As Province Re-Opens, Ontario Chamber Calls for Focus on Personal Protective Equipment

 (Toronto – May 1, 2020) – Today, Rocco Rossi, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce released the following statement in reaction to the provincial government’s announcement to allow certain businesses and workplaces to reopen as long as they comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak:

“We are pleased to see certain businesses and workplaces are able to re-open and it is being done in a thoughtful and gradual way.  We commend the Province in being steadfast in their dedication to protect the health and safety of Ontarians while also focusing efforts on economic recovery.

“As we cautiously re-open businesses, the safety of workers and consumers must be paramount. It is for that reason we call on Health Canada in coordination with provincial/territorial health officers to develop updated guidelines for employers – alongside a public health campaign for consumers – on proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other health and safety considerations related to combatting COVID-19.

“For many employers and employees, this pandemic was their first experience with using PPE and/or meeting stricter health and safety standards. In the rush to acquire and distribute PPE, many businesses may not have had the time or knowledge to appropriately educate their employees on best practices for use.

“We have heard from many businesses owners that they are concerned about access to PPE and the costs of investing in measures required to make their workplaces safe. We hope all levels of government will provide support to the business community so that we can get our economy moving quickly and safely.”

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan, indispensable partner of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.

For more information, please contact:
Michelle Eaton
Vice President, Public Affairs
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
michelleeaton@occ.ca or 647-261-4594