Thursday, January 1, 2026
ADVT 
National

WorkSafe BC issues COVID-19 guidelines as businesses ready to reopen

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 May, 2020 11:16 PM
  • WorkSafe BC issues COVID-19 guidelines as businesses ready to reopen

British Columbia's workplace safety agency released new guidelines Friday as businesses across the province get set to reopen.

WorkSafe BC's guidelines cover sectors ranging from restaurants to offices, including guidance on how many people should be allowed in a business as well as controlling entry and exit points.

In every industry, the guidelines emphasize having as little contact with customers as possible and ensuring social distance is maintained.

It also advises businesses to follow the protocol on gatherings, limiting events, such as museum tours, and working to establish safe occupancy limits.

It says specific guidelines for sports and recreation as well as child care will be released later.

But before reopening, WorkSafe says businesses need to ensure they have a COVID-19 safety plan to protect workers and it must be displayed.

It says employers should work with employees to ensure businesses remain safe.

"The planning process should involve workers for their input to ensure their concerns are heard and addressed," said Al Johnson, WorkSafe BC's head of prevention services, in a statement.

The agency says it will continue developing industry-specific guidelines as more businesses across B.C. begin reopening over the coming months.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has previously said businesses are under no obligation to reopen on Tuesday, and they should only do so when they are ready.

MORE National ARTICLES

Taxi Companies Ask B.C. Court To Stay Ride-Hailing Approval Pending Judicial Review

VANCOUVER - A lawyer for the Vancouver Taxi Association says an uneven playing field was used by an independent board in British Columbia to allow the operation of ride-hailing companies.    

Taxi Companies Ask B.C. Court To Stay Ride-Hailing Approval Pending Judicial Review

Advocate Wants More Oversight Of Publicly Funded Long-term Care Homes In B.C.

Advocate Wants More Oversight Of Publicly Funded Long-term Care Homes In B.C.
VICTORIA - The first provincial review of British Columbia's publicly funded long-term care sector shows for-profit operators made 12 times more money than their not-for-profit counterparts but paid their employees much lower wages.    

Advocate Wants More Oversight Of Publicly Funded Long-term Care Homes In B.C.

Ripple Effect On Canadian Immigration Likely From Trump's New Visa Restrictions

Ripple Effect On Canadian Immigration Likely From Trump's New Visa Restrictions
OTTAWA - U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to slap visa restrictions on six new countries could affect immigration flows to Canada, if history is any indication, as those caught up in the changes find new reasons to come here.    

Ripple Effect On Canadian Immigration Likely From Trump's New Visa Restrictions

Report Tells Health Canada To Rethink Funding In Opioids Fight

OTTAWA - How governments fund the country's fight against the opioid crisis might explain "a lack of progress" on the issue, say newly disclosed documents on an alternative Health Canada is considering.    

Report Tells Health Canada To Rethink Funding In Opioids Fight

Canadians Returning From Wuhan To Be Quarantined In Motel At CFB Trenton

While Hajdu said she believes Canadians evacuated from Wuhan will be "very grateful to come home," she noted their return might not be easy.    

Canadians Returning From Wuhan To Be Quarantined In Motel At CFB Trenton

Westjet Flight From Toronto To Jamaica Turns Back Following Coronavirus Hoax, Man Charged

Westjet Flight From Toronto To Jamaica Turns Back Following Coronavirus Hoax, Man Charged
TORONTO - A WestJet flight from Toronto to Jamaica had to turn back Monday after the airline says a passenger made an "unfounded claim regarding coronavirus."    

Westjet Flight From Toronto To Jamaica Turns Back Following Coronavirus Hoax, Man Charged