The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) urges caution when applying the new provincial guidance that allows employees to continue working after testing positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic. It is vital the health and wellbeing of employees continue to be put first.
While the new guidelines offer some flexibility to local Medical Officers of Health when positive asymptomatic cases develop within a workforce, the final decision of choosing to work rests with the individual employee, not the employer.
Employees who are either positive or close contacts of positive cases will only be allowed to work after the local heath officials have approved a plan that strictly protects not only the infected employee(s), but anyone that may come in contact with them.
“The first priority in greenhouses where positive COVID-19 cases are found is the health of all workers,” says Joe Sbrocchi, OGVG General Manager. “Growers are working closely with health officials to determine if, and how, asymptomatic positive employees and close contacts of positive cases can be offered the opportunity to continue work if they so choose.”
Growers respect the rights and wishes of their employees. If asymptomatic positive employees are not comfortable working and choose to self-isolate, that decision will be respected. Growers will not undertake any activities that risk the health of any employees.
