Workplaces in Mississauga and Brampton no longer face automatic closure for COVID outbreaks
Published June 4, 2021 at 2:41 pm
Peel Public Health will stop issuing automatic workplace closures in Mississauga and Brampton once the province hits the first phase of its re-opening plan on June 14.
Up to now, workplaces that reported five or more cases of COVID-19 over a 14-day period were automatically shut down as the health department tried to control the spread of the virus. The health department can still order workplaces to close if it believes outbreaks are serious, however they will no longer make that information publically available.
Peel Public Health offered no specific reason for the change in policy.
The closure order was initially put in place on April 20 following a wave of workplace outbreaks throughout the beginning of 2021 and as COVID numbers started to rise throughout Peel Region. Approximately 550 workplaces in Peel have experienced virus outbreaks since March 1.
Since that April date, more than 20 businesses have been closed or partially closed. Currently there are five workplaces under partial closure, three of which are Amazon fulfillment centres.
However, the health department is beefing up some workplace measures and is now ordering the addition of eye protection as part of personal protective equipment requirements where physical distancing cannot be maintained at all times.
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As well, the health department will be providing more direction during workplace investigations regarding isolation and testing requirements of workers showing symptoms of COVID-19.
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