With the outbreak on CONVID-19 or Coronavirus spreading rapidly, the information is quickly changing.
Employers can get regular updates through the government public health agency and Infection Prevention and Control Canada.
Kristi Hines of Hines Health Services advises to prevent human to human transmission.
“We should avoid large gatherings and stick to social distancing and any unnecessary meetings or gatherings should be stopped or postponed.”
She says the virus is like other respiratory illnesses, it can cause symptoms including a running nose, sore throat, cough and a fever but it can be more severe for some people and lead to pneumonia and even breathing difficulties.
“It could spread from person to person by larger droplets from a cough or a sneeze or by touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then touching your eyes nose or mouth.”
She says there are ways you could protect yourself and those around you and is advise employers and employees to:
- Wash you hands often
- Avoid touching your face, nose and mouth
- Use elbow bumps or waves instead of handshakes
- Avoid close contact with people who are sit
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
- Stay at home if you are ill
- Cover your cough and sneezes
- Call Health Link at 811 if you are concerned about your symptoms or believe that you may be at risk
“There currently is no vaccine for the virus so by protecting ourselves we are helping to protect others.”
Employeers have the duty to provide a safe work environment.
“When we talk about reducing the transmission of COVID-19 the World Health Organization does have recommendations if people are proceeding with large gathers, participates and staff should stay away from the events if they are ill, promote hand hygiene, soap and water or alcohol sanitizers and tissues should be easily accessible in all common areas, reduce crowding and close contact among people.”
She also says that If an employee has recently traveled internationally they could be restricted from immediately returning to the workplace before confirming that they have no symptoms of illness.
