COVID-19 Resources

• Self-isolation means staying at home when you are sick with COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who has contracted the disease
• Physically distance yourself from other people to help prevent the spread of disease to others in your home and community.
• This is critical to “flatten the curve” of disease spread.
• Self-isolation also applies to anyone returning from travel outside of Canada whether or not they have symptoms of COVID-19.

An order to remove oneself from any contact with others with possible legal consequences if that order is violated.

• Employees who have flu-like symptoms or other signs of acute/severe respiratory illness, which include difficulty breathing, new cough or fever, should be sent home.
• Refer the employee to the Ministry Of Health’s Online Self-Assessment to help determine if s/he needs to seek care

An order to remove oneself from any contact with others, with possible legal consequences if that order is violated.

• Stay home and self-isolate. If you are experiencing symptoms, including fever, new cough, difficulty breathing and other flu-like symptoms you should:
• Self-monitor and inform your supervisor/manager.
• Consult your primary health professional or Niagara Region Public Health.
• The Ministry Of Health Online Self-Assessment can be completed to determine whether testing for COVID-19 is recommended. 
• If an employee is ill and not presumed to be at risk for COVID-19, they should refrain from going to work for a minimum of 24 hours after the symptoms have stopped. Acute respiratory illnesses and Influenza can circulate at any time during the year and these infectious diseases may also put individuals at CLFE at risk.

• Yes
• The community (person to person) spread of Covid-19 is driven by human interactions.   If people continue to interact outside of their immediate families and in greater numbers, the greater the risk of exposure and infection from the virus.  Remember, your co-worker may not be showing symptoms of the virus, but they could still possibly be carrying the virus and could unknowingly infect members of your family.

The employee should notify CLFE if the employee tests positive for COVID-19 and has been at work in the previous 14 days. Public Health authorities will notify CLFE.

Employees who have traveled outside of Canada are asked to stay home and self-isolate for 14 days. You should tell them to follow this instruction and notify your manager.

Employees are encouraged to contact the HR department to discuss and/or seek clarification regarding their specific circumstances and benefits.

• No.
• There is no legal obligation to continue an employee’s pay if s/he is unable to attend work due to illness or quarantine, unless a workplace policy or collective agreement provides otherwise.
• However, these are unique times and employment provisions are being reviewed by Federal/Provincial governments.
• Depending on the circumstances, the employee may be able to access short-term disability benefits if available, or Employment Insurance.

The Public Health Agency of Canada suggests there is an increased risk of more severe outcomes for Canadians who are over the age 65, with compromised immune systems and who have underlying medical conditions. All employees should be aware of the preventative and protective measures implemented across CLFE, including the screening protocols in place, to ensure such risk is being mitigated. CLFE is following the recommended infection, prevention and control measures provided by experts including the Infection Prevention and Control Committee of Canada (IPAC), the World Health Organization, local and provincial public health agencies.

• Yes, in some circumstances. This is a very complex issue in our sector.
• Employees supporting people with developmental disabilities have a limited right to refuse work where hazard is inherent in their work or where refusal of work would potentially endanger the life of another person.
• Please refer to the CLFE’s Occupational Health and Safety Right to Refuse Work policy.

An employee can return to work if s/he is free from symptoms for at least 24 hours and has not been advised by Niagara Region Public Health or their primary health care professional to stay away from the workplace.

• Yes
• Now there is emergency childcare (children under 6) for essential workers and staff working in developmental services are eligible for emergency childcare.  You can find out more information at the Niagara Region website:  Emergency Child Care

• Yes.
• Provided the employee is symptom free for 24 hours and, in the event of travel outside of Canada, completes the 14-day self-isolation period.

Not until you are no longer a risk, as determined by in collaboration with the Niagara Region Pubic Health.

• Advise employees to follow usual protocols.
• Provide them with protective equipment.
• Provide guidelines regarding employees’ responsibility to separate the person from others in service and to seek medical attention through primary care professionals and Niagara Region Public Health on next steps.
• Update your team and your manager regarding any advice from medical professionals.

For the protection of the people supported, their families and CLFE staff, CLFE follows the ministry’s Visitation Guidelines. Visits can currently be held inside and outside for essential visitors. Outside visits only for non-essential visitors, provided PPE provincial guidelines are being followed.

• An SOR is required if someone in our care has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Follow the normal process for serious occurrence reporting.

Employees are encouraged to contact the HR department to discuss and/or seek clarification regarding their specific circumstances and insurance benefits.

• In-person meetings should be limited as much as possible in accordance with provincial directives.
• If needed, two metre distance should be maintained between attendees.
• Meetings should be held virtually.