Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces

 Cleaning and disinfecting your environment

• Environmental cleaning is the cleaning of frequently used surfaces in the common and shared areas in workplaces. Effective cleaning reduces the risk of spreading infection through touching contaminated surfaces.
• Increase the frequency of cleaning to at least twice a day, especially high touch surfaces such as:
  • desks
  • phones
  • break room counters, tables and chairs, and appliances
  • cash registers
  • common area door handles and railings
  • elevator buttons
  • common area furniture
  • toilets
  • light switches
• High touch zones should be cleaned first to remove visible dirt, then disinfected.
• It is recommended that items that cannot be easily cleaned (e.g., newspapers, magazines, stuffed toys) be removed.

Environmental cleaning in non-health care settings

Most non-healthcare settings only require routine cleaning and not disinfection. Clean touched surfaces twice daily.

If you want to disinfect surfaces, use an off-the-shelf disinfectant according to the instructions on the label and follow Public Health Ontario’s directions for cleaning and disinfection of public settings. If you have no access to a disinfectant product, you can dilute household bleach by pouring 20 mL into 1 litre of tap water (1000ppm of Sodium Hypochlorite solution). The surface must remain wet for 10 minutes to achieve disinfection. The bleach solution may damage fabric, corrode metal, and destroy adhesives with prolonged soaking. Mix a fresh solution daily. Do not mix the bleach solution with any other cleaner or disinfectant. To find the correct dilution ratio, check out the dilution calculator from Public Health Ontario.

Environmental cleaning in clinical settings

The Public Health Agency of Canada has developed the following guidance related to environmental cleaning of clinical settings during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

What to do

• Increase frequency of cleaning of high-touch surfaces to control the spread of microorganisms during a respiratory infection outbreak, such as COVID-19.

What to use:

• Environmental cleaning products registered in Canada with a Drug Identification Number (DIN) and labelled as a ‘broad-spectrum virucide’ are sufficient to destroy SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

What to clean and when

• All surfaces, especially those that are horizontal and frequently touched, should be cleaned at least twice daily and when soiled.

Other considerations

• Follow your ‘terminal cleaning’ protocol for cleaning of a patient's room after discharge, transfer or discontinuation of contact and droplet precautions. For more information, review Appendix 6 in Best practices for environmental cleaning for prevention and control of infections in all health care settings (third edition) - Public Health Ontario
• Ensure rooms have minimal equipment or supplies to help facilitate the environmental cleaning process.
• Amenities that are open to the public (e.g., washrooms, change rooms, showers) must be cleaned a minimum of twice daily and more frequently if needed, and disinfected frequently.

Where can I find information about the public health measures related to my sector?

For information on the  measures in place under the provincewide shutdown, please visit:

• COVID-19 Shutdown: enhanced public health and workplace safety measures (francais)
• O. Reg. 82/20 Rules for Areas in Stage 1 (français)

What is closed during the provincewide shutdown? 

For information on what’s open and closed during the provincewide shutdown, please visit:

• COVID-19 Shutdown: enhanced public health and workplace safety measures (francais)
• O. Reg. 82/20 Rules for Areas in Stage 1 (français)

What are the rules for retailers during the provincewide shutdown?

During the provincewide shutdown, there are many restrictions for retailers, such as:

• Reduced capacity limits for businesses permitted to have in-store shopping.
• Big box and discount stores are only permitted to have in-person shopping for certain items and is reduced to 25% capacity (e.g. grocery items, pet care supplies, household cleaning supplies, or pharmaceutical, health care, and personal care items).
• Some retailers are permitted to have in-store shopping by appointment only.
• Some retailers are only permitted to operate for curbside pickup.
• Some retailers have restricted hours for shopping and delivery.

To learn about the restrictions that apply to your retailer during the provincewide shutdown, visit:

• COVID-19 Shutdown: enhanced public health and workplace safety measures (francais)
• O. Reg. 82/20 Rules for Areas in Stage 1 (français)

Does my business or workplace need a safety plan?

Yes, businesses must have a safety plan that identifies how requirements of O. Reg. 82/20 Rules for Areas in Stage 1 (francais) will be implemented including screening, physical distancing, masks or face coverings, cleaning and disinfecting and the wearing of personal protective equipment. 

Safety plans must be made available to review on request and posted in a conspicuous place. 

• Develop your COVID-19 workplace safety plan (français).

Do employees and patrons need to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms?

Worker Screening

Workplaces are required to actively screen workers or essential visitors (e.g., delivery, maintenance, contract workers) in the work environment. The Government of Ontario created an online COVID-19 worker and employee screening tool that can be used.

Patron Screening

Businesses must implement passive screening for patrons through signage. For example, the STOP Notice to Visitors on our signage page.

Some businesses permitted to remain open during the provincewide shutdown are required to conduct active screening, such as indoor shopping malls.  If your business is required to conduct active screening, consider using the COVID-19 customer screening tool.  

Do my staff have to wear personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Yes. PPE is required if staff are within 2 metres of another person who is not wearing a mask or face covering, and are not separated by an impermeable barrier (e.g., plexiglass).

Protection of the eyes, nose, and mouth is required – goggles or face shields and masks. Cloth face coverings are not considered PPE.

Employers also have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to take every precaution  reasonable to protect their workers. Refer to Using masks in the workplace (french).

If distancing is greater than 2 metres, face coverings continue to be required indoors, with exceptions.

Which businesses and commercial establishments are required to collect patron's contact information?

Businesses that are permitted to operate during the provincewide shutdown may be required to collect the contact information of patrons.  Consider using or adapting our COVID-19 Sample Customer Log.

• O. Reg. 82/20 Rules for Areas in Stage 1 (français) 
• COVID-19: enhanced public health and workplace safety measures (français) - Government of Ontario

What are the rules for managing lineups?

Patrons must not be permitted to line up inside a business or establishment, or to line up or congregate outside a business or establishment unless they maintain at least 2 metres from others and wear a face covering. 

It is the responsibility of the establishment to ensure compliance. You can post our Waiting Outside this Premise sign in a visible location 

How can businesses protect customers? 

• Review and ensure your business complies with the sector-specific provincial and local public health measures for your sector: 
  • O. Reg. 82/20 Rules for Areas in Stage 1 (français) 
  • COVID-19: enhanced public health and workplace safety measures (français) - Government of Ontario
  • Reduce overcrowding and adhere to the capacity requirements for your establishment. Manage the entrance, and flow to maintain physical distancing.
• If offering delivery or curbside pickup, follow Workplace Safety & Prevention Services Guidance on Health and Safety for Curbside Pickup and Delivery Services during COVID-19).
• Follow mandatory face covering requirements.
• Use signs at entry doors for customers to screen themselves for COVID-19 symptoms before entering.
• Provide hand sanitizer for customers at entry and exit points.
• Place tape or circles on the floor so the customers know where to stand as they wait in line or when interacting with staff.

How can businesses protect staff?

• Review and ensure your business complies with the sector-specific provincial and local public health measures for your sector: 
  • COVID-19 Shutdown: Enhanced public health and workplace safety measures (French)
  • O. Reg. 82/20 Rules for Areas in Stage 1 (français)
• During the provincewide shutdown, businesses or organizations must ensure that anyone who performs work conducts work remotely, unless their work requires them to be on-site. 

• Share information about COVID-19 from reliable sources with all staff, to minimize fear and misinformation.
• Maintain physical distancing among staff
  • For staff that are unable to work from home and must be on-site, adjust workplace policies to promote flexible work hours, where possible. This will reduce the number of staff that are on-site at the same time.
  • Encourage virtual meetings or teleconferencing.
  • Rearrange office spaces, keeping workstations and seating to 2 meters apart, or installing Plexiglass dividers.
  • Encourage physical distancing on elevators.
• Workplaces are required, under the O. Reg. 82/20 Rules for Areas in Stage 1 (français) to screen workers or essential visitors (e.g., delivery, maintenance, and contract workers) in the work environment. The Government of Ontario created a COVID-19 Worker and Employee screening tool that workplaces can use.
• Staff are required to wear personal protective equipment if within 2 metres of another person who is not wearing a mask or face covering, and are not separated by an impermeable barrier (e.g., plexiglass). Protection of the eyes, nose and mouth is required – goggles or face shields and masks. Cloth face coverings are not considered PPE.
• Employers also have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to take every precaution to reasonable protect the workers. Refer to using masks in the workplace (français).

Set regular work hours and take scheduled breaks throughout the day

• Continue to wake up at the same time, shower, get dressed, and eat a healthy breakfast
• Use your breaks to stretch, or if you are not required to self-isolate, go for a brisk walk, while remembering to maintain 2 metre (6 feet) from others.
• To avoid burnout resist the temptation to work beyond your established work schedule.

Set up a dedicated workspace 

• If possible, set up a space which minimizes distractions, and work in an area with lots of natural light. This will help you to create boundaries between your work and home life.
• If possible, work in an area with lots of natural light.

 Stay connected to others

• Talking to people you trust can help lessen feelings of anxiety or loneliness. Try staying connected to others using different methods such as phone calls, video calls, and social media. 
• Speak with your manager about any changes to your work or expectations while working from home.

Maintain healthy routines

Our physical health has a big impact on how we feel. Take care of your body by:

• Getting plenty of sleep- aim for 7.5 to 9 hours of sleep and try practicing healthy sleep routines by avoiding screens before bed.
• Eating different healthy foods.
• Exercising regularly- this can take the form of outdoor activities (such as running or walking) or indoor exercises.

Keep a healthy balance if you have children at home

• Schedule blocks of time for when you are working and when you are engaging with your kids.
• Talk with your kids about what types of interruptions are okay.
• Take advantage of the time when kids may be asleep.
• Take turns looking after the kids if you have a partner.

Help is available if you need it

• It is natural to feel anxious or stressed in response to a combination of COVID-19 and working from home.
• If available, access mental health services through your Employee Assistance Program
• Visit our mental health, substance use, and stigma page for additional resources, including support hot lines. 
• Learn more about mental well-being, including recognizing when you need help, and more resources available.