COVID-19 Member Updates

This special bulletin is intended to assist members in dealing with issues related to COVID-19. As you may know the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this a pandemic emergency. Given that our industry is gearing up towards the start of the season and welcoming back many employees, it is crucial to be well informed. COVID-19 protocols are rapidly changing, and we will endeavour to keep you informed as things change.

In the spirit of every challenge being an opportunity, the restrictions on international travel are like attitudes post 9/11. In the year following that event there was a strong trend to staycation and people invested heavily in their outdoor living spaces instead of travel. What a great time to garden or enjoy your backyard.

How to manage in the workplace

Ensure you have hand washing protocols in place
- Fact sheets to post in the work environment can be found here:
- Ensure employees understand their responsibility to report if they are feeling ill or of any activities that put them at risk of COVID-19.
- Communicate with your employees about HR policies around sick leave (if any).
- Ensure employees understand why they may need to self-isolate, support them in this decision and make sure they understand they will be sent home from work if they present with symptoms.
- Share the AHS Self-assessment tool with employees – https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16944.aspx
- If an employee has to self-isolate, employees and employers should work together to explore alternate working arrangements:
  - Working from home or remotely
  - Doing work that requires limited contact with other
  - If an alternate working arrangement is not possible, employees can use paid sick time, if available. (see below for changes to Paid Sick Leave in AB).
  - The Government of Canada has removed wait times on Employment Insurance which can be used for self-isolation or care leaves.
- Limit or restrict visitors to the business operation (not customers)
- Consider restrictions on business and personal travel
- Businesses that are receiving foreign workers should monitor advisories from the government departments responsible for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers.html)
- Continue to follow recommendations provided around maintaining biosecurity and food safety standards.
- Businesses that provide housing for their workers will need to ensure their risk management plan considers large numbers of employees being quarantined or requiring health care.
- BC has a COVID-19 resource for employees in Spanish – https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/hlbc/files/documents/healthfeature/hf_040_coronavirus_covid-19-s.pdf

Employment rules changes

The Government of Alberta will be implementing paid, job-protected leave. Details of how these changes will take effect will be provided in the coming days.

Changes to the Employment Standards Code will allow employees to take 14 days of paid, job-protected leave if they are:

required to self-isolate
sick or caring for a loved one with COVID-19

To be eligible, employees:

will not be required to have a medical note
do not need to have worked for an employer for 90 days

This leave covers the self-isolation period recommended by Alberta’s chief medical officer. They recognize this could put pressure on employers and are working towards a solution to address these challenges.

Best Practices for Cleaning and Prevention

General Cleaning

Increase daily cleaning and disinfection of common areas and surfaces. Pay particular attention to door knobs, light switches, staff rooms, desktops, washrooms and other high touch surfaces.
Cleaning refers to the removal of visible dirt, grime and impurities. Cleaning does not kill germs but helps remove them from the surface.
Disinfecting refers to using chemical to kill germs on surfaces. This is most effective after surfaces are cleaned. Both steps are important to reduce the spread of infection.
Use a disinfectant that has a Drug Identification Number (DIN) and a virucidal claim. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label to disinfect effectively. Alternatively, you can prepare a bleach water solution with 100 ml of unscented household bleach per 900 ml of water.
Be sure to use / take the appropriate precautions when using chemicals for cleaning and disinfecting. Consult the product Safety Data Sheets.

Prevention

Wash your hands often and well (at least 20 seconds)
Avoid touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill
When sick, cover your cough and sneezes and then wash your hands (sneeze or cough into your elbow or a tissue)

Links to Health Resources

Up to date info from Alberta Government https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx
Alberta Health Services – COVID-19 Resources https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16997.aspx
Business continuity planning – https://www.ccohs.ca/publications/PDF/businesscontinuity.pdf
Health Canada Risk Prevention – https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks.html
Health Canada OHS Guidelines – https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus-occupational-health-safety.html
Health Canada Travel Guide – https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html
Trade Commissioner of Canada – Advice for businesses https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/campaign-campagne/ressources-entreprises-COVID-19-business-resources.aspx?lang=eng
World Health Organization Info – https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

Regional Resources

City of Edmonton – https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/emergency_preparedness/covid-19.aspx
City of Calgary – https://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/cema/Pages/Response-to-Coronavirus.aspx
City of Red Deer – https://reddeer.ca/whats-happening/covid-19/
City of Lethbridge – https://www.lethbridge.ca/NewsCentre/Pages/Coronavirus-COVID-19.aspx

The Green Industry Show & Conference is planned for November 19-20, 2020 in Edmonton. We are planning for the show to take place as scheduled, and hopeful the threat will have passed by then. However, we will continue to monitor the situation and take all prudent precautions to ensure a safe and successful show for exhibitors, presenters and guests.

We value your membership and greatly appreciate your support. We are all in this together.

Warm regards,

Landscape Alberta

UPDATES March 18, 2020

Economic Response Package from Canadian Government for COVID-19

March 18, 2020 – The Government of Canada has announced details on the $82 billion aid package for Canadians and Businesses. This includes the information below that details how and when assistance will be arriving. We encourage all employers to share the resources below with employees. Each company will have to best decide how to achieve a contingency plan with help from these aid programs. Combined support for both employers and employees offers the best option to maintain health concerns with being able to have a business to return to.

There is a potential as the pandemic progresses that all non-essential businesses will be forced to close. Please ensure you are taking that possibility in to consideration when planning for the next weeks and months.

Support for Businesses

Supporting Canadian Businesses Through the Canada Account Helping Businesses Keep Their Workers – Tax credits for small business to help keep cash flow positive.
Flexibility for Businesses Filing Taxes – Extension to file taxes to again keep cash working for you.
Ensuring Businesses have Access to Credit
Supporting Financial Market Liquidity

Support for Individuals

Income Support for Individuals Who Need it Most – Includes easier access to EI for people impacts, GST and Canada Child Benefit payments, and an Emergency Support fund for those unable to access EI (contract workers, business owners, etc)
Flexibility for Taxpayers
Mortgage Default Management Tools – Defer mortgage or auto payments for up to 6 months. Much needed flexibility in uncertain times.
Role of Financial Institutions

The full details on the Government of Canada Economic Response Package can be found at the link below. Please visit there directly for more details. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html

New Resource Links for Alberta
OHS: Respiratory viruses and the workplace
WCB: COVID-19 worker fact sheet
WCB: COVID-19 employer fact sheet

Updates March 19, 2020

Support for Albertans

Emergency Isolation Support – a one-time payment via online application that will help bridge the gap until Federal funds are available in early April.
Utility payment holiday – Defer payment on electricity and natural gas bills regardless of provider for up to 90 days.
Student Loan Repayment – The Alberta Student repayments will be paused for 6 months beginning March 30, 2020. No interest will accrue during this period.
ATB Financial customers – Will be able to defer loan, line of credit and mortgage payments by up to 6 months.

Full details here – https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-supports-for-albertans.aspx

COVID-19 supports for Albertans | Alberta.ca
The Alberta government will provide immediate financial relief to Alberta’s families and vulnerable populations. Albertans should be focused on their health and not worry about whether they can pay their bills so the government has put a number of options in place for those struggling financially … www.alberta.ca

Work Sharing
This Federal program allows for employees to remain working during times where there is a reduction in normal levels of business activity. Employees wages are supplemented by EI payments. This has been expanded to 76 weeks due to COVID-19 related issues. Please note this does not apply to seasonal staff and must be by mutual agreement between employer and employees.

Full details here – https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing.html

Q&A Document of ROEs and Payroll
The Canadian Payroll Association has made this resource available through ESDC. It is a great resource to ensure through this crisis you as the employer are ensuring prompt access to EI for your employees as well as providing several options for alternative pay structures supplemented by EI. Check it out HERE to ensure you are up to speed on the technical details around payroll and COVID-19.

PAYROLL-AND-COVID-19-PAYROLL-INFOLINE-QA-FINAL Download

COVID-19 Special Member Briefing