On the guidelines for businesses that are starting to reopen, Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry says these are not regulations, what they are, are guidance documents.
The only exception is the requirement to have a COVID-19 safety plan which needs to be posted where the public can see it.
Henry says guidance needs to be adapted to your unique situation. “Your business, your physical layout, the population you serve, the employees that you have. You need to make accommodation for the concerns that your employees may have.”
“Our approach, and our approach on regular times, is that we take an educational approach. Our first line of action is not to fine people or shut them down, it’s to ensure that they are taking the necessary actions that we need to keep people safe.”
Henry says there are abilities for environmental health officers to shut down a business if they feel that there are health hazards that put the public at risk and WorkSafe BC has provisions to fine people if needed. But, the first approach is to help people through this.
Meanwhile, Acumen Law’s Kyla Lee says the need to post guidelines is an important rule.
“It allows the public to make an informed decision before going to a business about whether they think that they can, first of all comply with the businesses COVID-19 plan, and also whether they want to take the risk associated with entering that business.”
Lee says if a business has not posted the information, the first step is to contact them and say ‘you need to post this’.
“Just to remind them of the existence of the order and to direct them to comply. And if then they don’t comply there might be additional enforcement, an on-site visit. And if there’s still no compliance after that then you’re get into escalating penalties where people are fined or ordered to close.”
Lee says this has been very short notice and not everyone will be well versed in the guidelines, so some leniency needs to be given.
Henry says if you have concerns about your workplace environment, WorkSafe BC is the place to go or your union if you’re a unionized employee. She says customers with concerns can contact your local public health office.
