On March 17, 2020, the Province of British Columbia declared
COVID-19 a "public health emergency". The realities of a
global pandemic could not be foreseen just a couple of months ago.
Now, it is impossible to read the news or scroll through a social
media feed without being overwhelmed with information about the
pandemic.
Among the issues created by the public health emergency are the
significant workplace disruptions that British Columbia employees
and employers are now required to navigate. While these
frustrations will be temporary, workers and employers have
important roles to play in maximizing public health throughout this
crisis.
Employers should recognize their statutory duty to ensure the
safety of their employees pursuant to section 115 of British
Columbia's Workers Compensation Act. What a safe
workplace means will depend on the nature of the work and the
physical space. For example, in the case of restaurants, bars and
cafes, if patrons cannot be kept
