COVID-19 Updates | Daily Workplace Round Up for May 6, 2020

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Below are the key announcements from the Federal, Ontario, Alberta and B.C. governments that touch on workplace issues for May 6, 2020. 

Federal

Warning to Businesses: Take Immediate Action to Comply with Marketing & Labelling Laws

The Competition Bureau is warning all businesses against making false or misleading claims that their products and services can prevent, treat or cure COVID-19.

On May 6, 2020, the Bureau issued direct compliance warnings to a variety of businesses across Canada to stop potentially deceptive claims, including warnings against:

• making claims that herbal remedies, bee-related products, vitamins, vegetables or other food and drink products can prevent COVID-19 infections; and
• making claims—without first conducting the testing required by law—that certain UV and ozone air sterilization systems, as well as certain air filters or air purifiers, will effectively kill or filter out the virus.

Businesses could face severe financial penalties and jail time if their marketing practices do not comply with the law.

Checklist for businesses:

• Know the law: The Competition Act prohibits false or misleading claims about any product, service, or business interest. This includes both the literal meaning of the claims and the general impression they create.
  • The Competition Act also prohibits any performance claims that are not backed up by adequate and proper testing, which must be conducted before the claims are made. Such testing must also be conducted on the product being sold (not a “similar” or “comparable” product), must reflect its real world usage (such as in-home use), and the results of the tests must support the general impression created by the claims.
  • The Textile Labelling Act and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act also prohibit false or misleading claims on the labels of consumer textiles and prepackaged products. 
• Review your marketing practices: Conduct a comprehensive review of your marketing practices to identify any claims that could reasonably be associated with COVID-19. This may include claims on websites, social media and product labelling. It may also include the keywords in website metadata or online advertising campaigns used to attract customers to your website.
• Take corrective action: Take immediate action to correct any potentially false, misleading or untested claims and ensure your marketing practices comply with the law.
• Promote continued compliance: Businesses of all types and sizes can minimize their risk of engaging in false or misleading advertising and other anticompetitive activity by maintaining a corporate compliance program.

For more information, check out this news release from the Competition Bureau Canada.

Ontario

Eases Restrictions on Retail Stores & Essential Construction

The Ontario government is allowing all retail stores with a street entrance to provide curbside pickup and delivery, as well as in-store payment and purchases at garden centres, nurseries, hardware stores and safety supply stores.

• As early as Friday, May 8 at 12:01 a.m., garden centres and nurseries will be able to open for in-store payment and purchases, operating under the same guidelines as grocery stores and pharmacies.

• As soon as Saturday, May 9 at 12:01 a.m., hardware stores and safety supply stores will be permitted to open for in-store payment and purchases.

• On Monday, May 11 at 12:01 a.m., retail stores with a street entrance can begin offering curbside pickup and delivery, in accordance with the Ministry of Health's Guidance Document for Essential Workplaces and occupational health and safety requirements.

• The government is also expanding essential construction to allow below-grade multi-unit residential construction projects like apartments and condominiums to begin and existing above-grade projects to continue.

Businesses should review Health and Safety Association Guidance Documents for Workplaces During the COVID-19 Outbreak.

For more information, check out this news release. 

Extends Electricity Relief for Residential, Farm & Small Business Customers until May 31

The Ontario government is extending emergency electricity rate relief to families, farms and small businesses until May 31, 2020. This electricity rate relief, initially provided for a 45-day period starting on March 24, 2020, has been extended by an emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

The government is also extending all emergency orders that have been put in place to-date under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act until May 19, 2020.

See this news release for the full list of emergency orders being extended until May 19.

Alberta

$17.8 Million Phased Relief for Child Care Sector 

Up to $17.8 million in grants will be provided to child care centres and approved family day home agencies to ensure they are ready to safely restart and support families through Alberta’s economic recovery.

Day care centres and out-of-school care centres will benefit from a phased approach for these supports.

Phase 1 - $6.7 million:

• Centres will immediately receive a one-time grant to cover up to 25% of overhead costs like rent and utilities. This accounts for the remaining portion of expenses not covered by funding under federal programs.

Phase 2 - $3.2 million:

• Upon reopening, centres will receive a grant for cleaning and sanitation supplies to adhere to public health guidelines, as well as to assist with staff recruitment and training.

Phase 3 - $6.9 million:

• After three months of being open, centres will potentially receive a third grant to offset deferred bills and to address unforeseen operational issues. This will be based on an assessment of other federal and provincial support programs.

For more information, check out this news release.

British Columbia

Outlines Plan to Gradually Restart B.C. Safely

The provincial government announced it's plans today to gradually return to normal life in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

B.C. is currently in Phase 1 of the restart plan:

• Enhanced resources for hospitals and health care;
• Child care for essential workers;
• K-12: Online and in-class learning;
• Non-essential businesses;
• Construction, manufacturing, agriculture, silviculture. 

Phase 2, which will begin in mid-May, includes:

• small social gatherings;
• a resumption of elective surgeries and regulated health services like physiotherapy, dentistry, chiropractors and in-person counselling;
• provincial parks open for day use;
• opening more non-essential businesses in keeping with safe operations plans;
• recalling the provincial legislature for regular sittings.

As of next weekend, gatherings with two to six guests will be acceptable, "as long as there's a strict understanding that no one will socialize if they have any symptoms of COVID-19, including coughing and sneezing". 

In the next few weeks, British Columbians can also expect the return of services like hair salons, retail stores, museums, libraries, restaurants, pubs, office-based workplaces, transit, sports leagues, provincial parks and child care.

Here are some of the province's expectations for the reopening of specific sectors:

Retail (beginning in mid-May):

• Measures to reduce lineups by setting up more checkout stations.
• Installing plexiglas to protect workers.
• Encouraging online shopping.
• Encouraging use of masks.
• Reminding customers not to shop when they're sick.

Hair salons, barbers and spas (beginning in mid-May):

• Requiring appointments.
• Reducing or eliminating waiting areas.
• Reminding clients not to come in for services when they're sick.
• Encouraging use of masks.

Child care (beginning in mid-May):

• Routine screening of children and staff for symptoms.
• Clear policies about not attending when displaying symptoms of illness.

Schools (September):

• Daily screening of staff and students.
• Frequent cleaning.
• Smaller class sizes.
• Clear policies around not attending when displaying symptoms of illness.
• Planning for increased use of online learning, especially for high school students.
• 14-day self-isolation policies for arriving international students.

Sports, recreation and camps (beginning in mid-May):

• Daily screening for symptoms.
• Low contact sports are considered safer.
• Clear policies around not attending when displaying symptoms of illness.
• Those at higher risk of serious illness should not participate.

Learn more about B.C.'s Restart Plan and for more information, check out this news release. 

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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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