1. COVID-19
  2. Workplaces, Organizations & Facilities

Workplaces, Organizations & Facilities

Workplaces, Organizations & Facilities

Guidance for employers, owners and operators of businesses, and workplaces in Windsor-Essex County to assist with COVID-19 prevention in places of work.

Infection Prevention & Control Measures Testing
Case & Contact Management in the WorkplaceVaccine Policy Support
Provincial ResourcesDownload/Print Signs

Updates to Requirements

As of March 2022, businesses and workplaces in Ontario are no longer required to prepare a COVID-19 safety plan, require employees or customers to wear a mask/face covering, or conduct passive screening of employees/customers. For a complete list of indoor spaces where masks are still required, visit the Provincial website or WECHU’s Restrictions webpage.

Businesses and organizations may choose to develop a COVID-19 workplace safety plan. A guide to developing your COVID-19 workplace safety plan is available online.

Businesses and organizations may choose to implement their own rules pertaining to face masks or screening. Screening tools are available online for workers and customers. The Verify Ontario app will remain accessible for those workplaces that choose to continue requiring proof of vaccination. Posters are also available from WECHU.

COVID-19 Testing

The StaySafe Rapid COVID-19 Testing Program is now available for Windsor and Essex County. Visit the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce website to order your free COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Self Screening kits.

Have over 150 employees? Find out if your organization is eligible to access free rapid tests from the Provincial Antigen Screening Program (PASP). Find out the details and apply online.

To learn about eligibility for PCR testing, using rapid antigen tests, and what to do if you test positive, visit the Individuals with Symptoms, Positive Cases, and Close Contacts webpage.

If An Employee Tests Positive

  1. Determine if they need to self-isolate by completing a self-assessment.
  2. Follow the steps provided from self-assessment tool. For more information, please visit Ontario’s Public Health Measures and Advice.
  3. The employee should only return to work once their symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (48 if gastrointestinal). For ten days after symptoms started, it is advised to wear a well-fitting mask in public settings and avoid non-essential visits to high risk settings, or visiting anyone who is immunocompromised.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Measures

Even though the province has gradually eased public health and workplace safety measures, each business and workplace can continue with the measures below to minimize the risk of COVID-19 in our community. It is important that workplaces continue to communicate the latest guidance and public health advice with employees and customers.

Promote Physical Distancing

While a minimum physical distancing of two metres or more is no longer a requirement, it remains highly recommended to minimize the risk of spread of COVID-19. To promote physical distancing, the WECHU recommends the following:

  • Use signs and visual markers to remind people where to stand and to keep 2 metre distance from others.
  • Continue to use physical barriers (e.g., plexiglass) when physical distancing is not possible.

Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette

Businesses and workplaces should promote and support enhanced hand hygiene practices as well as cough and sneeze etiquette to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by:

  • Ensuring there are enough supplies available for proper hand hygiene, including pump soap, warm running water and paper towels and alcohol-based hand sanitizer stations.
  • Reminding employees and customers to practice cough and sneeze etiquette by covering their mouth and nose with a tissue, upper sleeve, or elbow when coughing or sneezing, place the tissue directly into the garbage, and wash hands properly.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • While no longer required in most settings, masks/face coverings provide an additional layer of protection and help to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Encouraging employees and customers to wear masks/face coverings can help keep your facility safe.
  • If PPE is provided by the employer, employees must be trained on safe use, care, and limitations, including putting on and taking off equipment and proper disposal.

Enhanced Cleaning and Disinfection

Commonly used cleaners and disinfectants are part of a broad approach to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Health Canada has created list of approved hard surface disinfectants that prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Frequently touched surfaces are more likely to be contaminated and it is therefore important to ensure thorough cleaning at least once per day and when visibly dirty. Some of the more common high-touch surfaces are:

  • Handles/door knobs/railings/grab bars
  • Desk tops
  • Telephones/cell phones
  • Taps/toilet handles/hand sanitizer and soap dispensers
  • Kitchen appliances and surfaces, and water fountains
  • Computers keyboards and mouse
  • Light switches/elevator buttons
  • Cash registers/touchpad surfaces

Wherever possible, use a pre-mixed solution of cleaner and disinfectant. Ensure that you check the expiry date when using any cleaning or disinfectant products or mixtures and:

  • Wear gloves and any other PPE as recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preparing the solution and allow adequate contact time for disinfectant to kill germs.
  • Ensure adequate ventilation when using products (e.g., open windows, doors, use fans).

Case and Contact Management in the Workplace

Isolation guidance for individuals who have been exposed, are experiencing symptoms, or have tested positive can be found at Ontario.ca. Guidance for individuals working, attending, or living in highest risk settings can be found on WECHU’s webpage.

Outbreaks in the Workplace

A public health investigation in a high-risk setting may include:

  • Interviewing the employer to assess existing prevention measures and possible sources of transmission
  • Requesting information to help identify additional cases and tracing contacts
    • Please note that all requested information must be provided to WECHU in a timely manner to help stop further spread of COVID-19
    • Be mindful of the privacy of people’s personal health information. Do not disclose the names of employees who test positive
  • Providing guidance on additional required prevention measures, including restrictions and closures
  • Recommendations on targeted testing of staff
  • Support in communicating to staff, business partners, and the public, where necessary
  • On-site inspection of the workplace

Employers with any questions related to a COVID-19 outbreak in the workplace can contact the Stop the Spread COVID Hotline at 1-888-444-3659.  Highest risk workplaces can reach out to their assigned WECHU public health inspector.

If the WECHU determines there is evidence of transmission in the workplace identified through an investigation, the employer will be notified as soon as possible.

Roles and Responsibilities in a Workplace Outbreak Investigation

Note: due to an increased volume of cases, at this time the WECHU will not be following up with workplace outbreaks, unless the outbreak has occurred in a highest risk setting.

  • General duty under OHSA to take all reasonable precautions in the circumstances for the protection of workers.
  • Comply with OHSA and other applicable legislation and regulations, and any orders issued by MLTSD or local Medical Officer of Health (MOH).
  • Implement prevention measures issued by the Ontario government and any other prevention measures recommended by public health agencies.
  • Provide notices of an occupational illness to the MLTSD under ss 52(2) of the OHSA.
  • Cooperate with public health investigations and MLTSD OHSA inspectors.
  • Regularly maintain accurate shift records and up-to-date contact information for employees.
  • Communicate with staff and other stakeholders, as needed, when there is an outbreak
  • Interviewing the employer to assess existing prevention measures and possible sources of transmission in the workplace.
  • Requesting information to help identify additional cases and tracing contacts, which may include staff contact information, staff schedules/work attendance, and patron logs.
    • Please note that all requested information must be provided to WECHU in a timely manner to help stop further spread of COVID-19.
    • Be mindful of the privacy of people’s personal health information – do not disclose the names of employees who test positive.
  • Providing guidance on additional required prevention measures (e.g., enhanced cleaning and disinfection), including workplace restrictions and closures to reduce the risk of disease spread in the workplace.
  • Recommendations on targeted testing of staff.
  • Support in communicating to staff, business partners, and the public, where necessary.
  • On-site inspection of the workplace.
  • Receive notice of an occupational illness (e.g., transmission of COVID in the workplace) from employers under subsection 52(2) of the OHSA, investigate to determine if the employer is in compliance with the OHSA, and that appropriate measures have been taken to prevent further illness.
  • Proactively investigate workplaces to monitor compliance with the OHSA and its regulations.
  • Investigate unsafe work practices, critical injuries, fatalities, work refusals, and occupational illness, all as related to worker health and safety – this includes investigations of reports of COVID-19 by employers to MLTSD.
    • The MLTSD Health and Safety Contact Centre (1-877-202-0008) is available for anyone to report health and safety concerns, complaints or to provide notices of occupational illness.
    • If employees have safety concerns at work, they are encouraged to contact their human resource department, health and safety representative, or the Ontario Ministry of Labour.
  • Educational resources about the Employment Standards Act can be found here.

For more information, please refer to the Ministry of Health’s Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario.

Return to Work Timelines

In general, employees are able to return to work once their self-isolation is complete. To read the latest self-isolation guidelines, visit Ontario.ca.

To ensure sufficient staffing, individuals working in highest risk settings may be able to return to work early. A progressive range of options exists for contingency staffing with early return of close contacts and cases. It is the responsibility of the organization to determine what staffing option to use under their current staffing shortage circumstances. For guidance on managing critical staffing shortages, view the Ministry of Health's Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario.

  • Close Contacts with Rapid Antigen Testing available
    • Return to work after negative molecular test collected on/after day 5 from last exposure; OR
    • Return to work following a negative molecular test prior to first shift (if collected before day 5) AND perform daily rapid antigen testing for 10 days after last exposure or until a second negative molecular test is collected (on/after day 5)
  • Close Contacts when Rapid Antigen Testing is NOT available
    • Return to work after 10 days from last exposure
  • Cases
    • Return to work after 10 days from symptom onset or positive test OR
    • Return to work after single negative molecular or two negative RATs collected 24 hours apart (any time during isolation), AND no fever and symptoms improving for 24 hours (48 if gastrointestinal)
  • Close Contacts with Rapid Antigen Testing available
    • Return to work after two negative RATs collected 24 hours apart; AND
    •  Perform daily rapid antigen testing until end of 10 day self-isolation period OR until meet a negative molecular test is collected on/after day 5
  • Close Contacts when Rapid Antigen Testing is NOT available
    • Return to work on day 7 from last exposure; AND
    • Continue workplace measures for reducing risk of exposure until day 10
  • Cases
    • Return to work on day 7 without testing if ONLY caring for COVID-19 positive patients/residents; AND
    • No fever and symptoms improving for 24 hours (48 if vomiting/diarrhea)
  • Close Contacts with Rapid Antigen Testing available
    • Return to work after single negative RAT prior to first shift; AND
    • Perform daily rapid antigen testing for 10 days after last exposure OR until a negative molecular test is collected on/after day 5
  • Close Contacts when Rapid Antigen Testing is NOT available
    • Return to work 5 days after last exposure; AND
    • Continue workplace measures for reducing risk of exposure until day 10
  • Cases
    • Return to work earlier than day 7 if ONLY caring for COVID-19 positive patients/residents; AND
    • No fever an symptoms improving for 24 hours (48hrs if vomiting/diarrhea)

Highest risk settings include:

  • Hospitals (including complex continuing care facilities and paramedic services)
  • Home and community care workers
  • Congregate living settings with medically and socially vulnerable individuals, including, but not limited to, long-term care, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, correctional institutions, Provincial Demonstration Schools and hospital schools.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Support

Employers play an important role in building vaccine confidence among employees in the workplace. If you have employees that have not yet received their COVID-19 vaccine, giving employees the opportunity to share their concerns about vaccines can help increase vaccine literacy, identify barriers to vaccination, and help employees know what to expect before and  after getting their vaccine.

The WECHU has created a COVID-19 Vaccine Policy Support Package for Employers to provide guidance on how to establish a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, including a sample policy and procedure.

Download Vaccine Policy Support Package

For additional resources and information on the COVID-19 vaccines, visit the vaccines webpage. Employers can also support employees find a vaccine clinic or access supports such as free transportation and childcare while getting vaccinated.

Provincial Resources

Have Questions? The Government of Ontario has a toll-free information line to support businesses during COVID-19. Business owners and operators can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. For more information visit Ontario’s website.

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