Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/ June 30, 2021 –
Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) are working to ensure the ongoing safety of local workplaces as the province enters Step 2 of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen. To support ongoing safety of patrons and employees, inspectors will be carrying out an education and enforcement campaign at local workplaces over several days in early July to ensure businesses have all the necessary public health protocols in place.
Although COVID-19 vaccination rates continue to increase and case rates are currently low in the region, it is critical that all members of the public remain vigilant and continue to follow public health measures such as proper distancing from others, good hand hygiene and wearing a mask when in public spaces, to prevent the potential transmission of COVID-19.
To provide support and education to local businesses, provincial inspectors, supported by by-law enforcement and police, will be visiting a variety of venues as part of the campaign, including but not limited to:
“The majority of businesses are following COVID-19 requirements to protect the health and safety of their workers and customers and I want to thank them for their ongoing efforts to protect their employees and our community,” said Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH. “This campaign will help ensure businesses have the information they need to operate safely as we enter Step 2 of reopening.”
Preparing for Step 2 of Reopening on June 30
As the Province enters Step 2 of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen plan on June 30, HPEPH reminds businesses to ensure the following procedures are in place prior to reopening or expanding services:
- restaurants;
- wineries;
- personal service settings e.g. hairdressers;
- golf courses;
- marinas;
- hotels, resorts, B&Bs; and
- garden centres.
HPEPH also encourages workplaces to make it as easy as possible for employees to get their first and second dose of COVID-19 vaccine and allow attendance at vaccination appointments during regular work hours, if necessary. The sooner everyone gets two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, the sooner the Hastings and Prince Edward region will develop an increased community immunity against the virus. Currently, anyone aged 18 and older is eligible to book their second dose of vaccine 28 days after their first. For booking information, visit https://hpepublichealth.ca/vaccine-booking.
Further guidance to help businesses operate more safely during COVID-19 is available at Ontario.ca/covidsafety. Workplaces can also access the following resources to help raise awareness of COVID safety in the workplace:
- COVID-19 worker and employee screening tool
- Developing a COVID-19 workplace safety plan
- Resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace
- Guidance for employers during breaks
- Break poster
- Lunch poster
- Keep it to yourself poster
- Workplace Personal Protective Equipment Supplier Directory
Local business owners or operators who have questions about current regulations are invited to visit our COVID-19 Resources for Workplaces web page, complete our online form, or call 1-800-267-2803 ext. 677. We look forward to continuing to work with local businesses owners and workplaces to keep our community safe.
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Media contacts
Emily Tubbs
etubbs@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
mhyland@hpeph.ca
