Criteria for employers
• Employers must comply with all laws and policies regarding the employer-employee relationship during the self-isolation period
• Employers must give foreign workers their regular pay and benefits during the self-isolation period. No amount may be deducted from a worker’s pay due to self-isolation and proof of wages should be kept. For workers in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, the provisions of the applicable contract must be followed.
• Employers cannot authorize workers to work during the self-isolation period even if requested by the worker. Exceptions apply to workers who have been deemed to be providing an essential service by the Chief Public Health Officer.
• Employers must regularly monitor the health of workers who are self-isolating
• Employers must arrange for symptomatic workers to be fully and immediately isolated from others and contact local health officials
• Employers must ensure that all workers have access to proper hygiene.
• Employers should provide information to the worker on COVID-19 either on or before their first day of self-isolation.
• Employers, and all Canadian residents, should report Quarantine Act violations to local law enforcement. This includes workers that do not respect the mandatory self-isolation period.
Additional criteria for employers providing accommodations
In cases where the requirements cannot be met, employers must find alternate accommodations, such as a hotel, in order to respect self-isolation requirements.
• Employers must provide housing for self-isolating workers that is separate from those who are not in self-isolation.
• Employers can house workers who are subject to self-isolation together, but the housing must enable them to be two metres apart at all times
• Employers should ensure that surfaces in the accommodations are cleaned and disinfected regularly.
• Employers should post information about preventing the spread of COVID-19 in their accommodations,
• Employers must ensure the accommodations allow workers to avoid contact with people over age 65, and people with medical conditions who are at risk of developing a serious illness. For example, a caregiver to a senior must be housed in separate accommodations for the duration of the self-isolation period.
