Toronto rolls out new COVID-19 workplace measures, reporting
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New data is expected to shed more light on how COVID-19 spreads through workplaces.
And new measures — some familiar to most Torontonians — will be imposed on city employers this week, requiring mandatory outbreak reporting to Toronto Public Health.
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Workplaces are now required to notify Toronto Public Health if two or more employees test positive within a 14-day interval, ensure social distancing is maintained when practical, make avaiable hand sanitizer and handwashing facilities, maintain rigorous cleaning schedules, conduct reviews of heating and ventilation systems, and minimize instances of more than one person at a time in company vehicles.
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They must also ensure employees are aware of any income replacement or support programs they may be entitled to if forced to quarantine.
As well, the city will publish a weekly summary of all workplace outbreaks, separated into 11 categories including bar, restaurant and entertianment venues, event venues and places of worship, retail stores, farms, offices, and food processing plants.
The reports will be published every Thursday, starting Jan. 7.
“Toronto Public Health has always previously identified businesses where a public health risk exists,” said Toronto’s top doctor Eileen de Villa.
“The application of this criteria provides a basis for further disclosure as directed by the board of health.”
Board of Health Chair Joe Cressy said the decision was made to increase both transparency and workplace safety.
“By drawing attention to unsafe settings, we can hold employers and also governments accountable,” he said.
“Our intention here is not only to inform, but to spur action to protect workers.”
Information on the new directives can be found on the city’s website.
Toronto reported 974 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday — 3,061 new infections since Dec. 30.
De Villa reported 366 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19, with 98 receiving intensive care.
Nine more people died of COVID-19 since Sunday, putting the total dead since Dec. 30 at 38.
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @bryanpassifiume
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