Southwestern Public Health Issues Class Order To Protect Migrant Workers

Wednesday, 8 July 2020 at 10:05

A Class Order under Section 22 of Ontario’s Health Protection and Promotion Act was issued today to ensure the health and safety of migrant workers is protected within agricultural farms across the province, including in Oxford County.

OXFORD COUNTY - Medical Officer of Health or Southwestern Public Health,Dr. Joyce Lock issued a class order under Section 22 of Ontario’s Health Protection and Promotion Act today.

The order is intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within agricultural farms in Elgin County, Oxford County and St.Thomas.

Lock says farmers' health across the province will be protected.

“Based on the number of large COVID-19 outbreaks in agricultural farms in similar regions across Ontario, this is a targeted, proactive measure intended to reduce the spread of COVID19 and ensure the health of these workers,"

The order, which can be found on the Health Unit’s website, lists 22 measures that agricultural employers must follow if they hire migrant farm workers, temporary foreign workers, local workers, or workers from temporary help agencies. The measures include physical distancing practices, guidelines for accommodations, screening practices, and keeping accurate and updated contact information.

Southwestern Public Health has had one agricultural outbreak involving two residents and 20 temporary foreign workers, all of who have since recovered. However, as COVID-19 spreads quickly, the Order is necessary to further protect farm workers from the virus.

Lock adds they want to ensure migrant workers are safe to return to their families at end of the farming season.

"This is about local economics and Ontario’s food supply chain, of course. But most importantly, it is about protecting people who live and work together on area farms who want to return home to their lives and families after the agricultural season wraps up in the fall.”

Agricultural farm operators are required to follow the requirements under this order, and those who do not can be charged and fined up to $5,000 per day for every day or part of each day on which the offence occurs or continues.

The order is in place until further notice.