Some Canadian companies demand travelling employees self-quarantine amid COVID-19

 

TORONTO -- Employers in Canada are asking employees to self-quarantine after travelling to places hit hard by a novel form of coronavirus.

Manulife Financial Corp. says it is requiring employees who have visited China, South Korea, Iran and Italy to observe a 14-day self-quarantine after they or anyone in their home has travelled to any of those countries.

The Toronto-based insurance company has also suspended all but essential travel to and from mainland China. For personal trips, it is encouraging employees to consider advice provided by health authorities.

Home Depot of Canada Inc. says it has put all employee travel to and from Asia and Italy on hold until further notice.

The retailer’s employees who have returned from Asia and Italy within the last two weeks are being told to stay home for 14 days before returning to work.

Canada has at least 29 cases of the virus known as COVID-19, but it has infected and killed significantly more in China, Iran, Italy and South Korea.