Mandates under the Reopening Ontario Act have now expired. A summary of current recommendations can be found on the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Public Health Measures and Advice page.
Communicate clearly to employees that Infection Prevention and Control Measures (screening, hand washing, cough etiquette, environmental cleaning and physical distancing) can still be used together, along with vaccination, for optimal effectiveness in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
More details on these general measures can be found on the Stop the Spread page.
- Employers are no longer required to actively screen employees, volunteers, students, suppliers, contract workers, or other essential visitors who enter for work purposes for symptoms of COVID-19. However, they may choose to do so voluntarily. The Ontario COVID-19 Worker and Employee Screening Tool is available for voluntary use.
- Remind staff that they must stay home if they are sick. Workers who have any symptoms of illness should not go to work. If any COVID-19 symptoms develop, the worker should follow the guidance at Ontario.ca/exposed. Helpful flowcharts are also available from the Ontario Ministry of Health.
- If the worker has non-COVID symptoms, they can go back to work once these symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours for gastrointestinal symptoms), they have no fever, and the worker feels well enough. A negative COVID-19 test is not required.
- For more information about when an employee can return to work after illness, visit Workplaces FAQs and Other COVID-19 Information page.
- 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.
- Ensure that your organization’s screening expectations are clearly communicated.
Businesses are no longer required to post patron screening signage at entrances; however, it is advisable to continue this practice. Updated signage is available on the Workplace Printable Posters and Tools page.
Proof of vaccination status along with identification is no longer required to access certain public settings and facilities. However, individual businesses and organizations may choose to require proof of vaccination upon entry. For more information, see the Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination page.
Visit Ontario COVID-19 screening guidance for employers to learn more about workplace COVID-19 screening and how rapid antigen tests can fit into a screening program.
Questions regarding COVID-19 health and safety measures for employees, including employee screening, can also be directed to the MLTSD Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008.
Proof of vaccination status along with identification is no longer required to access certain public settings and facilities. However, individual businesses and organizations may choose to require proof of vaccination upon entry.
For more information, see the Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination page and the Ministry's Proof of vaccination information for businesses and organizations page.
For helpful guidance on creating a workplace vaccine policy, visit Toronto Public Health: COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Employers.
The Ontario government is offering a rapid testing portal to make it easier for all essential businesses to access free rapid testing for COVID-19. Businesses are encouraged to learn more about the Provincial Antigen Screening Program, and then check their eligibility and apply.
The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is providing free rapid antigen tests to small and medium-sized businesses in Thunder Bay with 150 employees or less. Information on this program is found at on the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce website.
Organizations should notify TBDHU before implementing rapid antigen screening via the Contact Us page.
Businesses are not required to report positive results on rapid antigen tests to public health. However, businesses participating in the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce program are to report positive results to the Chamber.
A single negative rapid antigen test in an individual with COVID-19 symptoms does not mean that they do not have COVID-19 infection, and the symptomatic individual should not end their isolation on this basis.
If two consecutive rapid antigen tests, separated by 24-48 hours, are both negative, the symptomatic individual is less likely to have COVID-19 infection, and they are advised to self-isolate until they have no fever and symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms).
A positive rapid antigen test in an individual with COVID-19 symptoms is highly indicative that the individual has COVID-19, and the individual should self-isolate.
If the individual with COVID-19 symptoms does not have access to testing, they are advised to self-isolate as per the guidance on the Ministry's Exposed page.
Workers who are test-positive cases or isolated due to COVID-19 symptoms are not required to provide proof of a negative test result or a positive serological test result to their employers in order to return to work. It is expected that workers who have tested positive or who have symptoms of COVID-19 abide by public health direction (and occupational health, where applicable) and advice on when they would be considered clear to return to work.
For information on how to use a rapid antigen test, see the following video:
Additional Resources
- COVID-19 Guidance: Considerations for Antigen Point-of-Care Testing - Government of Ontario
- Ontario COVID-19 screening guidance for employers
- Rapid COVID-19 Tests for Organizations - Government of Canada
- Rapid testing for at-home use - Ontario Ministry of Health
- Rapid Antigen Test Information Sheet - Ontario Ministry of Health
It is no longer mandatory for businesses to ensure that workers and patrons maintain a 2 metre physical distance. However, physical distancing is still a measure for infection prevention and control.
As physical distancing requirements are lifted, employers are encouraged to be mindful that workers and patrons may need time to adjust to the pandemic recovery phase. It is important to be patient and respectful of people who are not yet comfortable being in close proximity to others. It is also important for the public to be considerate of businesses and organizations who choose to follow stronger protective measures.
It is no longer required that all individuals wear a mask or face covering while in most indoor places. However, everyone is strongly encouraged to continue to wear them for a little while longer.
The lifting of mask mandates will be welcomed by some and worrisome for others. Whether to continue to wear a mask will be a matter of personal choice based on individual risk assessment and the local situation. Those who are most vulnerable to illness, as well as their household members, are strongly recommended to continue to wear a mask.
Masks remain an important measure for protecting ourselves and others from COVID-19. Treating everyone with tolerance, respect, and kindness is ever so important as we each decide what is right for ourselves.
Masks are still required:
- In long-term care and retirement homes;
- When following directions set out by the Federal government i.e. around travel;
- When in a business, organization or facility with its own masking policy; and/or
- If you have symptoms, test positive for COVID-19 or are exposed to COVID-19 (or someone with symptoms) in your household or not, you're required to wear a mask for 10 days after exposure, symptoms or test, as well as avoid activities where mask removal is necessary (such as dining out, high contact sports). Visit Ontario.ca/Exposed for these details.
Visit the Mandatory Mask Directive page for more information.
Hand Washing
- Promote frequent hand washing by employees, contractors and customers. Details on proper hand hygiene practices can be found on the Hand Hygiene page.
- Display posters promoting hand washing. Combine this with other communication (i.e. OH&S, intranet, briefings at meetings etc.).
- Provide access to hand washing facilities and place hand sanitizing dispensers in prominent locations throughout the workplace, if possible. Make sure these dispensers are regularly refilled.
- Avoid shaking hands with colleagues or clients. Use alternative greetings instead, such as a head nod or wave.
- Remind clients who are children to follow these recommendations and support them to do so.
Facts about Gloves in the Workplace
- Wearing gloves is recommended for specific work situations, such as: providing direct care for patients; handling chemicals (ie. when cleaning); and preparing food if you have a cut or abrasion on your hand.
- Regularly washing hands offers more protection against COVID-19 than wearing gloves. COVID-19 is transmitted through the spread of infected droplets. It is not absorbed through the skin. Cross-contamination can happen easily if someone is wearing gloves. Wearing gloves can lead to a false sense of security and spreading of germs to more surfaces than if good hand washing practices were followed. If an employee touches their face, contamination could go from their glove to their face and they can become infected.
- If employees are instructed to wear gloves, it is important to keep the following tips in mind:
- Employees should be trained on how to properly put gloves on and take them off.
- Bare hands should be washed immediately before putting gloves on and after removing gloves.
- Gloves should be changed frequently.
- Used gloves should be discarded into a waste bin right away and never reused.
- Hand sanitizer should not be used on gloves as it can break down the surface material.
- Employees should be reminded to not touch their face while wearing gloves, or unnecessarily touch surfaces like personal electronic devices.
Additional Resources
Printable Posters and Signage
- General information on cough etiquette can be found on the Cover your Coughs and Sneezes page.
- Display posters promoting cough etiquette. Combine this with other communication (i.e. OH&S, intranet, briefings at meetings etc.).
- Consider providing additional tissues should someone develop respiratory symptoms. If symptoms develop, the person must immediately be separated from others, instructed on proper cough etiquette and sent home (not using public transit, if possible).
Printable Posters and Signage
- Cover Your Cough Poster (PDF)
- Couvrez-vous la bouche (PDF)
- For detailed information on cleaning, see the Environmental Cleaning page and the TBDHU resource on Cleaning and Disinfection of Public Spaces.
- Workplaces should follow their organization specific cleaning protocols.
- Identify frequently touched surfaces that may need to be cleaned more often (e.g. doorknobs, handrails, light switches, touch screen surfaces, phones, elevator buttons, computers, desks, lunch tables, kitchens, washrooms, cash registers, seating areas, surface counters, customer service counters, bars, restaurant tables/menus, communal pens, etc.).
- It is also recommended that items be removed if they cannot easily be cleaned (e.g. newspapers, magazines, stuffed toys).
- All waste can go into regular garbage bins that are lined. Employees who handle waste should be careful not to touch any used tissues. They should wash their hands with soap and water immediately after emptying wastebaskets and garbage bins.
- In businesses where dishwashing occurs, normal dishwashing practices should continue to be followed. No special soap is needed.
- In businesses where laundering occurs, normal laundry practices should continue to be followed.
- Introduce more fresh air by increasing the ventilation system’s air intake or opening doors and windows. Avoid central recirculation where possible.
Additional Resources
Helpful Links
- What to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 - Ontario Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Health Guidance (via Helpful Flowcharts) - Ontario Ministry of Health
- Ontario Educational Resources
- Infection Prevention and Control at Work: Basic Awareness Training