WorkSafeBC provides clarity, guidelines for reopening industries
Posted May 15, 2020 4:29 pm.
Last Updated May 15, 2020 4:35 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — After some confusion and worry from several industries returning to work soon, WorkSafeBC is out with specific guidelines to reopen safely.
Phase 2 of B.C.’s restart plan is set to begin next week and will see places like restaurants, salons, and even museums opening doors again.
Many have been looking for this – @WorkSafeBC guidelines for businesses able to open next week. Reminding restaurants, pubs, salons need to wait for PHO orders to be changed/lifted
https://t.co/nVQeEoLAnI#bcpoli #covid19 @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/HGsOGCKdhZ— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) May 15, 2020
Minister of Labour Harry Bains says the guidelines are an important step of the process to ensure the safety of businesses and customers.
“We all have a shared responsibility to build confidence amongst workers and customers, so everyone feels safe accessing businesses and services,” Bains says in a release. “We know that businesses will open at their own pace, and I encourage them to proceed in a careful way ensuring safety measures are in place, effective and understood.”
All businesses included in the updated list will need to follow the provided guidelines and develop a safety plan.
This includes:
- restaurants, cafes and pubs;
- salons and personal services;
- museums, art galleries and libraries, real estate;
- education;
- health services;
- retail;
- in-person counselling;
- parks and outdoor spaces;
- office space
Friday the province also announced a partial reopening of schools, which the health minister and provincial health officer say will come with some changes.
“Our schools and daycares will look and feel different, but they will operate in the safest way possible for everyone – for staff, students and families,” says a joint release from Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry.
For a full list of specific guidelines for each industry, click here.
WorkSafeBC will be providing extra details for child care, health services, as well as recreation and sports in the next few days.
