B.C’s top doctor encouraging employers to let staff work from home, but not ready to issue order

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – B.C’s top doctor, Dr. Bonnie Henry, is again reminding employers to do everything they can to keep the coronavirus from spreading in a workplace.

“That protects your business, your employees as well as your family and your community,” she says. “And my expectation is that all companies will look at that and ensure they are doing everything they can to protect their employees, businesses and community.”

Despite the spike in cases across the province, many employer are still asking workers to come in, leaving some concerned over the risk of infection.

Henry says at this point she’s not ready to issue any stronger orders, but new physical distancing rules need to be followed, especially in tight spaces.

“I’m not ready to issue an order at this point,” she says. “My expectation is that every employer looks at how they can reduce the interactions of their employees in the community and in their workplace settings.”

Henry adds physical distancing requirements apply to all workplaces where crowding may be an issue, but admits each workplace is different.

“If I run a graphic design business and I have 20 employees in a small enclosed space I need to find ways to maintain an appropriate space from each other,” she says. “And that means rethinking who is in the office, and how others can work from home at different times.”