Public Service Workplace Transition Guidance to Step 3 of BC's Restart Plan - July 1st to September 7th (Projected)
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Public Service Workplace Transition Guidance to Step 3 of BC’s Restart
Plan - July 1st to September 7th (Projected)
Moving to Step 3 of BC’s Restart plan ends the longest provincial state of emergency in B.C.’s history.
The emergency was lifted on June 30 at 11:59 p.m. B.C.’s public health emergency remains in effect
during Step 3 to support amended public health orders from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), with
reduced requirements.
For Step 3, workplaces no longer require COVID-19 safety protocols for typical public service
workplaces. ∗ This means once the workplace fully adopts Step 3 of BC’s Restart, they will not require
physical distancing, barriers between staff or clients, or mandatory mask use.
BC’s Restart plan is predicated on progress in reducing community transmission, hospitalizations, and
deaths due to COVID-19. Dr. Bonnie Henry stated on June 29th that “BC continues to maintain our
positive momentum [on these indicators], allowing our province to safely move forward with Step 3 of
BC’s Restart plan. Transmission, hospitalizations and deaths are all declining as immunizations are going
up.”
Moving into Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan
Workplaces can transition from Step 2 to Step 3 of BC’s Restart plan at their own pace. Workplaces that
are open to the public or clients must align with the Public Health Officer’s current statement that masks
are recommended in public indoor settings for all people 12 and older who are not yet fully vaccinated.
This will help in avoiding tension between masked and unmasked clients and staff. For staff, mask use is
always a personal choice.
Check with your ministry for any polices and guidance around masking or other specific COVID-19
protocols.
While COVID-19 is now being managed primarily through vaccination, like all communicable diseases, it
may still circulate in our communities. As COVID-19 cases continue to decline and as BC moves into Step
3 of BC’s Restart, workplaces must have the following policies and procedures in place to continue to
protect staff in our workplaces.
Workplaces may be required to quickly reinstate COVID-19 protocols including masking, distancing,
capacity limits, etc. in localized areas based on orders or guidance from a local Medical Health Officer.
∗
Does not apply to congregate living situations (jails, holding cells, residential facilities) or health careClear Form
Step 3 Transition Template
Workplace Location Name: Naikoon Park Headquarters Tlell, Haida Gwaii
Date Posted at the workplace: 7/5/21
Workplace Transition Date start: 7/5/21
Workplace fully implemented Step 3 Target Date: 8/3/21
During Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan our Workplace Has the Following Communicable
Disease Prevention Procedures in Place
Workforce Health
• Staff who are feeling unwell must not attend the workplace
• If a staff member begins to feel unwell at work, they must leave the workplace immediately
• Staff who are unable to attend the workplace must speak with their supervisor about leave options
• Staff who are unwell and require leave can access STIIP information here
o Bargaining Unit Employees
o Excluded Employees and OIC Appointments
In some cases, and if operationally feasible, staff may be able to work from home while they are unwell
or during a period of isolation due to a COVID-19 exposure. Discuss with your supervisor.
Personal Hygiene and Workplace Cleaning
Staff must wash or sanitize their hands upon entry to the workplace and throughout the day, especially
before and after eating, drinking, or smoking.
• The worksite will continue to provide hand sanitizer stations
• All staff must cough or sneeze into their sleeve or cover their mouth/nose with tissues.
Normal contact cleaning will continue in the workplace. Extra high-touchpoint cleaning throughout the
day or cleaning client areas midday are no longer required, and workplaces can return to pre-COVID-19
cleaning levels at their own pace. Staff must keep their personal workplaces clean.
Staff must continue “Clean In. Clean Out” for:
• Shared workstations
• Meeting Rooms
• Photocopier rooms/equipment
• Lunch/break rooms
o Tables, counters, microwaves, kitchen appliances
o No dishes left on counters or in sinks at any timeVaccination Leave Public Health recommends full vaccination for Canadians as a key strategy to prevent further infections in our communities from the coronavirus and its recent, more virulent variants. Being fully vaccinated with approved vaccines offers an additional level of personal protection from COVID-19 related illness when in the workplace or during personal activities. All employees may take reasonable time off as paid leave to get the COVID-19 vaccine or to take their dependent children to get the COVID-19 vaccine. All employees may take reasonable time off as unpaid leave to take someone considered a close relative, whether by blood or not, who needs the employee’s assistance to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Please discuss scheduling any leave with your supervisor. Provide as much notice as possible to your supervisor so they can consider and address any operational impacts before approving your leave. Supervisors are encouraged to support employees who require leave to get the COVID-19 vaccine or assist dependents in getting the COVID-19 vaccine and should be flexible in approving the leave. Please contact AskMyHR with any questions. Workplace Ventilation Ventilation aims to reduce aerosol transmission risk of viral particles and provides a layer of protection from COVID-19. Workplaces with mechanical ventilation (more commonly known as “Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems” or HVAC) are maintained and operated to American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (AHSRAE) standards as listed by WorkSafeBC. The Real Property Division, Ministry of Citizens’ Services, oversees and manages HVAC systems for most provincial public service workplaces and is following and adhering to of ASHRAE standards and WorkSafeBC regulations. If your workplace uses window-mounted or wall-mounted heaters/air conditioners or radiators you may increase air flow by opening windows where possible. Focus on reducing the “three Cs” (close spaces, crowding, close contact) and reducing the duration, intensity, and frequency of contacts with others. These things together reduce the opportunity for COIVD-19 transmission. Contact the BC Public Service Agency for more information and to discuss any further protocols. Use of Stand-Alone Air Purifying/Filter Units. The use of “HEPA” equipped portable air cleaners is not necessary or recommended in mechanically ventilated workplaces. The amount of air that can pass through a stand-alone portable air cleaner is very small compared to an HVAC system. According to a recent BC CDC paper, portable air cleaners should not be relied on without substantial verification of the set-up to ensure that the air flow, and its direction, do not contribute to raising the risk of viral transmission. Stand alone portable units may be an option for unventilated spaces when no other options are available (e.g. opening windows or doors). If you have questions about your unventilated workplace, please contact the BC Public Service Agency for more information.
Other Communicable Disease Prevention Measures Describe any other communicable disease prevention measures that are are being implemented for the transition to Step 3 or for Step 3. Include the dates here for how long the measures will be in effect. Reporting COVID or Other Safety Concerns Staff should speak to their supervisor about any COVID-19 or other safety concerns. If that does not resolve the issue, involve the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee or Representative. The Health and Safety Committee members for our workplace are: List members or provide direction to an electronic list or shared drive etc. Support is available to Health and Safety Committees, managers, and supervisors by contacting Workplace Heath and Safety using AskMyHR. Confidentiality A person’s health status is private information. This includes staff, clients, and the public. Public Service staff do not have the right to inquire if someone has been vaccinated or whether the person has or had a COVID-19 infection. With the currently low level of COVID-19 community transmission the standard precautions outlined in this guidance are designed to protect staff from transmission and reduce the risk to the same level as being out in public. Being fully vaccinated with approved vaccines offers an additional level of personal protection from severe illness when in the workplace or during personal activities. We cannot deny service to an individual based on their health status. If a client appears unwell, staff should ask if they wish to continue or would like to reschedule. Staff can remind clients of the preventive measures in place and ask them to cover up and use a tissue if they are coughing or sneezing, offer them a mask, and sanitize their hands. What If There are Increases in COVID-19 Transmission or If There is a COVID-19 Outbreak in our Local Area or Community? Our workplaces will increase protections for staff based on guidance or orders from the respective Health Authority’s local Medical Health Officer for our community. Our workplaces will also follow any province-wide orders or guidance from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO). For information on PHO Orders or specific Health Authority orders and guidance, please see the PHO Orders website where local Medical Health Officer orders will also be posted. These local MHO postings will have the delegated authority of the PHO. The following table provides guidance on the common COVID-19 safety protocols while transitioning from Step 2 to Step 3, and how a workplace can react to an increase in transmission or a local outbreak based on a local Medical Health Officer’s orders or guidance. Use the first column, “Transition phase from Step 2 to Step 3” to begin to move fully to Step 3 for your workplace. This means removing many of your COVID-19 safety protocols. Workplaces can adopt Step 3 at their own pace. Workplaces that are open to the public or clients must align with the Public Health Officer’s directions on masking for public spaces to avoid conflict or confusion around mask use.
Regional/Community Elevated Confirmed Workplace
Transition phase from Step 2 to Low Levels of Community Respiratory Transmission COVID-19 Transmission
Regional/Community Step 3 Transmission Local Medical Health Officer (if office must remain open)
Risk Levels issuing orders/guidance to Medical Health Officer
increase protections Guidance
At workplace’s own pace after
When? During Step 3 & Step 4 During Step 3 and Step 4 Anytime
July 1
Plan Required Transition Guidance Transition Guidance No COVID Revert to COVID-19 Workplace Revert to COVID-19 Workplace
safety plan required Assessment Tool and protocols Assessment Tool and protocols
Daily Health Check Maintain Daily Health Checks Not required, but check ministry Follow Local Medical Health Reinstate Active daily health
specific requirements. Officer directions checks for 14 or 28 days based
Recommend as an added layer of on Local Medical Health Officer’s
protection orders/guidance
Hand Sanitizer Status Quo Status Quo Re-instate COVID-19 safety plan Re-instate COVID-19 safety plan
levels levels
Cleaning Workplace can revert to pre- Normal Contract Cleaning Follow Local Medical Health COVID Presumptive cleaning of
COVID-19 normal Contract Officer directions areas where ill workers or clients
Cleaning were situated
Cleaning supplies available for Cleaning supplies available for Follow Local Medical Health
staff at COVID-19 Level staff to Clean in and Clean out officer directions or contact BC
PSA Workplace Health and Safety
Barriers Status Quo Optional Yes, or 2m physical distancing Required
Workplace should evaluate any Workplace should evaluate any from staff or clients/public. Follow Local Medical Health
benefits vs unintended risks benefits vs unintended risks Follow Local Medical Health Officer directions
Officer directions
Client/ Public Masks Recommended for indoor public Personal Choice Follow Local Medical Health Only if there is no barrier or 2m
in the Workplace spaces (not mandatory) Officer directions for region/area distancing can’t be maintained.
Offer masks to visibly unwell Offer masks to visibly unwell Length of time determined by
clients clients Local medical health officer
Staff Mask Wearing A Personal choice to wear masks Personal choice Follow Local Medical Health Recommended
Officer directions for region/area Required if 2m physical
distancing can’t be maintained
Length of time determined by
Local medical health officerRegional/Community Elevated
Confirmed Workplace
Respiratory Transmission
Low Levels of Community COVID-19 Transmission
Regional/Community Transition phase from Step 2 to Local Medical Health Officer
Transmission (if office must remain open)
Risk Levels Step 3 issuing orders/guidance to
Medical Health Officer
increase protections for staff or
Guidance
clients
At workplace’s own pace after
When? During Step 3 & Step 4 During Step 3 & Step 4 Anytime
July 1
Physical Distancing Maintain physical distancing until Not required. This includes Follow Local Medical Health Distancing required if there are
Between Clients or moving fully to Step 3 elevators, and all indoor public Officer directions no barriers between clients and
Clients & Staff areas staff
Occupancy Limits Check ministry specific No Limitations, remove signs but Follow Local Medical Health Reinstate COVID-19 Occupancy
requirements for client/public leave floor stickers and any Officer directions and/or limits in staff and client/public
areas. Incrementally increase difficult to remove directional reinstate COVID-19 Occupancy areas
occupancy limits in staff areas to signs in place in case Local limits in staff and client/public
full capacity - see lunchrooms Medical Health Officer requires areas
below reinstatement
Meeting Spaces Use largest available No limitations Use largest available, 2m Virtual meetings recommended.
distancing recommended Physical distancing required in
meeting rooms for 14 days
Essential in Person Continue to limit occupancy in No limitations Follow Local Medical Health Reschedule or Virtual for 14 or
Training training room and maintain 2m Officer directions 28 days
distancing Physical distancing required in
meeting rooms for 14 o 28 days
Lunchrooms Continue with 2m distancing No limitations No shared food Closed
No shared food, clean in/out Avoid shared food, clean in clean Cleaning precautions, physical Follow Local Medical Health
PHO direction on masks out distancing, clean in clean out Officer directions
Field Work Continue with 2m distancing No restrictions Follow Local Medical Health Workers who were in the office
Meeting Clients or until moving fully to Step 3 Officer directions during the outbreak must be
Public distanced and wear a mask when
dealing with clients or public
Shared Vehicle Use One occupant per row, diagonal No restrictions One occupant per row, diagonal Multiple occupants in one vehicle
seating, all occupants masked seating, all occupants masked not recommended for 14 or 28
days
Workplace Status quo No restriction Limit high intensity exercise and Closed until hygiene plan in place
Exercise/Gyms number of people in gym and and follow Local Medical Health
follow Local Medical Health Officer direction
Officer direction
*Does not apply to congregate living situations (jails, holding cells, residential facilities)Implementation Checklist
Supervisor’s Checklist: Transition Guidance Moving to Step 3 of BC Restart
Item Date/Comments
Check ministry specific requirements or guidance on changes to
July 5, 2021 Kevin Jardine announcement
COVID-19 protocols
List any workplace specific communicable disease prevention
measures in the transition plan that supplement the Public Service No additional measures
standard items
Meet with staff regularly to discuss removing COVID-19 safety
regular informal discussions, safety meeting item
protocols and transitioning to Step 3
Answer any staff questions or resolve any staff issues about
COVID-19 Yes
Send a copy of the Transition Guidance document to staff and the
Yes July 5th, 2021
Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee. Be sure to
include when the workplace will be fully implementing Step 3.
Archive the Workplace COVID-19 Assessment Tool, completed
Filed with Nanaimo and L:
updates and workplace COVID protocols for easy retrieval in case
they are needed due to an increase in community transmission
Haida Gwaii
Remove unneeded signs and store in case they are required due to
an increase in community transmission and COVID-19 protocols
have to be implemented again
July 5th, 2021
Post new “Masks Recommended ” or similar signs in Client/Public
areas
July 5th, 2021
Post any new signs required by the Provincial Health Officer or
your Local Health Authority See MyHR for more information July 5th, 2021
Post a copy of the Transition Guidance Document in the workplace Sent to Christina Frank July 7 2021
and online
Monitor your Local Health Authority news bulletins and website
regarding any COVID-19 issues in your community yes, regularly
Complete informal walk around inspections to ensure the
communicable disease protocols are being followed. Correct as Complete week of July 5th
necessary and provide more training if required
Ask the Joint Occupation Health and Safety Committee to include
communicable disease prevention in regular workplace inspections Complete week of July 5th
until Step 4 of the BC’s Restart planYou can also read
