COVID-19 Mitigation Discussions – Lu’ma Native Housing Society

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 Lu’ma 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 Lu’ma.

If you have returned from a trip outside Canada, you must contact your employer 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 self isolation period will be paid as administrative leave, and will not be deducted from your existing entitlements such as sick leave and vacation leave.

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 stay 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.

Mitigation Practices Implemented For Employees at Nanaimo : The employer has advised that work-from-home (WFH) protocols are available for all employees out of the Nanaimo office.

Mitigation Practices Implemented For Employees In Maintenance : The employer has advised that only essential maintenance will continue at this time. Refusal to perform unsafe work protocols remain in place.

Mitigation Practices Implemented For Employees at Heatherlands : The employer has advised that all one-on-one sessions have been cancelled for the time being, and that employees have been advised to remain in the administrative office whenever communicating with residents. Surgical masks are available, as well as latex gloves.

Contact a job steward or your union representative if you run into any contradiction to these practices.

We will continue to monitor the situation daily, and we are expecting updated recommendations from BCH and VCH shortly. Please feel free to contact a job steward or e-mail nbeausoleil@moveuptogether.ca if you have any questions or concerns regarding COVID-19’s impact on your health and safety in the workplace.