Published on: February 05, 2021

The provincial health officer (PHO) has issued an order to all employers that includes requirements for a number of sectors.

The sectors included in the order are sports and recreation, gyms and fitness centres, accommodation, faith-based organizations, performing arts, movie theatres, retail and vending markets, and party buses and limousines.

This order applies to all areas of the province and remains in place until otherwise advised by the PHO.

On December 17, the PHO issued a Workplace Safety order that includes a number of requirements for all employers, including:

• Employers must review their COVID-19 Safety Plan to ensure that the plan adequately protects workers from the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace and is consistent with WorkSafeBC requirements. Our Reviewing and updating your COVID-19 safety plan: A guide for employers resource may be helpful for employers in reviewing their plans.
• Employers must ensure that workers are prohibited from entering the workplace if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or have had a potential exposure through a health check.
• Employers must encourage workers to work from their private residence wherever possible, unless there is a preference on the part of the worker or the employer for the worker to work at the workplace.
• COVID-19 Safety Plans must include measures to prevent workers from congregating or crowding in indoor common areas, such as elevators, lobbies, hallways, stairwells, corridors, bathrooms, meeting rooms, break rooms, and kitchens.

On December 29, 2020, the PHO issued an Industrial Camps Restart order that applies to a number of industrial projects. Affected employers are advised that they must review and comply with the requirements of this order.