COVID-19: Peterborough Nonessential Employees to Switch to Remote Work; new measures for food premises – Peterborough | The Canadian News

Peterborough workplaces and food facilities will face new COVID-19 measures starting Wednesday following letters of instruction issued Monday night by Peterborough Public Health.

To prepare for the potential impact of the Omicron variant, Medical Health Officer Dr. Thomas Piggott issued two business letters with protocols designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in “high-risk settings.” All measures will take effect on Wednesday, December 15.

As of Monday morning there were 54 active cases in the jurisdiction of the health unit, but no cases of the Omicron variant were reported.

“Stronger measures are now needed in high-risk settings to prevent an increase in COVID-19 cases as other jurisdictions are experiencing,” Piggott said. “These measures focus on keeping local businesses open while ensuring they can operate safely and protect staff and customers.”

Workplaces are instructed to transfer all non-essential employees to remote work arrangements, except when on-site presence is required.

Essential personnel must adhere to existing protocols, such as covering their faces and physically distancing themselves. Social gatherings are prohibited and can only take place in designated event facilities where public health measures can be enforced. Recommendations include staggering lunch times to avoid crowded areas.

The full letter of instructions for workplaces can be found in the health unit website.

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The health unit says food premises are expected to comply with the following instructions:

• The maximum number of customers seated at each table does not exceed 10 people.
• Make sure customers seated at separate tables are separated by at least two meters, or separated by a waterproof barrier.
• Customers can only consume food and / or drinks only while seated.
• Modify buffet-style meal service to allow only one table at the buffet at a time, and make sure customers wear masks at all times when accessing the buffet.
• Make sure all serving personnel (including waiters and waiters) are provided and wear proper personal protective equipment when around customers.
• Advise clients to wear tight-fitting face masks when they are not actively eating or drinking. This includes when they move around the premises or while socializing at your table.

Full details of food venues can be found in the health unit website.

Piggott says that as cases of Delta and Omicron variants increase in Ontario, precautionary measures are needed until a greater proportion of the population has received a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Piggott also acknowledged that currently vaccinated people can also transmit the infection. As a result, he says that “multiple strategies” are important to reduce the spread of the virus.

“We know that transmission occurs in mixed groups of older and younger, vaccinated and unvaccinated, and that is why these protection instructions are required in the Peterborough area,” he said.

However, he says provincial data reveals that “this is an unvaccinated pandemic,” highlighting case data from Ontario as of Dec. 6:

Vaccinated:

• 8.8 cases per 1,000,000 people in the hospital with COVID-19
• 3.3 cases per 1,000,000 people in the ICU with COVID-19

Not vaccinated:

• 164.9 cases per 1,000,000 people in the hospital with COVID-19
• 94.6 cases per 1,000,000 people in ICU with COVID-19

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