Guidance for Temporary Foreign Workers employed in the Agriculture and Seafood Sectors

1.1. Social distancing of two metres between the driver and the workers will be maintained at all times.

1.2. TFW will: 1.2.1.1. be met at the “luggage” pick-up by their employer/representative 1.2.1.2. be permitted to go to the washroom to wash their hands 1.2.1.3. be directed to the vehicle 1.2.1.4. put their own luggage in the vehicle 1.2.1.5. sit in the back seat(s) of the vehicle 1.2.1.6. be driven directly to the isolation site 1.2.1.7. exit the vehicle and collect their luggage 1.2.1.8. be guided directly to their isolation site

1.3. Vehicles will be cleaned and disinfected upon arrival at self-isolation facility. 2. Employer can provide vehicle(s) at Airport for TFW to drive themselves to isolation site:

2.1. Social distancing of two metres between the driver and the workers will be maintained at all times. 2 novascotia.ca/coronavirus

2.2. TFW will: 2.2.1.1. be met at the “luggage” pick-up by their employer/representative 2.2.1.2. be permitted to go to the washroom to wash their hands 2.2.1.3. be directed to the vehicle 2.2.1.4. put their own luggage in the vehicle 2.2.1.5. drive directly to the isolation site. The employer/representative will follow the worker vehicle to ensure they drive directly to the isolation site 2.2.1.6. exit the vehicle and collect their luggage 2.2.1.7. be guided directly to their isolation site

2.3. Vehicles will be cleaned and disinfected upon arrival at self-isolation facility. 3. Employers can coordinate and utilize third-party transportation for TFW:

3.1. Social distancing of two metres between the driver and the workers will be maintained at all times.

3.2. TFW will: 3.2.1.1. be met at the “luggage” pick-up by the representative 3.2.1.2. be permitted to go to the washroom to wash their hands 3.2.1.3. be directed to the bus 3.2.1.4. put their own luggage in the bus. Buses usually have capacity for 56 passengers but will leave every other seat empty and only transport a maximum of 28 passengers 3.2.1.5. be driven to the isolation facility, either to a centralized location or employer facility 3.2.1.6. exit the vehicle and collect their luggage 3.2.1.7. be guided directly to their isolation site 3 novascotia.ca/coronavirus EMPLOYEE EDUCATION Upon arrival at their self-isolation location, all TFW must be provided COVID-19 information and best practices training. Regular reminder sessions for TFW are recommended to provide updated information and reinforce best practices. Training must include protocols for safety measures, hygiene and physical distancing as well as health monitoring and reporting illness. Training and education should be available in both English and the language best suited for the employees. The Public Health Agency of Canada has some materials available in several languages. They can be reached at 1-833-784-4397 or phac.covi19.aspc@canada.ca. Information on proper hand washing and COVID-19 symptoms should be posted in both work and living facilities. HYGIENE AND CLEANING REQUIREMENTS Good hygiene and other directives can help prevent COVID-19 transmission. Employers must establish cleaning protocols for during the TFW self-isolation period and regular work terms. Hand washing must be encouraged, particularly before and after preparing or eating food and after handling garbage, dirty laundry or bathroom use. Employers are required to ensure suitable hand washing facilities or hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol is available for workers at all times. All common areas and surfaces are required to be cleaned twice daily. Examples include washrooms, vehicles, tables, light switches, and door handles. Regular household cleaners, disinfectant wipes or diluted bleach solution can be used according to the label directions. A list of hard-surface disinfectants can be found on the Federal Government website. 4 novascotia.ca/coronavirus SELF-ISOLATION PERIOD TFW are required to self-isolate for 14 days following their arrival. They are not allowed to work during this period. Nova Scotia’s public health directives including social distancing and social gatherings of no more than 5 people must be followed at all times during the self-isolation period. Employers are required to ensure TFW have all the necessary supplies required to self-isolate including appropriate housing, food, cleaning and personal supplies. Employers must perform regular check-ins to ensure that workers do not leave the isolation site at any time. Isolation can occur in housing provided by the employer at or near their work location or in centralized isolation facilities which has been contracted to provide this service. 1. Employer owner/leased facilities (e.g. on-farm housing, apartments)

1.1. All farms hiring TFW through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program and Agricultural Stream are required to have a housing inspection completed prior to the arrival of their workers. These facilities are designed to ensure adequate space, kitchen facilities and common areas for workers. The Housing Inspection Report is required by Employment and Social Development Canada.

1.2. These isolation sites will be considered house-hold units under the Order of the Medical Officer.

1.3. All employers must complete the pre-screening checklist attached as Appendix A to self-assess their ability to ensure self-isolation requirements can be met in their facilities.

1.4. Shared sleeping facilities are permitted assuming that social distancing requirements are followed. Beds must be a minimum two metres apart.

1.5. Shared facilities (e.g. bathroom, kitchen, living space) are allowed, provided there is sufficient space in the accommodations for TFW to respect the self-isolation requirements.

1.6. Common areas and kitchen facilities must have adequate space to allow for proper social distancing within the isolation sites.

1.7. Employers must ensure that cleaning logs are maintained by the TFW in each unit to record cleaning routines. 5 novascotia.ca/coronavirus

1.8. Employers must put into place systems to ensure TFW are able to access food and personal supplies without leaving the accommodations (e.g. there are telephones or internet available)..

1.8.1.1. Employers will ensure there are groceries in the house upon arrival.

1.8.1.2. Employers will do any required shopping for workers, delivering groceries to the door and leaving them on the step for the workers to take in the house.

1.8.1.3. TFW will prepare their own meals.

1.8.1.4. If the employers provide meals to the workers, the meals will be delivered to the workers door and left for the workers to collect. 2. Centralized isolation facilities (e.g. convention centre, hotel)

2.1. Facilities have been notified that TFW are self-isolating and will have security do regular walk throughs to ensure that guests are maintaining social distancing and not gathering in any common areas or rooms.

2.2. Employers must have representatives on site at the facility to respond to workers needs and to ensure that TFW are abiding by self- isolation protocols.

2.3. Rooms must be single occupancy.

2.4. If facilities that have shared washrooms, cleaning materials would be left in the washrooms and TFW would be responsible for cleaning and disinfecting after use.

2.5. Facility staff will provide hand soap/linens in the guest rooms but will not be providing daily cleaning of the rooms. Linen changes will be arranged through a drop off at the door with towels and sheets changed once per week or more often if requested.

2.6. Cleaning supplies will be delivered to individual rooms as needed.

2.7. Meals will be delivered by facility or outside catering company.

2.7.1.1. Meals will be delivered at the door of each room.

2.7.1.2. Dirty dishes, garbage will be picked up in the hallways outside the room.

2.7.1.3. Facility staff will have minimal contact with the guests during their 14 day isolation period. 6 novascotia.ca/coronavirus

2.7.1.4. Meal delivery times would be set, and TFW would need to be in their rooms to minimize any contact with staff.

2.7.1.5. Disposable utensils and dinnerware would be used. Pictures of either accommodations should be taken, and date stamped for the employer’s records. Employers must ensure that the health of TFW are monitored daily during this time (see Monitoring section below). The 14 days of self-isolation are included in the TFW period of employment. That means that the employer must comply with requirements of the employer-employee relationship during that time. More information is available on the TFW Program page of the Employment and Social Development Canada website. MONITORING Employers are responsible for instructing TFW to self-monitor at least daily for fever (or feeling feverish), new or worsening cough, headache, sore throat or runny nose. More information is available on Nova Scotia’s website, including an on-line self-assessment tool. The employer must ensure that employees are regularly monitored for symptoms during the self-isolation period. This monitoring must take place on a daily basis and a record of the results must be maintained. If monitoring sessions are conducted in person, social distancing must be maintained. Personal privacy of workers should be protected in gathering information. Any individuals who are experiencing two or more of the above symptoms must immediately self- isolate and complete the on-line self-assessment tool (see If Illness Develops section below). 7 novascotia.ca/coronavirus WORK PLACE PROTOCOLS After the self-isolation period, employers are responsible to ensure protocols are in place and followed by TFW for both living accommodations and work activities. The Federal Guidelines state that TFW should continue to follow social distancing requirements in their living accommodations as much as possible after the isolation period. Reminders of good hygiene practices, including hand washing, must be posted in living and work locations. TFW must be instructed to continue to self-monitor for symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing and report any such symptoms immediately. Cleaning routines must be established including the disinfecting of common spaces and high touch areas, including work vehicles and equipment. Employers must ensure the TFW have access to individual personal items and, as much as possible, their own tools for work. When not possible, proper hand washing and disinfection practices must be followed. The food sector is deemed essential services and are thereby exempted from Nova Scotia’s social distancing and gathering requirements at work locations. However, employers must minimize work situations that require distancing of less than 2 metres. Work hours, including breaks, should be staggered where possible to discourage workers from congregating. Like all Nova Scotia residents, employers and TFW, are required to follow public health directives, including social distancing requirements and social gathering restrictions when not working on-shift. IF ILLNESS DEVELOPS If any worker becomes unwell, the employer must arrange for that worker to be fully isolated from all others and complete the on-line self-assessment tool. Further directions will be provided at the completion of the tool. If the on-line assessment tool cannot be accessed, then assessment can be obtained by calling 811. 8 novascotia.ca/coronavirus The Employer must have a plan to safely (ill employee should wear a mask and sit in a row of seats different than the driver) transport an ill employee to an assessment centre if this is directed by 811. The Employer must ensure all public health directives are followed for all employees. Employers are responsible for ensuring employees are provided with necessary supplies for isolating when sick and the daily monitoring of the employee occurs. The employer should also call the local consulate of the employee. OTHER INFORMATION Information and resources on COVID-19 are available from the Nova Scotia Government and the Government of Canada. Employers are employees are responsible to be aware of alerts and notices, including orders by the Medical Officer of Health. 9 novascotia.ca/coronavirus APPENDIX A Pre-Screening Checklist for Temporary Foreign Worker Self-Isolation Facilities Farm Name: ________________________________________________________________________________ Date: _______________________________________________________________________________________ House or Self-Isolation Unit Address: _ ______________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ The employer is responsible for completing a Pre-Screening Checklist for each individual housing unit. The employer is responsible for attaching photos to support their assessment. The Pre-Screening Checklist will be submitted to Perennia who may share this document with the appropriate government officials as necessary. Yes No Comment The employer has reviewed the following documents: Most Recent Health Protection Order by the Medical Officer of Health Guidance for Employers of TFWs on COVID-19 Nova Scotia Guidance for Temporary Foreign Workers The following documents are available at the self- isolation unit, including any necessary directions: COVID-19 Health Screening Form COVID-19 Health Screening Log Self-Isolation Infographic The following personal hygiene communication and supplies are available at the self-isolation unit: Hand Washing Poster Hand Sanitizer Info Sheet Stop the Spread of Germs Infographic Wearing a Mask Infographic Removing Gloves Infographic Hygiene Supplies – soap, water, hand sanitizer, towels Laundry Facilities and Supplies 10 novascotia.ca/coronavirus Yes No Comment The following cleaning and disinfecting communication and supplies are available at the self-isolation unit: Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures Disinfectants Info Sheet Cleaning supplies – cleaners, disinfectants, cloths COVID-19 House Cleaning and Disinfecting Log The following communication, supplies and logs are openly available in the common areas: Photos must be submitted to verify all items in this section. Physical Distancing Poster – 2 meter and 5-person rule Furniture position allows for 2 meter and 5-person rule Stop the Spread of Germs Infographic Hand Sanitizer Info Sheet The following communication and supplies are openly available in the bathrooms: Hand Washing Poster Hand Sanitizer Info Sheet Hygiene Supplies- soap, water, hand sanitizer, towels The following communication and supplies are openly available in the bedrooms: Physical Distancing Poster – 2 Meter and 5-Person Rule Bed Spacing – Photos must be submitted to verify single occupancy rooms or beds a minimum of 2 meters apart Bed Linens and Pillows – weekly washing schedule The following communication, supplies and logs are available in the kitchen facilities: Grocery Supply Available Procedure for workers to request supplies Space to prepare meals Pots, pans, and utensils to prepare meals Dishes, cutlery, and cups available Kitchen cleaning and disinfecting supplies Hand Washing Poster Waste and recycling receptacles with bags Physical Distancing Poster – 2 Meter and 5-Person Rule 11 novascotia.ca/coronavirus Yes No Comment If a worker is sick the following is available: Alternate space plan in place for sick worker to isolate from others. Do on-line assessment tool or contact 8-1-1 Consulate Contact Information COVID-19 Health Screening Log By signing below, I acknowledge and agree to the following: • that this information is being requested pursuant to the Public Health Order (as amended) issued by the Chief Medical Officer, dated March 24, 2020, made under Section 32 of the Health Protection Act (Nova Scotia); • that all information provided above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge; • that I agree to indemnify and save harmless the Province of Nova Scotia, its Ministers, officers, employees and agents, and Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc., its directors, officers, employees and agents from and against all claims, demands, losses, costs, damages, actions, suits or other proceedings of any kind based upon injury, including death, to any person, or damage to or loss of property arising from any wilful or negligent act, omission or delay on the part of the undersigned, its servants, agents or contractors in carrying out activities related to the oversight and management of the temporary foreign workers while present in the Province of Nova Scotia during the Provincial State of Emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Signature _________________________________________ Date _ ________________________________ Print name ________________________________________ 12 novascotia.ca/coronavirus