Communicable Disease Prevention Plans
Samantha Hackett
Thanks to rising vaccination rates and falling COVID-19 case counts, the province of B.C. has moved forward with reopening. In Step 3 of B.C.’s Restart Plan, which began on July 1st, employers are no longer required to maintain a COVID-19 Safety Plan, and can transition to communicable disease prevention plan. A communicable disease prevention plan is meant to reduce the risk of workplace transmission of COVID-19, as well as other communicable diseases, such as seasonal influenza.
Moving from a COVID-19 Safety Plan to communicable disease plans means:
Employers do not post plans for communicable disease prevention or have them approved by WorkSafeBC.
The COVID-19 specific controls of the COVID-19 Safety Plan will no longer be required outside of instances of elevated risk.
Employers must ensure that fundamental measures of communicable disease prevention are still in place at their workplace, including appropriate handwashing and personal hygiene practices, appropriate ventilation, and staying home when sick.
Beginning in Step 3, protocols such as physical distancing, barriers, directional arrows, and mask-wearing are no longer required. However, during the transition period, the provincial health officer has issued a statement recommending that employers maintain some of their current protocols, specifically those that do not negatively impact business operations. Many local businesses are choosing to keep some measures, including recommending masks as per the provincial recommendation.
Employers must also be prepared to implement or maintain additional measures if the risk of communicable disease in their region or workplace becomes elevated, as advised and directed by public health.
You can view more information about creating a communicable disease prevention plan, including a template to help you get started here.
While businesses do not have to maintain a COVID-19 Safety Plan, there are still sector-specific regulations in place during Stage 3 of B.C.’s Restart Plan:
Food & Liquor Serving Premises
Overnight Camps for Children or Youth
Providers of Accommodation for Workers in Forestry, Aquaculture or Resource Sectors