FAQs & Other Information on COVID-19 and the Workplace

• Businesses and organizations are required to ensure that their employees work remotely unless the nature of their work requires them to be on-site.
• Develop a COVID-19 Workplace Safety plan that outlines the specific controls that will be put into place to make the workplace safer for everyone. Consider using the COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan information and template.
• Institute a Workplace COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for workers. Visit the Toronto Public Health Vaccination Information for Employers page for guidance.
• Adhere to the public health and safety protocols that have been developed for various workplace settings by the Ministry of Health and industry partners. Guidelines and posters are available at: Resources to Prevent COVID-19 in the Workplace.
• Follow the requirements for mandatory masks. The Ontario Government currently mandates the use of masks/face coverings in the indoor premises of all businesses and organizations (including a business vehicle), with some exceptions. TBDHU’s Instruction Letter to Employers, Business Owners and Operators for mandatory masks/face coverings also remains in effect. Where there are differences between the regulation and TBDHU’s instruction letter, whichever is the stricter expectation will be required. For details, visit the Mandatory Masks Directive for Businesses and Organizations page.
• Ensure all infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures are in place. Detailed information for workplaces on screening, hand washing, cough etiquette, environmental cleaning, physical distancing and masks is available on the Prevention at Work page.
• Review infection prevention and control/occupational health and safety policies and procedures specific to your workplace/sector with all employees. Place reminders for workers throughout the workplace in appropriate places, such as screening posters at entrances, hand washing posters at sinks, etc. Printable Posters and Tools are available. Businesses are encouraged to check the signage at entrances often to make sure they are using the most current version.
• Instruct workers to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and remind them of the importance of not being at work if they are ill.
• Where the risk of COVID-19 cannot be sufficiently reduced by other methods and personal protective equipment (PPE) is required, provide adequate training on the care, use and limitations of PPE, including how to put on and take off, and when to perform hand hygiene.
  • Visit the Workplace PPE Supplier Directory for information on Ontario companies and business associations that are ready to supply personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Update corporate policies and inform employees about any changes, particularly those regarding sick leave and leave to care for family members.
• Provide adequate training for people who may have to cover the job duties of others.

• Keep workers informed of what is being done in the workplace to ensure health and safety. 
• Encourage workers to maintain a positive workplace culture and to treat each other with respect. 
• Address any fears or concerns.  Acknowledge how COVID-19 may have had an impact on the team, productivity, and morale.
• Visit our Mental Health at Work page for more tips on protecting workers’ psychological health.

• Follow all infection prevention and control measures:
  • Wash your hands frequently (or use hand sanitizer), especially after using the washroom, before eating, and after touching common surfaces such as doorknobs, railings, phones, etc. 
  • Do not touch your eyes, mouth or nose with unclean hands. 
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your upper sleeve or elbow, when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues immediately in a lined wastebasket, then wash your hands.
  • Keep a physical distance of at least 2 metres apart from others.
  • Wear a mask or face covering when required indoors, in business vehicles and public transportation. For more information, visit our Mandatory Masks page.
  • Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that you are responsible for.
• Ask your employer to review with you about what is being done in the workplace to protect the health of staff, clients and customers and follow all safe work procedures.
• Continue to follow all safe work procedures. If you have concerns about health and safety in your workplace, you should follow the same process as what you would have done before, such as talking to your supervisor, a health and safety committee representative, and/or union, or (as a final option) the Ministry of Labour.
• Participate in any training and education your workplace offers and help train others to do aspects of your job if requested.
• If going back to work is causing you anxiety, please reach out to the mental health resources that are available to you either in your community, over the phone or online. A list of services is available at on our Mental Health Support page.

It’s also important to do your part as an employee to protect others at work:

• Stay home (or go home) if you are feeling ill. Be familiar with the symptoms of COVID-19. If you are experiencing symptoms, you and your household members must self-isolate and follow the guidance on the Ministry of Health's What to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 page.
• Inform yourself of workplace policies and procedures regarding leave time so you know what options are available to you if you are not well or you are caring for family members. See also:
  • Ontario infectious disease emergency leave
  • Ontario COVID-19 support for workers
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your upper sleeve or elbow, when you cough or sneeze.  Throw used tissues immediately in a lined wastebasket, then wash your hands.
• Wear a mask/face covering and eye protection when required indoors, in business vehicles and public transportation. For more information, visit our Mandatory Masks page.
• Practice physical distancing even when wearing a mask.

• Employees who develop symptoms at work must inform their supervisor and go home. If they cannot leave immediately, the worker must be isolated in a specific space until they are able to leave. If the worker is very ill, call 911 and let the operator know that the person has symptoms of COVID-19.
• Employers must instruct anyone with symptoms, no matter how mild, to self-isolate immediately. Workers should be referred to the Ministry of Health's What to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 page for guidance on when it is safe to come out of self-isolation and what household contacts should do. Helpful flowcharts are also available from the Ontario Ministry of Health.
  • Workers and volunteers in HIGH-RISK HEALTH CARE SETTING, must follow specific guidance that is listed on What to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 page. These settings/individuals include: hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes, congregate living settings, and health care workers providing care to immunocompromised people. For more detailed guidance, refer to the COVID-19 Integrated Testing & Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge (December 30, 2021).
• If workers experience mild symptoms after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, employers should follow the Guidance for Employers Managing Workers with Symptoms within 48 Hours of COVID-19 Immunization.
• Employees who develop symptoms at home must notify their supervisor and stay home. 
• Employers are not required to advise the health unit when an employee is ill with symptoms related to COVID-19.
• Ensure employees are aware of return-to-work procedures. The criteria for return-to-work for COVID-19 is unique depending on the workplace setting.
• Any coworkers who are concerned about having been in close contact with the individual should contact their worksite occupational health and safety office.

• Remind staff that they should stay home if they are sick. Workers who pass the workplace screen, but who have non-COVID symptoms, should not go to work. All sick individuals with any symptoms of any illness should stay home and seek assessment from their regular health care provider, if required. 
• Once the non-COVID symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours for gastrointestinal symptoms for workers over the age of 18) and the worker feels well enough, they can go back to work; a COVID-19 test is not required. 
• If any COVID-19 symptoms develop, the worker should self-isolate and refer to the Ministry of Health's What to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 page for guidance on when it is safe to come out of self-isolation and what household contacts should do.

• Anyone who tests positive from a PCR test, rapid molecular test or a rapid antigen test, must self-isolate and follow the instructions on the Ministry of Health's What to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 page. 
  • Workers and volunteers in HIGH-RISK HEALTH CARE SETTING, must follow specific guidance that is listed on What to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 page. These settings/individuals include: hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes, congregate living settings, and health care workers providing care to immunocompromised people. For more detailed guidance, refer to the COVID-19 Integrated Testing & Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge (December 30, 2021).
• Once they have met all the criteria to come out of self-isolation, and feel well enough and able, they can return to work. They should communicate with their employer and follow workplace procedures about return-to-work. Please refer to the Ministry of Health's What to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 page for details.
•  Follow public health advice regarding infection prevention and control practices workplaces need to take to reduce the risk of transmission. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces and washing of hands reduces the risk of infection.
• Once a person has recovered from COVID-19, it’s not uncommon to have a mild lingering cough.
• It is important to respect employee privacy and not disclose personal health information to co-workers. 

For information related to accommodation, work refusal, working conditions, etc., visit:

• COVID-19 and Ontario’s Human Rights Code - Questions and Answers
• Ministry of Labour - Workplace Exposure and Illnesses
• Steps to Justice

• Employers are discouraged from asking workers to verify their COVID-19 status with a print-out confirming negative test results in order for them to return to work. If the employee was tested, their verbal confirmation that the results were negative should suffice. If an employee self-isolated for the designated amount of time depending on their situation, a COVID-19 test is not required for them to be considered 'cleared' to return to their regular daily activities.

At this time, siblings, parents/caregivers and other persons in the household of individuals who are isolating because they have symptoms of COVID-19 must also self-isolate. Please refer to the Ministry of Health's What to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 page for self-isolation requirements.

If workers experience mild symptoms after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, employers should follow the Guidance for Employers Managing Workers with Symptoms within 48 Hours of COVID-19 Immunization.

• In order to access certain public settings and facilities, Ontarians need to provide proof of vaccination using an enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and proof of identification.
• While only specified businesses or organizations are legally required to ask their patrons for proof of identification and proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Ontario Regulation 263/20 Rules for Areas in Step 2 and the Ontario Ministry’s guidance do not prevent other businesses or organizations from establishing a vaccination policy, nor do they prevent the specified businesses or organizations from establishing additional policies or requirements pertaining to their patrons. Businesses or organizations considering creating their own additional policies or requirements may wish to consult a lawyer.
• For helpful guidance on creating a workplace vaccine policy, visit Toronto Public Health: COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Employers.
• All Ontarians, regardless of their vaccination status, should continue to have access to necessary medical care, food from grocery stores, and basic medical supplies.
• For more information, visit the Ontario Vaccine Certificates page and the links below:
  • Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination - Ontario Ministry of Health website
  • Ontario Regulation 263/20 Rules for Areas in Step 2
  • Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Ontario Act
  • Questions and Answers to help clarify requirements under Ontario Regulation 364/20 related to proof of vaccination against COVID-19

• The Ontario Government currently mandates the use of masks/face coverings in the indoor premises of all businesses and organizations (including a business vehicle), with some exceptions. TBDHU’s Instruction Letter to Employers, Business Owners and Operators for mandatory masks/face coverings also remains in effect. Where there are differences between the regulation and TBDHU’s instruction letter, whichever is the stricter expectation will be required. For details, visit the Mandatory Masks Directive for Businesses and Organizations page.
• Maintaining a physical distance of at least 2 metres from others is an important measure for reducing the spread of COVID-19. However, there may be circumstances where employees are unable to keep this safe distance during the course of their duties. 
• Current regulations require employees to wear a mask or face covering when they are working in an indoor area (including a business vehicle), unless they are exempt. Masks are not required for staff working in an area that is not accessible to the public and where a physical distance of 2 metres from every other person can be maintained at ALL times, regardless of the presence of a plexiglass or other barrier.
• If, at any time indoors, a worker is required to come within 2 metres of an unmasked person (ie. a patron, client, or coworker) and is not separated by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier, the employee MUST wear a medical-grade mask and eye protection (PPE). 
• Lack of eye protection generally does not constitute a high risk exposure, if both case and contact are masked. However,  depending on the nature of contact with the case and likelihood of direct droplet exposure (e.g., close prolonged contact with an unmasked case in an indoor environment), lack of eye protection may be considered a HIGH-RISK exposure. This would require anyone who is NOT fully vaccinated, or who has NOT previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days and have since been cleared of their infection, to self-isolate for 10 days, even if they have no symptoms and even if they get tested and the result is negative.  A case manager will determine whether an exposure is high-risk and if self-isolation for any contacts is needed. 
  • *(Note that PPE requirements in healthcare organizations may differ and workers should follow the PPE directions of their employer) 
• If work involves direct contact with individuals who have respiratory symptoms (e.g. coughing and sneezing), a confirmed COVID-19 infection or direct contact with contaminated objects or environments, appropriate PPE must be used.
  • This may include gloves, a gown, a surgical/procedure mask, and/or a face shield. Note that for protection against COVID-19, N95 respirators are only required for aerosol generating medical procedures (AGMPs) and when otherwise determined by a regulated health professional.
• Workers must be trained on the safe use, care and limitations of PPE, including putting on and taking off PPE, as well as proper disposal.
• Workers should ensure that gloves have no pinholes or tears and fit securely around their hands.
• Gloves should be removed before removing a mask. Hand hygiene should be performed immediately after removing gloves, then the mask can be removed, and hand hygiene performed again.
• Visit the Ontario Workplace PPE Supplier Directory for information on Ontario companies and business associations that are ready to supply personal protective equipment (PPE).

Generally, a “medical-grade” mask is the same as a surgical or procedural mask. Medical-grade masks come in three categories, each with different properties. For protection against COVID-19, a LEVEL 1 mask is usually suitable.*

Boxes containing medical-grade disposable masks should indicate on the label whether they are “Level 1” and/or “medical-grade” and/or “for medical purposes”.

To be sure that masks are medical-grade, employers can check the Ontario PPE Supplier Directory and/or Health Canada’s list of authorized medical devices.

Reusable cloth masks/face coverings are not considered medical-grade masks.

*PPE requirements in healthcare organizations may differ and these workers should follow the PPE directions of their employer

• Try to maintain a similar routine as you did before to help you be physically and mentally prepared for your day, such as wake up around the same time each day, have a shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, etc.
• Practice self-care:
  • make sure you get a proper sleep each night (see sleep hygiene tips).
  • eat balanced meals and snacks throughout the day.
  • stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
  • take work breaks and use this time to stretch or go for a brisk walk - remembering to keep a safe physical distance from others (people in self-isolation who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 must stay indoors).
• Have a dedicated workspace, if possible, that minimizes distractions and helps create boundaries between your work and home life. If doable, work in an area with lots of natural sunlight.
• Set regular work hours and build in time for breaks and self-care between different tasks. Resist the temptation to keep working beyond your established work schedule.
• Stay socially connected by checking in regularly with your manager and coworkers. Share successes and challenges using video chat platforms or even a phone call to hear a friendly voice. Try to be positive and supportive of one another.
• Be realistic with yourself about what you can manage in a day. Make a plan or to-do list to help you stay on track and help you feel productive when you accomplish tasks.
• If you have children at home, some helpful strategies could include:
  • Schedule blocks of time for when you are working and when you are engaging with your kids. When it’s kid time, be in the moment and put your laptop and phone away.
  • Talk with your kids about what types of interruptions are okay.
  • Take advantage of the time when kids may be asleep.
  • Take turns looking after the kids if you have a partner.
• Talk to your manager, someone else that you trust and/or a mental health professional if you are feeling exhausted, overly stressed, or experiencing symptoms of a stress disorder (fatigue, fear, withdrawal, etc.). Take advantage of your company’s EFAP services if they are offered. Other mental health resources can be found at SuperiorMentalWellness@Work.com.
• Last, but not least, remember to practice important infection prevention and control! Proper hand washing, cough etiquette, environmental cleaning, physical distancing, and self-monitoring are all critical ways that you can help stop the spread of illness.

A printable PDF version of these Tips for Staying Healthy while Working from Home is also available.

Complaints about businesses that are non-compliant with closure orders can be directed to the TBDHU enforcement line by calling (807) 625-5900 or Toll-Free at 1-888-294-6630. Visit our Phone Line page for information on phone numbers and monitoring hours.

Businesses are reminded that they must keep washrooms open to the public. They should be cleaned frequently and well-stocked with soap and paper towel. Anyone with concerns about access to public washrooms should call TBDHU at (807) 625-5900 or Toll-Free at 1-888-294-6630.