How to ensure your workplace is properly sanitized for the safety of your employees

The light at the end of the tunnel is finally coming into view. As of July 1, British Columbia has officially moved into Step 3 of the BC Restart Plan. At this stage, more than 70% of Canadian adults have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and COVID-19 cases have been in steady decline. 

What’s New?

Stage 3 marks the beginning of the transition back to normal life. The safety protocols and restrictions that have been in place throughout the pandemic will now be removed allowing us to resume our pre-pandemic way of life. While most of the restrictions are being lifted, a select few will remain in place to ensure a stable transition. Here is what businesses can expect during Stage 3 of the recovery. 

• Recreational travel to and from British Columbia can resume for fully vaccinated travelers.
• Business offices can return to normal operation with on-site staff provided they are physically able to maintain required safety measures.  
• Restaurants, nightclubs, bars, and casinos can return to in-person service.
• Large organized events like festivals, professional sports, concerts, and reunions can resume but are restricted to 50% of the location’s maximum occupancy limit.
• Wearing a mask is no longer mandatory, however, continuing to wear a mask in social settings is strongly encouraged. 

Although in Stage 3 we can begin easing restrictions, the virus is still circulating within the community and in the surrounding regions so vigilance and mitigation measures will still be required to prevent another outbreak. As an employer, the law dictates that you must ensure the health and safety of your employees in the workplace. 

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

Developing a communicable disease prevention plan will help you meet that responsibility. The Provincial Health Officer provides the following list to use as a base point.