Ontario Construction News staff writer
Toronto Public Health (TPH) has directed four workplaces to fully close under the Section 22 Class Order to address workplace COVID-19 risk.
Seven other workplaces have also been directed to partially close, as investigations by TPH indicate “the entire operation does not need to be shut down”. Upon investigation, the closure of the eighth workplace listed “was no longer warranted” to manage the transmission risk among employees. TPH will continue to work directly with the workplace to continue to implement infection prevention and control protocols.
None of the closures are at construction sites.
Workplaces directed to fully close must post signage at all entrances to the premises. TPH will update business closures each Thursday by 3 p.m. on its workplace outbreak dashboard.
Further instructions on employee isolation, quarantine and testing of employees have been communicated directly with the workplace. As in the past, TPH will continue to communicate publicly if there is risk of exposure to the general public.
The Medical Officer of Health issued a Section 22 Class Order, which came into effect on Friday, April 23, to reduce transmission in workplaces to protect employees, their families and the community.
The order requires owners and operators to contact TPH as soon as they become aware of five or more cases associated with the workplaces within a 14-day period. Upon investigation, TPH will determine appropriate actions to protect employees and the community, whether it is a full or partial closure of the workplace. The Order may also apply to workplaces with less than five COVID-19 cases and will provide investigators authorization to expeditiously respond to workplace outbreaks.