DRFN’s COVID-19 RESPONSE
Self-Assessment
Complete the following questions:
1. Are you are feeling unwell with any of the following symptoms?
- Fever, new cough or difficulty breathing (or a combination of these symptoms)
- Muscle aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat, runny nose or diarrhea. Symptoms in young children may also be non-specific (e.g., lethargy, poor feeding)
2. And have you experienced any of the following?
- Traveled outside of Canada in the last 14 days?
- Been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 (e.g., someone in your household or workplace)?
- Been in close contact with a person who is sick with respiratory symptoms (e.g., fever, cough or difficulty breathing) who recently travelled outside of Canada?
If you answered YES to BOTH of these questions, you should seek assessment for COVID-19 from a medical professional
Additionally, if you answered YES to BOTH the above questions, you must:
- Return home immediately and self isolate
- If you have any of the symptoms or have come in contact with someone who has COVID-19 or traveled outside of Canada, call the Northern Health COVID-19 hotline at 1-844-645-7811 and follow the guidance they provide
If you answered NO to BOTH of these questions, it is unlikely that you have COVID-19.
• There is no self isolation requirement for persons who answer NO to BOTH questions.
Employers
- If a person has respiratory symptoms as above (question 1) but has not traveled, they should be instructed to stay at home until better or for 10 days.
- Advise the person if they start to experience worsening symptoms, to visit their local emergency department. Advise them to call before they go and let them know you have used this self-assessment tool.
- Advise the person to continue to monitor their health and to complete the self-assessment prior to attending the workplace each day.
DRFN COVID Work Policy
Policy Brief & Purpose
This company policy includes the measures we are actively taking to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. You are kindly requested to follow all these rules diligently, to sustain a healthy and safe workplace in this unique environment. It’s important that we all respond responsibly and transparently to these health precautions. We assure you that we will always treat your private health and personal data with high confidentiality and sensitivity.
Scope
This coronavirus policy applies to all of our employees who physically work in our office(s). We strongly recommend that our remote working personnel follow this action plan as well, to ensure we collectively and uniformly respond to this challenge.
Policy Elements
Following are the required actions employees should take to protect themselves and their co-workers from a potential coronavirus infection:
Sick Leave Arrangements
If you have cold symptoms, such as cough/sneezing/fever, or feel poorly, request sick leave or work from home. If you have a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, you can return to the office only after you’ve fully recovered, with a doctor’s note confirming your recovery.
Work from Home Requests
If you are feeling ill, but you are able to work, you can request to work from home. If you have recently returned from areas with a high number of COVID-19 cases (based on CDC announcements), we’ll ask you to work from home for 14 calendar days, and return to the office only if you are fully asymptomatic. You will also be asked not to come into physical contact with any colleagues during this time.
If you’ve been in close contact with someone infected by COVID-19, with high chances of being infected yourself, request to work from home. You will also be asked not to come into physical contact with any colleagues during this time.
If you’re a parent and have to stay at home with your children, request to work from home. Follow up with your manager or departmental leader to make arrangements and set expectations.
If you need to provide care to a family member infected by COVID-19, request to work from home. You’ll only be permitted to return to the office 14 calendar days after your family member has fully recovered, provided that you’re asymptomatic or you have a doctor’s note confirming you don’t have the virus. You will also be asked not to come into physical contact with any colleagues during this time.
Traveling/Commuting Measures
- All work trips and events, both domestic and international, will be cancelled/postponed until further notice.
- In-person meetings should be done virtually where possible, especially with non-company parties (e.g., candidate interviews and partners).
- If you normally commute to the office by public transportation and do not have other alternatives, you can request to work from home as a precaution.
- If you are planning to travel voluntarily to a high-risk country with increased COVID-19 cases, we’ll ask you to work from home for 14 calendar days upon your return. You will also be asked not to come into physical contact with any colleagues during this time.
General Hygiene Rules
- Wash your hands after using the toilet, before eating, and if you cough/sneeze into your hands. Follow the 20-second hand-washing rule. You can also use the sanitizers provided throughout the office.
- Cough/sneeze into your sleeve, preferably into your elbow. If you use a tissue, discard it properly and clean/sanitize your hands immediately.·Open the windows regularly to ensure ventilation.
- Avoid touching your face, particularly eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands to prevent infection.
- If you find yourself coughing/sneezing on a regular basis, avoid close physical contact with your coworkers and take extra precautionary measures such as requesting sick leave.
