tip sheets cover a range of occupations and industries from construction and trucking to healthcare and daycares.
The Government of Nova Scotia has created a workplace prevention plan to help guide businesses in preparing their own plan.
The Government of Nova Scotia has created a best practices poster for social distancing and guidelines to live by in order to keep safe and healthy while social distancing.
The poster is available in English, French, Mi’kmaw, Arabic, and Chinese.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada has developed a resource poster for individuals to assess how they are doing, and some tips on how to cope.
The NS Labour Standards Code provides job protection for employees who are unable to perform work due to an emergency as defined under the Code. Emergency includes a direction or order of a medical officer − or a public health emergency declared − under the Health Protection Act. Emergency leave extends to individuals who need to care for a family member affected by an order or direction under that Act. Those who have specific questions about pay, job security and layoffs should contact the department’s Labour Standards Division.
May 3-10 is Safety and Health Week – a time to focus on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community. The COVID-19 pandemic has meant a shift in the way many of us work and will continue to transform how we focus on workplace safety over the months ahead. The Workers’ Compensation Board has a number of materials available online to help employers communicate work safety during the COVID pandemic.
Construction Safety Nova Scotia has developed a tool kit is to provide recommendations and resources to the construction industry for operating safely during the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with Nova Scotia’s Health Protection Act.
Build Right Nova Scotia has developed a COVID-19 Safety and Prevention Measures Guide to help businesses and employees ensure safe work procedures are developed and followed in relation to working during the pandemic.
As Canada’s industries return to work, there is an increased demand for PPE. The Rapid Response Platform automatically matches supply with demand, simplifying supplier discovery during the procurement process.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has compiled a thorough Frequently Asked Questions list around understanding Mortgage Payment Deferral for Canadian homeowners. Homeowners facing financial stress may be eligible for a mortgage payment deferral up to 6 months to help ease the financial burden and application can be made at any time during this outbreak.
The Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia has also developed a Safety and Prevention Measures document to guide businesses in protecting workers, their families, and the community from possible infection and illness.
P&G Professional developed a document to provide cleaning and disinfecting information, guidelines, and hygienic practices that may be necessary to reopen a hospitality establishment during COVID-19.
The World Health Organization has created a guide to getting your workplace ready for COVID-19 with tips on preventing the spread and managing risks when organizing meetings and events.