Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), “Canada: Ontario, Quebec Ease Lockdown Restrictions”
In Quebec, workers who do not provide priority services—such as financial services, health care, legal services, manufacturing and retail—should stay home and telework if possible, explained Gary Rosen, an attorney with Miller Thomson in Montreal.
Quebec became the first province in Canada to impose a curfew in response to soaring COVID-19 infections. Currently, the curfew is in effect from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the Montreal metropolitan area and the Quebec City region, which has 90 percent of Quebec’s population, Rosen explained.
Nonessential businesses must close before 8 p.m. to allow employees to return home, Lord added.
Employees who must travel to and from work after Quebec’s mandated curfew must have the appropriate documentation on company letterhead in French, Rosen noted. Employers should ensure the Employer Attestation for Curfew Travel letter details the employee can work outside his or her home.
Rosen advised companies in Quebec to implement measures from the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail or CNESST, Quebec’s workers’ compensation board.
“Make sure to designate a senior manager and core team to stay on top of health and safety measures and communicate that with employees,” Rosen continued. “Companies should consider regularly testing employees for COVID if they visit the facility often.”
