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 page Go Out Smart.
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 should screen employees, customers, clients and volunteers before entering the business to ensure that no person with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 enters the facility. It should be done over the phone, upon arrival, at entrances and regularly throughout the day.
- It is up to individual workplaces to determine their screening approach.
- Screening can be done actively or passively. Active screening is recommended for facilities that work with vulnerable populations (e.g. older adults/retirement homes, daycares, health care settings, communal living spaces), and passive screening for facilities working with the general public.
- Active screening involves having a designated staff person ask the screening questions before allowing someone to enter.
- A Screening Tool to actively screen visitors/ clients is available in English (PDF) and in French (PDF) (current as of June 19, 2020).
- Passive screening involves placing a sign at all entrances and asking people that enter to screen themselves by reading the sign and answering the questions before entering.
- General customer screening posters are available in English (PDF) and French (PDF) (current as of June 17, 2020).
- Employee screening posters are available in English (PDF) and French (PDF) (current as of June 17, 2020).
- These are general screening posters and may need to be modified based on the specific needs of the facility. Combine this with other communication (i.e. OH&S, intranet, briefings at meetings, etc.).
- 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.
- Active screening involves having a designated staff person ask the screening questions before allowing someone to enter.
- Everyone in Ontario should practice physical distancing of 2 meters to reduce their exposure to other people. This means avoiding close contact from other people to help prevent the spread. This will keep the density of people low and keep space between people.
- 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, Plexiglas window).
- Where feasible, adjustments to policies and procedures may be put in place to reduce social contact, such as teleworking 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 for Meetings and Events
- The Ontario government has issued an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act that prohibits public and/or social gatherings of more than 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Everyone in attendance must maintain a physical distance of 2 metres.
- An indoor event or gathering cannot be combined with an outdoor event or gathering so as to increase the applicable limit on the number of people. Note that at public and/or social gatherings held in an enclosed space, all attendees are required to wear a mask or face covering, unless exempt (beginning July 24, 2020)
- For meetings, consider whether a face-to-face meeting or event is needed. Consider a teleconference or online event, or scaling down the meeting so that fewer people attend and can maintain a 2 metre (6 feet) distance from each other.
- The decision to hold a small meeting should weigh the risks/benefits of the meeting and considering the population attending it, the activities, crowding, duration, and resources.
- The main concern around public gatherings and events is the density of people. Precautions should be taken to ensure physical distancing and increased environmental cleaning.
- For more information about getting your workplace ready for COVID-19 and how to manage COVID-19 risk when organizing meetings and events visit: World Health Organization: Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19 (PDF).
Additional Resources
Printable Posters and Signage
- Physical Distancing Sign (General) (English PDF)
- Physical Distancing Sign (General) (French PDF)
- Physical Distancing Sign (In Line) (English PDF)
- Physical Distancing Sign (In Line) (French PDF)
- Physical Distancing Sign (Restaurants/ Take Out) (English PDF)
- Physical Distancing Sign (Restaurants/ Take Out) (French PDF)
- Physical Distancing Sign (Elevators) (English PDF)
- Physical Distancing Sign (Elevators) (French PDF)
For more details on physical distancing, visit the Physical Distancing page.
- 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, effective Friday, July 24, 2020 at 12:01 am. For details, visit: Mandatory mask directive for businesses
- Visit Masks for more information on the use of masks.
- Promote frequent hand washing by employees, contractors and customers using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- It is important to wash hands after using the washroom, before preparing or eating food, after contact with frequently touched surfaces, upon returning home from work or a public place.
- Display posters promoting hand washing. Combine this with other communication (i.e. OH&S, intranet, briefings at meetings etc.).
- If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (that contains minimum 60% alcohol).
- 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 and 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
- Hand Washing Poster (English PDF)
- Hand Washing Poster (French PDF)
- Hand Sanitizer Poster (English PDF)
- Hand Sanitizer Poster (French PDF)
- 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 cough etiquette and sent home (not using public transit, if possible).
Printable Posters and Signage
- Cover Your Cough Poster (English PDF)
- Cover Your Cough Poster (French PDF)
- Workplaces should follow their organization specific cleaning protocols.
- Workplaces are encouraged to increase frequency of cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (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 that cannot be easily cleaned (e.g., newspapers, magazines, stuffed toys) be removed.
- For detailed information on cleaning, see the TBDHU resource on Cleaning and Disinfection of Public Spaces.
- 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).
Additional Resources