September 18 - COVID-19 Update

Colleagues,

Last week was very busy for many of you with family members returning to schools. The start of this school year provides yet another example of how we are all trying to figure out how to live our lives under these very unusual circumstances.

At the municipality, many staff are working from home, some continue to work onsite, and others are beginning to return to offices. In all environments, the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and residents remains at the centre of every decision we make.

As we do our best to adapt to the new safety practices, I want to remind you that we are all responsible for staying informed and following the direction from public health authorities. This means wearing masks when required, maintaining physical distance whenever possible and practicing good hygiene.

The municipality’s COVID Task Force continues to support Business Units as we adapt our operations to safely deliver services. While each Business Unit is responsible for developing Workplace Safety Plans that reflect their unique operational needs, there is also some general information we must all follow:

• All employees must complete the COVID-19 required training.
• Increased cleaning efforts are underway. Review the Cleaning Guidelines to ensure you understand your role.
• Masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces:
  • Worksite reception areas, washrooms and hallways are all deemed public places and employees must wear a mask while in these spaces.
  • If visitors enter your worksite (either staff from another location or members of the public), the workspace must be treated as public, and masks must be worn.
  • Visit the Nova Scotia Health & Wellness webpage for more information on masks.
• While virtual meetings should be utilized whenever possible, some in-person meetings are resuming.
  • Be sure to follow posted instructions including physical distancing, occupancy limits and cleaning guidelines when using municipal boardrooms.
  • The Task Force will be sharing updated Boardroom procedures with Business Units in the coming days.
• Business Units are responsible for displaying approved COVID-19 signage in their worksites. The use of directional, general instruction and public health signage aims to create safe spaces by promoting proper physical distancing, cleaning and hygiene practices.
• Employees should be aware of the revised symptoms and testing information, including how to self-isolate, and what to do if they’ve been exposed to COVID-19.

We all have a responsibility to keep ourselves, our colleagues, our residents and our communities safe. If you have questions about the COVID-19 prevention methods in your workspace, please contact your manager for more information.

Thank-you for your ongoing diligence and support as we navigate this new reality together. Staff continue to find innovative ways to deliver impeccable service to our colleagues and residents. I am truly proud and grateful to work with such a talented and considerate team of people here at HRM.

Kind regards, amitiés, wela’lioq,

Jacques

Recognizing that the duration of this situation is unknown, and to streamline your access to information, below is list of important links.

Employee updates:hrmmatters.ca/coronavirus

Municipal service adjustments:halifax.ca/coronavirus

hfxALERT, the municipality’s mass notification system: halifax.ca/hfxalert

Municipal media briefings:Follow @hfxgov on Twitter for details regarding live streaming

Public health information:Public Health Agency of Canada and Nova Scotia Health and Wellness

Human Resources:MyHR@halifax.ca or 902.490.6145

Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): 902.466.3327 or 1.800.663.1142

Halifax Regional Police Association EFAP: 902.430.8295 or 902.430.8296

International Association of Fire Fighters FFAP: 902.483.6068