Heavy construction and Manitoba’s new travel/quarantine rules
We at MHCA™ WORKSAFELY™ have been receiving questions about the new public health order requiring anyone entering/re-entering Manitoba to quarantine for 14 days.
The order comes into effect January 29th, and now extends the quarantine requirement to anyone coming from Western Canada, the northern territories and places west of Terrace Bay – locations that previously were not caught by the travel/quarantine order.
As it relates to our industry’s work, the exemptions to self-isolation measures are still in effect: those travelling for essential interprovincial work do not have to quarantine upon entering Manitoba.
The order states: “individuals engaged in the construction or maintenance of any building, structure or other project, are also exempt if the failure to complete the construction or maintenance on a timely basis would pose a threat to persons, property or the environment if they are not displaying any symptoms of COVID-19.”
We want to emphasize that it is the responsibility of employers to ensure employees are physically distancing themselves and follow all general public health measures (e.g., hand hygiene, cough etiquette, etc.). Where able, workers should avoid settings where physical distancing is not possible. Workers should self-monitor for symptoms and immediately self-isolate and notify their employer should they develop symptoms.
For more information on who is exempted, visit the Manitoba public health orders website here.
