We understand that these are challenging times for businesses and workplaces in our communities. Here you will find guidance documents and resources to help prepare your workplace for COVID-19.
The COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open outlines restrictions currently required for businesses. Beginning Monday, November 23, the Southwestern Public Health region will enter the Orange (Restrict) level. Please note: All Southwestern Public Health guidance documents below reflect the restrictions in place in the Green (Prevent) level. Please review the additional restrictions currently in place on the Government of Ontario website.
If you have questions about impacts to your business, visit the Government of Ontario’s frequently asked questions and Stop The Spread Business Information page or call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.
COVID-19 Workplace Screening Tool
Face covering information for businesses
Provincial Face Covering Information- MOH Letter of Instruction Regarding Face Coverings - Revised November 23, 2020
- Memo: Message to Businesses Regarding Revision of Letter of Instruction
- Mandatory Face Covering FAQ
- Toolkit for Workplaces
- Signage: Face Covering Entrance Poster (full colour)
- Signage: Face Covering Entrance Poster (black & white)
- Signage: Simple Face Covering Poster
General guidance documents and resources for your workplace
Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework – Orange Restrictions- Infographic: Orange Tier Restrictions (Intermediate Measures) (SWPH)
- COVID-19 Workplace Screening Tool (Ministry of Health)
- Video: Preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace (English)
- Resources to Prevent COVID-19 in the Workplace (Ministry of Health)
- Guidance: Public Health Principles for Public Spaces (SWPH)
- Information for Workplaces and COVID-19 (SWPH)
- Develop your COVID-19 workplace safety plan
- COVID-19 Guidance for Workplace Outbreaks (Ministry of Health)
- COVID-19 Guidance for Workplace Outbreak Management (SWPH)
- Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety: COVID-19 Guidance and Tip Sheets (CCOHS)
- Guidance for Public Washrooms (SWPH)
- Guidance for Office Environments (SWPH)
- Guidance for Physical Barriers (SWPH)
- COVID-19 Guidance for Reducing Risk from Contaminated Surfaces
- Poster: Keeping Businesses Safe During COVID-19 (SWPH)
- Infographic: Keeping Businesses Safe During COVID-19 (SWPH)
- Bulletin: Public Health Guidance and Regulations Related to OHSA and Reopening Ontario Act (SWPH)
Personal Service Settings (PSS)
- Guidance for Personal Care Services Sector (Workplace Safety and Prevention Services)
- Guidelines for Personal Service Settings (SWPH Stage 3)
- Hair Salon Workplace Checklist (SWPH Stage 3)
- Tattoo and Body Piercing Workplace Checklist (SWPH Stage 3)
- Nail Salon Workplace Checklist (SWPH Stage 3)
- Public Health Ontario: Guide to infection prevention and control in personal service settings
Food Premises
- Guidance for Food Premises (SWPH)
- Guidance for Physical Barriers (SWPH)
- COVID-19 Data Collection Notice
Fitness Facilities
- Multi-Use Sport and Recreational Facilities Checklist (SWPH)
- Guidance for Facilities for Sports and Recreational Fitness Activities (Ontario)
- Guidance for Gyms, Fitness Studios and Community Centres (SWPH)
- Orange (Restrict) Tier Physical Distancing Sign
If you are looking for a guidance document specific to your workplace that has not been listed here, please refer to:
- Resources to Prevent COVID-19 in the Workplace (Ministry of Health Guidance Documents)
- Public Services Health and Safety Association
- Workplace Safety North
- Workplace Safety and Prevention Services
- Infrastructure Health and Safety Association
Seasonal Farm Workers
- Video: Preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace (Spanish)
- Signage: Infographic: Physical Distancing for Farm Workers (English)
- Signage: Infographic: Physical Distancing for Farm Workers (Spanish)
- Signage: Physical Distancing Poster (Spanish)
For more information on managing seasonal housing, visit our seasonal housing page.
Class Order, Section 22 (for agricultural farms)
- Class Order - Amended July 10, 2020 4pm
- Fact Sheet - Amended July 10, 2020 4pm
- Media Release
- Media Release # 2
Signage
- Physical Distancing Poster
- How to Practice Safe Physical Distancing
- Wash Your Hands Poster
- Staying Healthy Brochure
- If You’re Sick, Don’t Visit
- How to Wash Your Hands Poster
- COVID-19 Mental Health Poster
Useful Resources
- Visitor Log Contract Tracing Information
- Ministry of Health: COVID-19 Support for Workers website
- Ministry of Health: Support for Businesses including the Business Information Line
- Infographic: Coping with Stress during the COVID-19 Outbreak
Infection Prevention and Control
- Mixing of Bleach Solution for Disinfecting
- Southwestern Public Health Infection Control Resources & Information
- Workplace PPE Supplier Directory
- Cleaning & Disinfection in Public Spaces
- What you need to know about face coverings and face masks
- Video: How to properly put on and take off a cloth mask
- Alternative PPE Supplier List
Financial Relief
- Government of Ontario COVID-19 Support for Businesses
- Community Futures Oxford Business Resource Centre Regional Relief Recovery Fund
- Elgin Business Resource Centre Regional Relief Recovery Fund
Get more COVID-19 information
- COVID-19 dashboard
- COVID-19 general information
- COVID-19 information for community settings
- COVID-19 information for schools and child care centres
- COVID-19 assessment centres in Oxford, Elgin and St. Thomas
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