Hamilton

Should your workplace be shut down?

Ontario Today tackles Toronto and Peel's new outbreak work shutdown protocol and the increased call for provincial paid sick leave in Thursday's show.

Ontario Today tackles ordered work closures, paid sick leave in Thursday's show

Toronto and Peel Region are issuing orders to force businesses with five or more cases of COVID-19 in the past two weeks to close. (Bobby Hristova/CBC)

Toronto and Peel's health units are temporarily shutting down some workplaces that have at least five COVID-19 cases within a 14-day period.

The move goes beyond current provincial workplace rules, issued instead through Section 22 of the Ontario's Health Protection and Promotion Act. It grants local medical officers certain authority when faced with public health crises.

Other hot spots like York and Ottawa have no plans to use the order. 

Though the province has barred many businesses from opening under its extended stay-at-home order, some workplaces like factories, warehouses and grocery stories continue to operate, where workers have gotten sick.

The recent spike in COVID cases and hospitalizations has led to fierce debate about what workplaces need to be open, how they contribute to virus spread and a renewed call for paid sick leave. The province has said "additional enhancements" to the currently available federal program will be announced in the coming days. 

Headed to work in-person every day? Ontario Today wants to know: should your workplace be shut down?

CBC Radio's daily provincial call-in show is extending to an hour-and-a-half Thursday to take your calls on the topic. Tune in to CBC Radio Thursday at 12 noon ET or listen here.

Leave a comment on workplace shutdowns below. Some of the best and most insightful will be featured throughout the show.