Covid-19 Safety Plan

Covid-19 Safety Plan

Updated November 30, 2020

General Purpose

The following safety plan and protocols are based on guidance published by the Public Health Authority, Work Safe BC, BC Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.

Centra Lawyers LLP is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all clients, visitors and members of the firm. We will continue to monitor the current COVID-19 virus situation as information becomes available.

What is Covid-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic in Canada is part of the ongoing worldwide pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses including the flu and common cold.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Body Aches
  • Cough or worsening of chronic cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Loss of sense of smell or taste
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Muscle aches

While less common, symptoms can also include:

  • Stuffy nose
  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
  • Dizziness, confusion
  • Abdominal pain
  • Skin rashes or discoloration of fingers or toes.

Safety Measures

  • Masks are required for all visitors: On November 24, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General issued an order requiring everyone to wear masks in all indoor settings.


There are exemptions for:

  • People with health conditions or with physical, cognitive or mental impairments who cannot wear one
  • People who cannot remove a mask on their own
  • Children under the age of 12
  • Daily health checklist and temperature monitoring for all members of the firm;
  • Entry checklist for all clients and visitors of the firm;


Members of the firm are required to wear masks in all common areas;

  • Physical Distancing;
  • Increased daily disinfections of all frequently touched spaces;
  • Disinfections and cleaning of all boardrooms between clients;
  • Hand sanitizers are available throughout the firm, including individual offices and all workstations;
  • Masks available for firm members, clients and visitor;
  • Gloves available for firm members, clients and visitors;
  • Cleaners and disinfecting wipes (if available);
  • Increased physical distancing signage;
  • Installation of barriers at reception;
  • Limiting in person client visitors as possible;
  • Limiting unnecessary attendees at client meetings; and
  • Reporting and communicating with all members of the firm on any changes and risk factors.

Response to suspected or confirmed COVID-19

  • All firm members will be tested immediately, self-isolation will be required until negative results have been received prior to returning to the office;
  • Office cleaning and disinfecting will be completed;
    • will follow Health Canada protocols, hospital prescribed protocols, and assist the case investigator with his/her contract tracing efforts; and
    • Positive case: Self- isolation for 14 days or as prescribed by health officials will be required.

CLOSE CONTACT

Definition: a close contact is defined as any individual within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more) of laboratory-confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients

Mental Health

It is important to remember that mental health is just as important as physical health, and to take measures to support well-being.

The following are resources from Work Safe BC:

https://www.psychologists.bc.ca/covid-19-resources (British Columbia Psychological Association) – Free virtual counselling provided by registered psychologists.

https://cmha.bc.ca/covid-19/  (Canadian Mental Health Association – B.C.) – Tips and information on how to reduce and manage anxiety in the workplace due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health-safety/covid19_stressmanagement_5_accessible.pdf

(Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions) – Tips and resources on things we can do as individuals and collectively to deal with stress and support one another during these challenging times.

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf (World Health Organization) – These mental health considerations were developed by the WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Use as messages targeting different groups to support for mental and psychosocial well-being during COVID-19 outbreak.

https://www.conferenceboard.ca/insights/covid-19?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 (Conference Board of Canada) – Videos on different aspects of mental health, including coping with anxiety, job loss, and dealing with isolation.

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/mental-health.html (Public Health Agency of Canada) – Tips and resources for taking care of your mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Please continue to be vigilant with your actions that help decrease chances of transmission within Centra Lawyers LLP.

A further detailed copy of Centra Lawyers LLP’s Covid-19 Safety Plan is available at our office.

References:

http://www.bccdc.ca/our-services

https://www.worksafebc.com/en

http://www.phsa.ca/

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/home

https://www.who.int/#

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