Published December 21st, 2020
Business Reopening Guidelines for Canadian Businesses
Safety is now the #1 priority for every Canadian business. The rigorous safety protocols traditionally associated with high-risk industries such as mining and construction are now relevant to every industry in Canada. Restrictions or policies are being modified according to the number of cases per province, so Canada-based companies should first prioritize the safety of their employees and customers. Only when new COVID-19 specific processes and procedures are in place can reopening efforts really scale.
The iAuditor by SafetyCulture platform helps Canadian businesses update and distribute their best practices rapidly, with real-time visibility into effectiveness across their sites. To make it easier for you and your people to safely get back to business, we’ve curated expert guidance and checklist templates from the Government of Canada, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), and more below:
Disclaimer: Please note that these checklists are hypothetical examples and provide basic information only. They are not intended to take the place of medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should also seek professional advice to determine if the use of such checklists are permissible in your workplace or jurisdiction.
Guidance & Checklist Templates for Business Reopening in Canada
All Industries
Guidance
The Government of Canada actively provides information relating to support for workers, considerations for businesses navigating COVID-19 disruptions, and even risk-informed decision-making guidelines for workplaces during the pandemic.
Canada’s Coronavirus Outbreak Hub is regularly updated as the current situation constantly evolves, and Canada’s Economic Response Plan includes subsidies for avoiding layoffs and rehiring employees, access to credit for sustaining businesses, and more.
Checklists
To help Canadian employers and employees prepare for returning to work during and after the COVID-19 era, use the following checklist templates you can download for free and use with iAuditor by SafetyCulture:
- CCOHS Canadian Business Reopening Checklist
- Canadian Business Pandemic Continuity Planning Checklist
Retail
Guidance
While the Government of Canada’s advice for essential retailers during the COVID-19 pandemic is under review, the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) released a retail recovery playbook to assist Canadian retailers in their reopening planning. RCC’s recovery planning resources include guidelines for customer health and safety, employee well-being, retail operations, marketing and merchandising, store network and channel, and finances.
Checklists
To help Canadian retailers effectively resume operations amidst a global pandemic, here are RCC-based checklist templates you can download for free and use with iAuditor by SafetyCulture:
- Canadian Retail Operation COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Checklist
- Canadian Retailer COVID-19 Return-to-Work Template
- Canadian Retailer Social Distancing and Sanitation Checklist
- Canadian Retail Store COVID-19 Cleaning Checklist
- Canadian Retail Store Washrooms Cleaning and Disinfecting Checklist
- Canadian Retail Store Signage COVID-19 Protocol Checklist
Hospitality & Food Services
Guidance
The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) developed COVID-related materials in consultation with stakeholders and credible resources. HAC’s information for hoteliers covers hotel operating procedures for hotel guests in self-isolation, temporary guidelines for modified operations, and provincial hotel association resources.
Meanwhile, Restaurants Canada also released its recently updated federal and provincial response plans for navigating COVID-19. The 90-page document encompasses the status of closures and alcohol permissions, support for workers and business, and more across Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
Checklists
To help facilitate effective hotel and restaurant reopening in Canada, use the following checklists with best practices from industry leaders and Canadian authorities:
- CCOHS Food Services COVID-19 Prevention Checklist
- Canadian Restaurants Reopening Checklist
- Canadian Hoteliers COVID-19 Response Checklist
Manufacturing & Food Processing
Guidance
The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) prepared a guide to promote continuity planning best practices for Canadian businesses. CME’s pandemic guide offers a comprehensive backbone for manufacturing facilities in Canada to develop, implement, and monitor their business continuity plan, specifically providing guidelines for health and safe operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Checklists
To help Canadian manufacturers, suppliers, and vendors safely continue production procedures during the COVID-19 outbreak, use the following industry-guided checklists you can download for free and use with iAuditor by SafetyCulture:
- CCOHS Food Processing COVID-19 Prevention Checklist
- Canadian Manufacturing Facility COVID-19 Disinfecting Checklist
- Canadian Manufacturers Physical Distancing Checklist
Transport & Logistics
Guidance
The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) compiled several COVID-19 resources containing transportation and trucking guidance for freight flows, staffing, border crossing times, ports and airlines status globally, and more. CSCMP’s new whitepapers called Post COVID-19 Crisis Supply Chain and Best Practices for Warehouse Management in Pandemic Times can help logistics companies plan, take action, and reopen strong.
Checklists
To help Canadian supply chain operators, logistics companies, and freight forwarders protect their workers, and prevent the spread of infections, use the following checklists based on tips from the RCC and CCOHS:
- Storage Facility and Distribution Centre COVID-19 Protocol Checklist
- CCOHS Transportation COVID-19 Prevention Checklist
- CCOHS Home Delivery & Couriers COVID-19 Prevention Checklist
- CCOHS Airline & Ground Crews COVID-19 Prevention Checklist
Construction & Mining
Guidance
The CCOHS published new pandemic tip sheets for free, including guidance for higher-risk and essential occupations and industries such as construction, mining, and more. Those involved in the construction industry are essentially encouraged to continue following all safe work procedures, practice physical distancing, and stay home if you are sick or might be sick.
Checklists
To help Canadian construction contractors, managers, and workers operate during a pandemic, use the following industry-guided checklists you can download for free and use with iAuditor by SafetyCulture:
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