Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

WorkSafe BC issues COVID-19 guidelines as businesses ready to reopen

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 May, 2020 11:16 PM
  • WorkSafe BC issues COVID-19 guidelines as businesses ready to reopen

British Columbia's workplace safety agency released new guidelines Friday as businesses across the province get set to reopen.

WorkSafe BC's guidelines cover sectors ranging from restaurants to offices, including guidance on how many people should be allowed in a business as well as controlling entry and exit points.

In every industry, the guidelines emphasize having as little contact with customers as possible and ensuring social distance is maintained.

It also advises businesses to follow the protocol on gatherings, limiting events, such as museum tours, and working to establish safe occupancy limits.

It says specific guidelines for sports and recreation as well as child care will be released later.

But before reopening, WorkSafe says businesses need to ensure they have a COVID-19 safety plan to protect workers and it must be displayed.

It says employers should work with employees to ensure businesses remain safe.

"The planning process should involve workers for their input to ensure their concerns are heard and addressed," said Al Johnson, WorkSafe BC's head of prevention services, in a statement.

The agency says it will continue developing industry-specific guidelines as more businesses across B.C. begin reopening over the coming months.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has previously said businesses are under no obligation to reopen on Tuesday, and they should only do so when they are ready.

MORE National ARTICLES

China delays pandemic warning and 'Canada Together: In Concert'; In The News for April 16

China delays pandemic warning and 'Canada Together: In Concert'; In The News for April 16
Shania Twain performs a medley at the American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Twain, Lady Antebellum, and Luke Combs are among the headliners set to perform from their homes for a five-night broadcast event next week in support of Canada's COVID-19 relief efforts. 

China delays pandemic warning and 'Canada Together: In Concert'; In The News for April 16

Trump hints at easing Canada-U.S. travel limits

President Donald Trump signalled Wednesday that he's prepared to support easing travel restrictions along the Canada-U.S. border sooner rather than later — although the feeling may not be mutual, given the extent of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. Canada is "doing well" in its efforts to control the spread of the virus, Trump said during his daily media briefing at the White House.

Trump hints at easing Canada-U.S. travel limits

B.C. woman charged after deliberately coughing on grocery clerk: RCMP Tissues and toilet paper aren't worth arrest

A woman is facing criminal charges after RCMP in British Columbia allege she coughed at a grocery clerk who would not let her buy extra tissues. Police say a store in the Vancouver suburb of Coquitlam has set a maximum amount of tissues and toilet paper each customer can buy as the COVID-19 pandemic wears on.

B.C. woman charged after deliberately coughing on grocery clerk: RCMP Tissues and toilet paper aren't worth arrest

Canadians drinking more due to stress, boredom during COVID-19

A study commissioned by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction suggests some Canadians are drinking more alcohol due to boredom and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The poll, conducted by Nanos Research, found 25 per cent of Canadians aged 35 to 54 and 21 per cent of Canadians aged 18 to 34 say they have increased the amount of alcohol they drink while spending more time at home.    

Canadians drinking more due to stress, boredom during COVID-19

Ferries, orchestra retract layoffs, await subsidy

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and BC Ferries have rescinded lay-off notices in anticipation of receiving the Canadian government's emergency wage subsidies. Both BC Ferries and the symphony had planned layoffs to take effect on the Easter weekend as the COVID-19 pandemic drains away their businesses.

Ferries, orchestra retract layoffs, await subsidy

The Bank of Canada announced that it is holding its interest rate target at 0.25 per cent

The Bank of Canada announced that it is holding its interest rate target at 0.25 per cent
The Bank of Canada is warning that the downturn tied to COVID-19 will be the worst on record and that the economic recovery will depend on the effectiveness of current measures to bring the pandemic under control. The bank announced that it is keeping its key interest rate target on hold at 0.25 per cent, saying that it is effectively as low as it can go to combat the economic impacts of COVID-19.

The Bank of Canada announced that it is holding its interest rate target at 0.25 per cent