COVID-19 : Updates to Workplace Preventive Practices

Sent on February 15, 2023

Dear colleagues,

Following is an update on Parks Canada’s approach to prevention practices in the workplace.

Parks Canada’s (PC) decisions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been based on the guidance provided by public health authorities, Health Canada’s Public Service Occupational Health Program (PSOHP), and the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS).

As mandatory public health measures have eased across Canada and are currently at minimum with recommended best practices, the overall risk of serious consequences resulting from COVID-19 transmission has diminished significantly. Due to the nature of our work settings and activities, the risk of contracting COVID-19 in the workplace is not significantly higher than the risk to the public at large.

On February 10, 2023, the Public Service Occupational Health Program (PSOHP) updated its guidance related to preventive practices. Previously, Parks Canada required that masks be worn in indoor spaces when physical distancing was difficult to maintain. Effective immediately, this practice will no longer be a requirement to Parks Canada staff in general; however, masks will continue to be available to staff as necessary. As each person's comfort level may be different, I encourage you to be open and respectful to your colleagues during this time of change.

Although PSOHP and TBS guidance is not prescriptive in nature, Parks Canada will continue to assess the level of risk for workplaces/activities that are at higher risk of COVID-19 transmission (e.g. first responders) and tailor its infectious disease preventive practices by taking into account specific work settings and activities.

In response to this new guidance, Parks Canada will be updating its Infectious Disease Protocol and related tools, in consultation with the National OHS Policy Committee, which will continue to include a multi-layered approach to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases in the workplace. The combination of preventive practices remains more effective than individual measures alone. They may vary according to different settings and circumstances.

Common to all infectious diseases is a range of baseline health and safety measures that will continue to be maintained:

• Stay home when you are sick (i.e. have flu-like symptoms or have tested positive – with or without symptoms in the past 5 days; are in quarantine or isolation)
• Practice physical distancing when possible
• Wash/disinfect your hands regularly and practice respiratory etiquette
• Keep your immunizations up to date
• Wear a mask if you prefer (masks will continue to be available to staff on site)
• Clean your workspace upon arrival and again before leaving
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment based on task/activity and in accordance with applicable safe work practices (SWP).

This approach will ensure that preventive measures continue to be implemented and promoted, and that best practices are maintained. In periods of elevated risk of infectious diseases (COVID-19, Influenza, common cold, etc.), public health authorities will provide information and guidance that would continue to be followed and implemented as applicable. Additional measures may be considered, as necessary, depending on the type of disease and its seasonal window of occurrence.

In addition to the above, all reporting requirements related to COVID-19 (positive cases, office closures and work refusals) have now ceased.

Parks Canada will continue to monitor and adapt its guidance, and work closely with the National OHS Policy Committee and local OHS committees (or representatives).

I recognize that these changes may be of concern to some employees. As such, I encourage you to discuss any questions you may have with your manager/supervisor. Also, please remember that there is support through the Employee and Family Assistance Program available at 1-800-268-7708, or 1-800-567-5803 (TTY - for people with hearing impairments) if you are having difficulties or need to talk to someone.

Kind regards,

Ron Hallman
President & CEO

#StrongerTogether #ParksCanadaProud

Reminder to managers: In keeping with Parks Canada's procedures for communications with employees, managers are responsible for ensuring all team members under their responsibility receive the information intended for them. It is important that you find a means to transmit this message and, if any, the attachment(s) to employees without access to Parks Canada e-mail or the intranet, e.g. by posting it, circulating a paper copy or by any other appropriate means.