Simcoe-Muskoka's medical officer of health has updated his instructions to businesses and organizations to include a "strong recommendation" all employers implement a COVID-19 workplace vaccination policy.
Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, sent a letter to businesses and organizations to implement changes as of Sept. 6.
"Employers are required to maintain a safe work environment for their workers," stated Dr. Gardner in a news release from the health unit. "A COVID-19 vaccination policy will help safeguard the work environment for employees and clients and will help us to achieve higher overall vaccination in the population."
The health unit website now includes updated vaccination information for employers, and recommendations for what to include in workplace vaccination policies.
Among tips on properly communicating the policy and reasons for vaccination to employees, the health unit site states the policy must include provisions for unvaccinated workers.
Either those provisions can be listed in the plan, or the policy can accommodate unvaccinated workers on a case-by-case basis.
Privacy must also be considered in workplace vaccination policies and the health unit is urging workplaces to specify in their plans how individual vaccination status of workers will be used, shared, and disposed of by employers.
Gardner's letter states the health unit is close to finalizing its own workplace vaccination policy, and will publish it once it is complete.
In addition to strongly recommending a workplace vaccination policy, Gardner's updated instructions to businesses and organizations include the following:
- Public health measures such as physical distancing, masking and hand hygiene remain in place
- Instructions apply to all individuals and do not differentiate between fully vaccinated, partially or non-vaccinated persons.
- Appointing a compliance officer for the implementation of a COVID-19 safety plan is no longer required.
- Recommends the implementation of remote operations by providing goods by mail or other delivery forms, making goods available for pick-up and providing services online, by telephone or other remote means.
- Requires face coverings and physical distancing; however, the requirement of plexiglass dividers is not referenced.
- Certain businesses must collect and keep contact information for 30 days of all staff and patrons.
- Actively screen all employees.
- Provide eye protection to individuals driving with others in a vehicle associated with work if the travel time is 15 minutes or longer.
- Provide greater clarity on HVAC requirements with the overall goal of HVAC system and unit optimization.
According to a news release issued by the health unit, these new instructions replace the last set sent out by Gardner on March 11.
