In its fight against COVID-19, Ontario published its list of Essential Workplaces (8:30 pm last night, March 23), which include businesses involved in electricity generation, transmission and distribution, telecom and IT infrastructure service providers, and more.

Essential Institutional, Residential, Commercial and Industrial Maintenance Workplaces include:

• Businesses that provide support and maintenance services, including urgent repair, to maintain the safety, security, sanitation and essential operation of institutional, commercial, industrial and residential properties and buildings, including:

property management services, plumbers, electricians, custodial/janitorial workers, cleaning services, security services, fire safety and sprinkler systems, building systems maintenance and repair technicians and engineers, mechanics (e.g. HVAC, escalator and elevator technicians), and other service providers who provide similar services.

Essential Construction Workplaces include:

• Construction projects and services associated with the healthcare sector, including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space.

• Construction projects and services required to ensure safe and reliable operations of critical provincial infrastructure, including transit, transportation, energy and justice sectors beyond the day-to-day maintenance.

• Construction work and services, including demolition services, in the industrial, commercial, institutional and residential sectors.

• Construction work and services that supports health and safety environmental rehabilitation projects.

These essential businesses are asked to put into place any and all measures to safeguard the well-being of their employees against COVID-19.

(Arguably, if your business services other Essential Workplaces, then you should still be in demand.)

CLICK HERE for THE FULL LIST of Ontario’s Essential Workplaces.

Other, at-risk workplaces are ordered to close by 11:59 pm tonight (March 24) and, where possible, take the necessary measures so staff can work from home allowing operations to continue.

Teleworking and online commerce are permitted at all times for all businesses.