WVIS – COVID-19 Mitigation Discussions

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Human coronaviruses are common and are typically associated with mild illnesses, similar to the common cold. COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new coronavirus. Symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly.

We have been monitoring the situation closely. Things are changing fast. Reports and governmental recommendations are changing daily. We are working diligently to keep track of any mandates from government, discussing changes with your employer, making recommendations and seeking clarity on issues that have any potential impact on the health and safety of our members.

Here is what we can report today:

We are talking to WVIS leadership daily to try and assess what the next move is for staff, and who are most at risk. Everyone is important and everyone has a unique circumstance, but we are trying to prioritize our efforts to be most effective and efficient. As well, we are working to support those with compromised immunity and health concerns, or those who have returned from a trip outside Canada. It is our understanding, as of right now, that there are no cases of COVID-19 within the staff at WVIS.

If you have returned from a trip outside Canada, you must contact your manager prior to returning to work. As you have likely heard, regardless of if you are sick or not, you must self isolate for 14 days prior to returning to work. We have confirmed with your employer that you will be allowed to work from home during the self isolation period.

If you are concerned that you have been exposed to COVID-19, or if you have come into contact with anyone returning from one of the following countries in the last 14 days (China, Iran, Italy, Spain, South Korea), you must self isolate for 14 days from the point of contact or exposure prior to returning to work. We have confirmed with your employer that you will be allowed to work from home during the self isolation period.

If you are feeling unwell :  To protect those most vulnerable, please self monitor your health and apply a low threshold when feeling unwell. Call in sick and do not work from home until you are feeling better.

Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are like other respiratory illnesses. Commonly, these are fever/chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose. Shortness of breath and chest pain can be signs of severe illness.

If you are at a higher risk of infection due to diagnosed medical issues, you must self identify as such to HR. No medical documentation or disclosure of diagnosis will be required, and we will work together with the employer to implement accommodations that reduce your risk of exposure.

Current Operations : The employer has confirmed that they have implemented remote operations and offered all members the option to work from home. For members who are currently choosing to work from the office, the doors will remain closed and locked. Non-staff visits to the office being limited. Any non-staff coming to WVIS must confirm verbally that they do not currently have symptoms of respiratory illness or fever before they will be let in.

We continue discussions on additional health and safety protocols for those currently choosing to work in the office. More information will be shared via bulletin shortly.

In solidarity,

Nathan Beausoleil, Union Representative