COVID-19 & Legislation Updates | Weekly Workplace Recap from August 28 to September 9, 2021
Below are the key COVID-19 & legislation topics that touch on the workplace from August 28 to September 9, 2021.
Ontario
Restrictions coming for Windsor-Essex, Ontario weddings, bars and restaurants
Effective September 7 all Windsor-Essex residents or persons responsible for a business or organization that is permitted to open under the Reopening Ontario - A Flexible Response to COVID-19, Act 2020 Regulation 364/20 will be required to adopt additional requirements above and beyond the provincial regulations until September 20.
Alberta
New restrictions, including masking, now in effect province-wide
The Alberta government's new COVID-19 restrictions regarding masking and a curfew on serving liquor are now in force, but some events say they've gotten an "exemption" from officials.
British Columbia
BC launches vaccine card to enhance confidence and increase safety at public events
The province is launching the BC Vaccine Card, a digital or printed document that shows the stage cardholders are at in their COVID-19 vaccine progress. The BC Vaccine Card will allow vaccinated people to conveniently and securely show their proof of vaccination at higher-risk social and recreational events and settings when new COVID-19 vaccine requirement rules take effect on September 13, 2021.
Provincial Health Officer posts new orders
The following Orders were posted on September 3 by the BC PHO:
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Residential Care Staff COVID-19 Preventive Measures PHO Order
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COVID-19 Vaccination Status Information and Preventive Measures Order
Mandatory Vaccinations
This topic now has its own section as the topic heats up and the list of employers who announce mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations grows.
ConnectsUs HR Toolkit now includes Mandatory Vaccination Policy Template!
Find out more.
Ottawa Public Health releases guide to support workplace vaccination policies
Ottawa Public Health has released a guide for employers on how to develop and implement workplace vaccination policies. The guide goes over these key components of such a policy:
- determining the scope and purpose
- listing actions workers must take
- setting deadlines for when actions must be taken
- listing available supports for vaccination
- issues of non-compliance
- provisions for unvaccinated workers
- privacy considerations
Find out more.
The Canadian Medical Association backs vaccine passports for everyone
The Canadian Medical Association would like to see vaccine passports implemented across the country. The so-called vaccine passports, essentially certificates which confirm vaccination, will enable people to do such things as eat out at restaurants, work out at gyms or attend live concert performances.
Ontario to require proof of vaccination for non-essential businesses
As of September 22, 2021, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated and will need to provide proof of their vaccination along with photo ID to access certain non-essential businesses and facilities.
Employers announcing Mandated Vaccination
KPMG rolls out mandatory vaccination policy
Effective October 1, 2021 all partners, employees, contractors and guests visiting a KPMG office will need to be fully vaccinated.
Find out more.
Several Ontario hospitals jointly enact mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy, extends to new hires
The leaders of 14 hospitals in Ontario’s central region have come up with a joint COVID-19 vaccination policy that they say will ultimately lead to unpaid leave or termination for unvaccinated staff.
Find out more.
Alberta Health Services requires employees and contracted health-care workers to be vaccinated
Alberta Health Services announced Tuesday it would require all employees and contracted health-care providers — including physicians — to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Find out more.
WestJet will require all workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
WestJet will require all of its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 30.
Find out more.
Experts say Air Canada's strict new employee vaccine policy could set new workplace bar
Air Canada won't offer rapid testing as an alternative to employees who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The airline says it will require all employees to be vaccinated by October 30.
Find out more.
Sarah Visca is the Operations Manager at ConnectsUs HR, a company that provides tools & resources to quickly set up a Human Resources department.
You can contact her here.
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