The City of Ottawa has developed a business reopening toolkit, in consultation with Ottawa Public Health, to help businesses answer critical questions before they can reopen safely.

 

The gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the months to come will bring new challenges for local businesses to navigate, as well as opportunities to innovate. As Ontario begins to reopen the economy, it is encouraged that all Ottawa businesses and organizations ensure they are prepared to go back to work safely.

 

Members of the Ottawa business community can access the toolkit online. It provides guidance on preparing your workplace, employees and operations to resume while ensuring physical distancing, and also provides links to official resources such as public health signage, sector-specific guidelines and government financial assistance programs. Information and resources will be updated regularly on the website as guidance from the Government of Ontario and Ottawa Public Health continues to evolve. The City of Ottawa has also created an Employer Outreach Toolkit to help spread the word to your employees and partners to continue supporting small businesses this holiday season and winter. You can access the tool kit here.

*** For restaurant owners who have enquired about outdoor dining and patio regulations. Please see here for specific information.***

Ottawa Public Health would like to share a few reminders on how to ensure employees are healthy and fit for work:

  • Do not permit employees to come to work if they have symptoms of COVID-19. For a full list of symptoms, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus.
  • There is currently no requirement for an asymptomatic employee to be tested before starting work. Only employees that are showing symptoms of COVID-19 should be assessed at one of the Assessment Centres or Care Clinics. Please consult OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVIDCentre for a list of criteria on who is recommended for testing.
  • To assist in reviewing any symptoms or recent history, employees should complete a health screening questionnaire before each work shift.
  • If employees develop symptoms while at work, they should notify their supervisor and return home. Employees with symptoms should check the Ottawa Public Health website for the latest guidance on next steps.
  • Remember! If physical distancing is difficult to maintain, employees are recommended to wear a non-medical mask (i.e. cloth masks) to help protect others from asymptomatic transmission. Visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Masks to learn more about when to wear a mask and where you might be able to buy them.