Hamilton public health has given itself the power to temporarily shutter local workplaces experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks.
This comes as a result of public health issuing a Health Promotion and Protection Act Section 22 Class Order; a move to help mitigate further spread of the virus amid the threats of the pandemic’s third wave and the rise of COVID-19 variants of concern.
City of Hamilton Public Health Services issues Health Promotion and Protection Act Section 22 Class Order to identify and manage COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces.
Release>>https://t.co/kK9wPYZDjG #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/nuztcybeIx
— City of Hamilton (@cityofhamilton) May 3, 2021
Going forward under this order, public health will receive outbreak information from workplaces more quickly, allowing them to take action via full or partial closure of impacted workplace, among other measures.
The order requires to notify public health if two or more cases of COVID-19 are identified in the workplace within a 14-day period by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 905-974-9848, option 6.
Additionally, employers must notify public health if the outbreak features five or more COVID-19 cases within a 14-day period among those who attend the workplace.
If five or more cases are confirmed where infection could have been reasonably acquired within the workplace, Hamilton public health will be enabled to close up all or part of those workplaces for a minimum period of 10 days with workers expected to isolate.
Some local workplaces are exempt from full closure including first responder services such as fire, paramedics, and police; shelters; and critical infrastructure including water treatment facilities and telecommunications, government services, transportation, and animal health services.
Hamilton currently has 36 total active COVID-19 outbreaks, 16 of which are within workplaces and businesses.
Read the full release on the city website.
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