Message from the Chief Safety Officer

Updates to COVID-19 Safety Protocols: Changes to TTC’s masking requirements and federal border measures

Effective October 1, 2022, changes will be made to our masking requirements and isolation guidelines. These changes come after reviewing the COVID-19 activity in the community and updates to the federal government’s travel requirements.

The federal government has ended all COVID-19 border measures, including mandatory use of ArriveCAN and any testing and isolation requirements. This means employees will no longer be subjected to random COVID-19 testing and the mandatory 10-day isolation period if they test positive upon landing back in Canada.

All employees must continue to play a role in safety by self-screening for respiratory virus symptoms before coming to work. Please refer to the Provincial screening tool (https://www.ontario.ca/self-assessment/). If you must isolate at home, please inform your Supervisor.

All employees and contractors will still be required to wear masks in the following situations or areas:

1. Employees returning to work following respiratory virus symptom(s) or having tested positive with COVID-19. Masks must be worn for 10 days following onset of symptoms or positive test date.

2. Employees identified as having unprotected close contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19. Masks must be worn for 10 days following last day of exposure.

3. Wheel-Trans Operators when customers are onboard their vehicles and/or when in close interaction with customers.

Though it is not mandatory, in all other situations and areas where physical distancing of two metres (or six feet) cannot be maintained, it is recommended that employees wear a well-fitted mask (ASTM level 2 or higher) that covers their nose, mouth and chin.

Employees who have respiratory virus symptoms can return to work if they have no fever and their symptoms are improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours for gastrointestinal symptoms). However, they will be required to be masked for 10 days from the onset of symptoms or a positive test, if asymptomatic.

Your safety in the workplace is of utmost importance to us. We expect that COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses will continue to circulate over the cold months, so I encourage everyone to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination and continue to follow all COVID-19 safety protocols in the workplace.

We have come a long way together – let’s make sure we continue to do all we can to protect each other.

Betty Hasserjian
Chief Safety Officer (acting)
September 30, 2022

Safety measures to prevent the spread of respiratory virus infections

Please continue to follow these safety protocols:

• Continue to do your own screening for symptoms and stay home if you are feeling sick, even with mild respiratory virus symptoms.

• Continue to report COVID-19 symptoms to your manager or supervisor and follow the isolation requirements.

• All employees are encouraged to get their booster COVID-19 shot, even if they have recovered from COVID-19.

• Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands or use alcohol-based sanitizer often. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.

• Physically distance where feasible.

• Clean and disinfect shared workstations and high touch point surfaces of amenities before and after use. Please ask your manager or supervisor for wipes of disinfectants should you need them.