Below are the key government announcements made on June 11, 2020 that touch on workplace issues. Our daily (weekday) and weekend overviews of previous government announcements, employment analyses and other COVID-19 information are available here.
The Federal Government
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 11, 2020.
Alberta
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 11, 2020.
British Columbia
On June 10, 2020, the government extended the provincial State of Emergency until June 23, 2020. Also, WorkSafeBC published a safety protocol for first aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. The protocol describes procedures that employers and employees should take when providing first aid, including cleaning and hygiene, and the provision of CPR.
On June 11, 2020, WorkSafeBC published health and safety guidelines for employers in the accommodation industry, which includes hotels, motels, hostels, and parks, as well as the Motion Picture and Television production industry.
The Solicitor General enacted the Protection Against Liability for Sports (COVID-19) Order. This Order immunizes sports organizations, directors, officers, employees and volunteers of sport organizations from liability for damages resulting directly or indirectly from exposure to COVID-19 as a result of the provision of an organized sport activity. This immunization is conditional on the organization providing the sport activity in compliance with all applicable emergency and public health guidance, or a reasonable belief that the activity was provided in accordance with such guidance, and excludes gross negligence.
The Provincial Health Officer published a revised Order affecting food service establishments and liquor services. Under the revised Order, businesses must calculate the maximum number of patrons and staff that can be accommodated on premises while standing or sitting 2-metres apart. This maximum must be recorded in the business' COVID-19 Safety Plan, and this number of staff and patrons should not be exceeded on premises at any time. The revised Order also sets out additional orders relating to hygiene and physical distancing practices.
Manitoba
The government released a draft of Phase 3 of its reopening plan, tentatively scheduled for implementation on June 21, 2020. Proposed measures in the draft plan include:
- increasing permissible gatherings to up to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors;
- developing guidelines for faith-based and other cultural gatherings, pow wows and other Indigenous cultural and spiritual gatherings, and small summer fairs and festivals;
- easing border restrictions to allow residents of western Canada and northwest Ontario to enter Manitoba without the need to self-isolate for 14 days;
- resuming regular licensed capacity for child-care centres with guidelines in place;
- increasing group sizes for day camps from 24 children to 50;
- increasing indoor occupancy levels for community/service centres and senior centres/clubs;
- allowing people employed by or affiliated with a film production to enter Manitoba without self-isolating for 14 days;
- allowing people employed by or affiliated with a professional sports team to enter Manitoba without self-isolating for 14 days;
- removing occupancy limits for retail businesses while ensuring physical distancing measures are in place;
- increasing indoor and patio occupancy limits to 75% of total capacity for restaurants, bars, beverage rooms, brew pubs, microbreweries and distilleries; and
- lifting occupancy limits for regulated and non-regulated health professions including registered massage therapists.
Businesses can submit questions about the plan here, and provide feedback on the plan here.
New Brunswick
The government renewed the provincial State of Emergency by Order available here.
Newfoundland and Labrador
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 11, 2020.
Nova Scotia
The government announced incubator funding agreements to help start-up companies emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ontario
The government announced new COVID-19 guidance for public transit agencies, including the recommendation that passengers wear face coverings or non-medical masks while taking transit. The guidance is available here.
The government also announced the gradual resumption of visits by family and friends of residents in long-term care homes, retirement homes and other residential care settings, beginning June 18, 2020. According to a government press release:
• "Long-term care homes will allow outdoor visits of one person per resident each week at a minimum. Retirement homes will resume indoor and outdoor visits in designated areas or resident suites when physical distancing can be maintained. Other residential care settings will be able to allow outdoor visits of two people at time."
• "[Visits] will be subject to strict health and safety protocols, including requiring visitors to pass active screening every time they visit, confirming with staff that they have tested negative for COVID-19 within the previous two weeks, and complying with the infection prevention and control protocols. This includes bringing and wearing a face covering during visits."
• The following conditions must be met before visitors can enter:
- homes must not have a COVID-19 outbreak;
- homes must have an established process for communicating visitor protocol and the associated safety procedures; and
- homes must maintain the highest infection prevention and control standards.
Additional guidance released by the government is available here (long term care homes) and here (retirement homes).
Finally, the government announced $5.7-million in funding to help small businesses reach more customers, create and enhance their online presence, and generate jobs through an online platform called the Digital Main Street.
Prince Edward Island
There were no major government updates as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 11, 2020.
Quebec
In the National Assembly, debate continued on Bill 61, An Act to restart Québec's economy and to mitigate the consequences of the public health emergency declared on 13 March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government tabled 20 amendments to its proposed Bill 61, in response to opposition parties' requests.
The government also announced an investment of $750-million in the provincial tourism industry.
Saskatchewan
The government announced that the proposed start date for Phase 4 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan will be confirmed early next week.
In preparation for the first part of Phase 4, the plan was updated with new guidelines for:
- child and youth day camps;
- outdoor pools and splash pads; and
- individual and group outdoor sports and activities.
The plan's guidelines for group gatherings were also amended as follows:
- the number of people allowed in places of worship is 1/3 of the seating capacity or 150 people – whichever is less; and
- the number of people allowed to attend an outdoor graduation ceremony is 30 graduates per class, with a maximum attendance of 150 people (including graduates, guests and staff members).
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
There were no major government updates in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories or the Yukon as of 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on June 11, 2020.
