Review the City’s Communicable Disease Plan PDF file (647 KB) that outlines essential safety protocols aligned with direction from the province, public health, and WorkSafeBC. Update and publicly post physical copies of site COVID-19 safety plans.
Staff can do their part by following all safety measures, especially staying home if they have any COVID-19 symptoms and calling 8-1-1 for direction.
This page has the latest updates to help answer your questions about COVID-19 health and safety.
Working at City work sites
When you are working at an office or work site, ensure you follow all COVID-19 safety requirements.
If you are working at City Hall, remember to carry your City ID/access card as floor access from stairwells and elevators is key card access only. Report any security concerns or incidents through regular processes.
If you are fully vaccinated, you need to self-isolate at home for five days and until your symptoms improve and you no longer have a fever.
After your self-isolation period, staff can return to daily activities while wearing a mask at all times for another five days (even in situations where a mask would not be required, for example sitting at a workstation with proper physical distancing).
You do not need to be re-tested for COVID-19 to end your self-isolation period and return to your normal activities.
If your coworker has symptoms
You do not need to self-isolate unless you test positive for COVID-19 or develop symptoms of COVID-19. You do need to self-monitor.
If you develop symptoms, stay home until they have improved, and check the self-assessment tool to see if you should get a test.
Staff who are off sick do not have to tell their managers or co-workers if it is due to COVID-19, as that is private. We do not notify employees of the status of other employees, to respect their privacy.
Whether notified of a COVID-19 exposure or not, everyone should routinely monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.
Extra cleaning of worksites to prevent COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, they must be kept clean as appropriate for the operational need. Public Health may require increased cleaning protocols if there is an outbreak or public health concern for a facility or region.
If a co-worker departs the workplace with symptoms, their workstation or tools must be cleaned by whoever is close and available. Spray with available disinfectant, wait about 10 minutes wipe dry with paper towel.
Discuss concerns with your manager and seek solutions that fit within City guidelines and under collective agreements. Workplace accommodation to work entirely remotely based on a valid medical condition are rare and temporary. Medical notes can help provide some of this information but will not be enough to make this assessment on their own. We may review cases to ensure the employee has a confirmed medical condition and that its related restrictions or limitations prevent them from performing the required duties of their role.
Mask use
To align with the latest public health guidance, masks are no longer required in City public and workspaces. At your preference, you are welcome to continue to wear a mask on the job for personal protection.
Important note Some specific roles will require the continued use of masks as PPE. Those of you subject to those requirements must continue to wear masks at work or while performing specific work activities. As always, everyone is expected to follow safety protocols applicable to our roles at all times.
The BCCDC provides guidance on different types of mask use for COVID-19. This guidance helps to direct City resources appropriately for controlling COVID-19 exposures and other occupational exposures. Learn more about the types of masks should be used in the described scenarios PDF file (166 KB).
The City is not using N95 respirators as standard PPE for COVID-19 protection as this is not supported by Public Health. Public health continues to recommend the use of three-layer medical masks. Operations will provide disposable medical masks to staff in roles that require them. Staff in roles that do not require masks as part of formal PPE, for example, office staff, will continue to use their own masks.
A provincial health officer order External website, opens in new tab requires people five years of age and older to wear masks in indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status. Visitors must wear masks in our public spaces and office areas, such as community centres, City Hall common areas, libraries, and at service counters.
Vaccines
We collectively support the Provincial Health Officer's efforts to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on our workplaces and the community.
Based on the current state of the pandemic, employees are encouraged to get their initial booster shot when eligible, and can use up to three hours for that purpose. As with your other COVID-19 vaccinations, you should make every reasonable effort to schedule the appointment at a time outside of work hours, if possible.
Approval for time off is subject to operational requirements and manager approval. Managers should make every reasonable effort to approve these requests. The approved time should be coded as regular time and does not require a special time code.
If sick and going for COVID-19 testing to confirm then the time should be coded as sick leave. If you are required by Public Health to get tested and are without symptoms, you should make every reasonable effort to schedule outside of working hours, if possible, but after the test the isolation pay code should be used while waiting for results, one to two days.
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