MEMO: Pandemic Measures Update

To: All Staff 

From: Thelma Morris, Executive Director 

Re: TIKINAGAN PANDEMIC MEASURES – UPDATE 

Below is an update on our current pandemic measures as well as plans for into the fall. 

Previously we relaxed measures as follows: 

– Managers are allowed to start to assign staff in small numbers for in-office work starting August 16. Managers will be responsible to ensure those assigned for in-office work in open work areas are kept to a minimum or that assigned staff have their own office. In-office work should be kept to a minimum. 

– Effective July 28, we eliminated some measures connected to travel outside of Northwestern Ontario. If staff or a member of their household has travelled within Canada outside of this region, we will NO LONGER restrict them from attending a Tikinagan office or having in-person contact with clients or staff. 

Tikinagan will be keeping all other pandemic measures in place until at least the end of September 2021 including: 

– When not scheduled for in-office work, staff will work remotely and must be available during work hours. 

– Staff are reminded to follow the measures in our Return to Workplace protocol for any in-office work, including completing the Daily Health Screening before entering our offices (do not go to the office if you answer Yes to any of the screening questions), not coming to the office if you or someone in your household is ill, using hand-sanitizer upon entry and exit, wearing a mask and faceshield or protective eyewear, and washing your hands frequently. 

– Also please note that our enhanced measures requires staff attending Tikinagan offices or attending to work-related duties to use 3 or 4 ply disposable masks not reusable cloth ones and that you must wear a face shield and a disposable mask OR goggles and a disposable mask whenever you leave your desk or office. Furthermore, if you share an office or work in an open space with others, you must wear a disposable mask at all times

– If staff or someone living or staying with them travel outside of Canada we require that staff NOT attend Tikinagan offices, drive Tikinagan vehicles or have in-person contact with staff or clients for 14 days after their return or the arrival of anyone staying with them who travelled outside of Canada. 

– Staff are reminded to consult and follow the Service Contingency Plan to deliver services. In-person contact with clients should only occur when absolutely necessary

– Premium Pay continues to be in place. 

– And a reminder that if staff are tested for COVID-19, they are required to promptly notify their supervisor, PPE Chair Arlene McClendon, PPE Member Amanda Friesen & HR Manager Sarah Morin. 

– Tikinagan staff are also required to follow any local pandemic measures put in place. 

We are also developing policies and procedures to require all staff to be fully vaccinated especially if they have in-person contact with clients and/or need to travel into our First Nation communities. This is becoming a requirement for many employers in Ontario to protect the public who they come into contact with but also to make the workplace safer for all staff. Information on this will be distributed soon. 

Please continue to take care and follow all local, regional, provincial and federal public health safety measures. Stay safe and stay healthy!