Guidance for workplaces (COVID-19)

A plan to safely reopen Ontario and manage COVID-19 for the long-term

The Ontario government has released A Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term. The plan outlines a gradual approach (Government of Ontario, PDF) to lifting remaining public health and workplace safety measures by March 2022. The plan will be guided by the ongoing assessment of key public health and health care indicators and supported by local or regional tailored responses to COVID-19.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination

Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination (Government of Ontario). An enhanced vaccine certificate (Government of Ontario), with scannable QR code, is available along with a verification app for businesses. It is recommended that highest-risk organizations continue to use proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

For more information visit the Government of Ontario’s Proof of COVID-19 vaccination page.

Masks and face coverings

Wearing masks continues to be strongly recommended as provincial COVID-19 requirements lessen. Masks must continue to be worn in long-term care homes, retirement homes, health care settings, congregate living settings, and on public transportation.

Mask wearing is encouraged for people who have higher personal health risks or if their close circle includes those who are vulnerable to severe COVID-19 infection. Individuals should consider their personal circumstances and take the precautions necessary to protect themselves and other.

It is also strongly recommended that people continue to wear masks when in indoor crowded spaces. Masking remains a simple and effective tool to protect yourself and those around you. Respect and kindness have brought us this far, and they will continue to serve us well as we move forward.

Expectations for all businesses

Businesses must take measures to protect employees and patrons and operate in accordance with all applicable laws including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the regulations made under it. The Government of Ontario has sector specific guidelines to prevent COVID-19 and additional guidelines for COVID-19 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Sector-specific guidance

Learn more about health and safety measures for employees and employers and sector specific guidance from local public health and provincial associations.

Employers (workplaces)

Employers must take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. As an employer you should:

Advise employees to stay home when ill and consult ontario.ca/exposed to learn about what to do next.
Remind employees to wash their hands often and when visibly dirty for 15 seconds.
Use hand sanitizer when handwashing is not possible.
Remind employees to continue following proper sneezing etiquette and to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth.

Stay home if you are sick. You and all household members must stay home and follow isolation guidelines (Government of Ontario).

Employees

Employees must take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. As an employee you should:

Wash your hands often and when visibly dirty for 15 seconds.
Use hand sanitizer when handwashing is not possible.
Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm or a tissue, throw the tissue in the garbage and wash your hands.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home if you are sick and visit ontario.ca/exposed to learn what to do next.

Workplace resources

Face covering sign (PDF, 153.3 KB)
Symptomatic: Do not enter sign (PDF, 283.9 KB)
Workplace vaccine confidence poster (PDF, 273 KB)
COVID-19 vaccine rolling ads spotlighting various workplaces (PDF, 9.2 MB)
COVID-19 workplace guidance (Government of Ontario)
Managing through COVID-19: How to support your employee’s mental health (PDF, 531 KB)
Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce resources, toolkits, and information-sources

For additional resources for businesses during COVID-19, visit our COVID-19 resources page.

Do workplaces need to have a COVID-19 vaccination policy in place?

While Public Health Sudbury & Districts encourages the implementation of a COVID-19 vaccination policy in the workplace, this recommendation is voluntary, and is not legally enforceable under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020.

This item was last modified on May 13, 2022