Adding infections caused by communicable viral pathogens, including COVID-19, to Schedule 1 of the Workers Compensation Act
On July 22, 2020, our Board of Directors approved amendments to Schedule 1 of the Workers Compensation Act (Act) to add a presumption for infections caused by communicable viral pathogens, which are the subject of a B.C.-specific emergency declaration or notice.
Consequential amendments were also made to Item C4-28.00, Contagious Diseases, and Appendix 2 of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II to reflect the Schedule 1 amendment.
These amendments will come into effect on October 26, 2020.
On July 14, 2020, the Minister of Labour tabled Bill 23, which proposes to eliminate the mandated 90-day waiting period in the Act before a WorkSafeBC regulatory amendment comes into effect, in relation to an occupational disease that is an infection caused by a communicable viral pathogen. If Bill 23 is passed before October 26, 2020, the effective date of the Schedule 1 amendment and consequential amendments will be adjusted accordingly.
You can also review the complete Resolution.