03/13/2020
Hi Everyone,
I’m writing to you today to provide information regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and what we at A+G Reforestation are doing in response.
I’m sure many of you may have questions and concerns about staying safe and healthy during the planting season. So I want to fill you in on what we are doing.
As a company we have a responsibility to look after the well-being of our staff, their families and our neighbours in the community. We take coronavirus transmission very seriously and we will all have to work together to keep risk of infection low.
I won’t bore you with all of the official guidance that we have received and sources of information - I’m sure you’ve seen most of it already! If you do want more information, I’ll include some links below and you can also reach out to me directly for more detail. But here’s what we are doing:
In our camp, we are:
* Changing our toilet facilities from pit toilets to self-contained porta-potties that can be more easily cleaned and sanitized.
* We are adding additional hand washing stations located at entrances to the cook shack.
* We will be plating food at breakfast and dinner times rather than offering buffet style self-serve food.
* We are exploring measures to improve the “lunch table” (such as single use gloves, and some different ideas for food layout)
* We have pre-ordered cleansing and sanitation supplies to avoid forecast supply shortages.
In addition, at all of our workplaces, we will:
* Ensure the frequent cleaning of ‘high-touch surfaces’ such as truck door handles, seatbelts, and office equipment.
* Encourage and enforce frequent hand hygiene.
* Encourage sneeze and cough etiquette.
* Encourage social distancing measures.
* Educate First Aid Attendants in recognition of symptoms (elevated temperature in combination with respiratory symptoms are the best indicator of possible infections).
* (NEW UPDATE MAR. 13) Ensure that employees who have travelled outside of Canada, will be asked to remain away from the workplace or schools for a period of 14 days upon their return.
* Encourage people to leave the workplace when they are feeling unwell (and come back when you’re feeling better 😌).
As always, to keep yourself and the people around you healthy, remember to:
* Isolate yourself from others if you have respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath) and/or a temperature above 100.4 F.
* Shield coughs and sneezes with a tissue, elbow, or shoulder (not the bare hands)
* Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
* Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when available.
* Keep your hands away from your face.
And, we’ll add that it’s sensible to avoid shaking hands entirely to reduce the risk of spreading infection. Though that might feel awkward at times, it’s an increasingly common practice in hospitals, clinics, and many workplaces.
It is important to remain diligent about hygiene and community health, especially as we all come together for the planting season. Preventing the spread of infections such as colds, flu and stomach bugs is always front of mind for us during the planting season. This year we have cause to be especially diligent. I have included some credible sources of information below for those that want to seek more information.
Working together to keep each other healthy will ensure a healthy, productive season for you and your colleagues.
See you soon,
Carlo
Additional Resources:
Checking for symptoms
If you or someone you know is experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms, call the provincial health information hotline at 8-1-1, or contact the B.C Centre for Disease Control at 1-833-784-4397.
You can also conduct an initial self-diagnosis at the provincial government’s HealthLinkBC page: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/hwsxchk
Information and Planning Sources
Public Health Agency of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
B.C. Centre for Disease Control virus update: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)
Government of Canada virus update: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
World Health Organization virus update: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/
