Communicate clearly to employees that the following Infection Prevention and Control Measures (screening, hand washing, cough etiquette, environmental cleaning, and physical distancing) should be used together 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.
Businesses are encouraged to check the signage at entrances often to make sure they are the most current version. Please replace anything old with the latest signage. View the most up-to-date signage at: Printable signage and posters
Employers are required to screen employees, customers, clients and volunteers before entering the business to ensure that no person with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 enters the facility.
Screening should be done every day before a person enters the building. It is up to each employer to decide what screening process the organization will adopt, whether it’s active screening (with someone at the door asking questions) or passive screening (people screen themselves), or a combination of both depending on who is entering the workplace. In determining the type of screening approach, employers should consider the following criteria:
- what the potential outcome would be if an infected employee reports to work and spreads COVID-19 to others resulting in an outbreak, understanding that the workplace may have to be closed;
- whether different types of screening may be more or less appropriate for the different types of workers/visitors entering the premises;
- how knowledgeable and diligent employees and others are about COVID-19 and infection control;
- what incentives are in place to ensure employees will stay home when ill (e.g., availability of work-from-home options, paid sick time, etc.);
- how vulnerable their client population is;
- the impact of screening procedures on human resource capacity; and
- the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in their community or the communities from which their employees arrive (i.e. industrial employers who bring in workers from across Canada or even the USA).
Screening Staff
For screening employees, students, volunteers, contractors, delivery workers, etc., TBDHU recommends that businesses use the Ontario COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool. This online tool is updated regularly, offers detailed information, and produces a results page that can be made into a PDF and printed (if required).
If a workplace wishes to print a number of blank screening tools to have available at an entrance, then the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces can be used as an alternate. However, employers should check frequently for updates to be sure that the most current version is being completed. It is important to note that question #3 on this tool asks about close contact with a “probable case”. For clarity, please refer to the case definition of a probable case.
Signage should be posted at staff entrances reminding employees to be sure that they have screened themselves before entering. Please ensure your organization’s screening protocol is clearly communicated. Updated TBDHU signage is available on the Printable Posters and Signage page.
Combine screening procedures with other communication (i.e. OH&S updates, intranet, briefings at meetings, etc.) that encourages workers to stay home (or go home) if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are mild.
Screening Patrons
All businesses should display screening posters at all public entrances. Printable posters are available on the Printable Posters and Signage page.
Workplaces that participate in active screening should comply with the guidelines provided by the Ontario government for their sector (i.e. primary care, long-term care providers, etc.) Where specific active screening guidelines do not exist, employers can utilize the questions within the COVID-19 Employee Screening Poster to actively screen employees, volunteers, students, contract workers, clients, etc.
If you have any questions or concerns about screening for COVID-19, call TBDHU at (807) 625-5900 or Toll-Free at 1-888-294-6630 or complete the Contact Us form.
- Everyone should be practicing physical distancing. Details on what physical distancing is and how to do it can be found on the Physical Distancing page.
- Promote physical distancing in your workplace and post reminders in places where people may be closer than 2 metres together (e.g. active screening locations, line-ups, entrances and exits). Combine this with other communication (i.e. OH&S, intranet, briefings at meetings etc.).
- If possible, increase the spatial separation between desks and workstations as well as individuals (e.g. employees, customers) from each other. A 2 metre separation should be maintained, unless there is a physical barrier (e.g. cubicle wall, Plexiglas window).
- Where feasible, adjustments to policies and procedures may be put in place to reduce social contact, such as remote working arrangements, flexible hours, staggering start times, use of email and teleconferencing.
- Investigate ways of using technology to limit the amount of face-to-face contact, for example video conferencing, to facilitate remote meetings.
- Consider issuing staff with laptops or the equipment required to work remotely if necessary.
- Tips, considerations and guidelines for holding meetings and events can be found on the Meetings & Events page.
Additional Resources
- Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA)
- Advice for Hosts and Event Organizers (TBDHU)
- World Health Organization: Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19 (PDF)
Printable Posters and Signage
- Physical Distancing Sign (General) (PDF)
- Distanciation physique (général) (PDF)
- Physical Distancing Sign (In Line) (PDF)
- Distanciation physique (en ligne) (PDF)
- Physical Distancing Sign (Picking Up Take Out) (PDF)
- Distanciation physique (ramassage à emporter) (PDF)
- Physical Distancing Sign (Elevators) (PDF)
- Distanciation physique (les ascenseurs) (PDF)
- The Ontario Government recently updated public health measures to keep people safe, including mandatory masks across the province. See the information at ontario.ca/laws/regulation/200364. We are currently updating the information on this page to reflect these changes. Please check back for updates.
- Under instructions issued by the Medical Officer of Health, all businesses and organizations in the Thunder Bay District Health Unit area must adopt a policy that requires all members of the public and employees who enter or remain in an enclosed public space to wear a mask or face covering. For details, visit the Mandatory Mask Directive for Businesses page.
- Visit the Masks/ Face Coverings page for more information on the proper use and care of masks.
- 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.
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.
- Businesses that hire contractors to perform cleaning duties can refer to the fact sheet with Guidance for Janitorial Services (PDF).