On Friday, September 25, 2020, the Government of Ontario amended O. Reg 364/20, effective Saturday, September 26, 2020. This Regulation sets out the Rules for Areas in Stage 3.
The amendment imposes a requirement that "the person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall operate the business or organization in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health on screening individuals."
In accordance with the regulation, each Ontario workplace is now required to pro-actively screen employees for COVID-19-related symptoms and risk factors prior to entry into the work environment, each day the employee seeks to enter the work environment. The screening tool should include, at a minimum, the questions identified in the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces (Businesses and Organizations).
The Tool provides three (3) screening questions for any worker or essential visitor (defined in the Tool) seeking to enter the work environment. The Tool does not apply to patrons of a workplace, essential workers who travel outside of Canada for work, or emergency services or other first responders who may enter a workplace for emergency purposes.
If the individual answers NO to all three questions, they have passed and can enter the workplace. If the individual answers YES to any of the three questions they should be advised that they should not enter the workplace.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
