Government also announces increase in minimum wage … in 2024
Nova Scotia has announced that it will begin easing its restrictions starting on Monday, as part of the province's phased approach while it sees COVID-19 figures headed in the "right direction”.
According to the government guidelines, each step in the three-phased scheme is based on the ongoing epidemiology, hospitalizations, employee absences and COVID-19 activity in long-term care facilities.
"If required, a phase may be paused to respond to trends at county or provincial levels. Additional plan details will be released as each phase starts," it read.
The first phase of the programme will take effect on February 14. The province has yet to announce the exact implementation dates for the second and third phases, but it said they may be enforced by about a month after the previous phase.
What employers need to know
For the first phase of reopening, "events start again, gathering limits are increased, and border restrictions are lifted for domestic travellers," according to the government's guidelines.
It added that workplaces, including offices and warehouses, may start a phased approach on bringing back their employees on-site. Mask-wearing is still required in all common areas, in places where there is public interaction, areas with poor ventilation, and areas where a two-metre physical distance cannot be observed.
For the second phase of reopening, more gathering limits are increased, while businesses and services continue to ease restrictions. Same rules apply in terms of return-to-work schemes for indoor workplaces and mask-wearing mandates, according to the government's guidelines.
For the third phase, the government said it will lift gathering limits and social distancing requirements in the province. This covers indoor workplaces, where there will no longer be capacity limits or social distancing implemented. Wearing a mask, however, may still be required by employers.
Minimum wage hike
Meanwhile, as reported by HRD yesterday, Nova Scotia's labour minister says the province's minimum wage will rise to $15 an hour on April 1, 2024.
Jill Balser says the timeline has been accepted because it balances concerns from ``all perspectives,'' including employees and businesses.
The government announced last month that it was accepting the committee's first recommended 40-cent wage increase to reach $13.35 an hour this spring and would take more time to consider its other increase recommendations.
The committee also recommended the minimum wage rise to $13.60 in October and then to $15 an hour by April 2024.
According to The Canadian Press, the increases will benefit the more than 31,000 Nova Scotians who work for minimum wage.
Read more: An employer's guide to Ontario's reopening plan
Work-isolation
According to the government's guidelines, indoor workplaces would still need to comply to the Health Protection Act Order and their sector-specific plans during the first two phases of the reopening scheme.
Aside from the guidelines on mask-wearing, employers will also need to make sure that they are compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety COVID-19 Guidelines: Work-isolation, public health measures, and guidance for workplace safety.
The Occupational Health and Safety COVID-19 Guidelines: Work-isolation provides guidance on the updated measures that allow close contacts to safely return to work.
It states that close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases may be allowed to continue working outside their home as long as they are fully vaccinated and does not exhibit symptoms. If they are a household contact, they should be able to fully isolate themselves from the individual at home who tested positive for COVID-19.
Employers are also urged to come up with a Work Isolation Plan that details the specific control measures that will minimise contact between the close contact employee and the rest of the team.
"Employers are encouraged to develop a plan to allow employees who are close contacts of confirmed cases of COVID-19 to work safely," the government guidelines said.
Read more: Province to start lifting COVID-19 restrictions
Guidance to workplace safety
Employers should also keep in mind the guidance for workplace safety even if the province is already on the first and second phases of the reopening scheme.
This includes cleaning and disinfecting workplaces at least twice a day or as required, wearing face masks, implementing a workplace screening with rapid antigen test, and keeping customers safe by requiring proof of vaccination in times of events and gatherings.
"Employers need to make sure that employees are aware of safety rules and resources. Employers should encourage workers and volunteers to remain up to date with developments related to COVID-19 and make sure employees and volunteers know to stay home if they're feeling sick," the government said.
Nova Scotia's reopening plan will take effect on Monday while COVID-related figures are headed in the "right direction."
"While we still need to be cautious, things are moving in the right direction and we can start to slowly ease restrictions," said Premier Tim Houston in a statement.
"We ask Nova Scotians to continue following the public health measures as we work through these phases together and move toward a state of living with COVID-19."
