COVID-19 forces closure of 38 workplaces in Vancouver Coastal, Fraser Health

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A total of 38 businesses in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health regions were ordered to close due to workplace transmission of COVID-19 last week.

A new Provincial Health Order came into effect April 12 allowing public health or WorkSafeBC to order a business to shutter if three or more employees test positive, and it is determined there was transmission at work. The closure lasts at least 10 days.

In Vancouver Coastal Health, nine businesses were affected — six restaurants, a blow-dry bar, a spa offering massage, and a boxing gym.

In Fraser Health 29 businesses were shut down. The list includes restaurants, retail stores, food processing facilities, manufacturing sites, gyms, a government office, a resort, and a grocery store.

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The order addresses cases at individual workplaces in order to prevent a widespread shutdown, according to Fraser Health.

“By using targeted worksite closures around current cases of COVID-19, we may be able to avoid or delay broader workplace closure measures, which could close entire business sectors,” the website reads.

“In the case of complex workplaces (e.g., large construction sites), a closure may be restricted to parts of the workplace where transmission has occurred.”

Modelling released last week showed that manufacturing, restaurants, and gyms have been hardest hit by workplace clusters of coronavirus cases.