The province of Ontario has ordered all non-essential workplaces to close shop for the time being to slow the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, but manufacturers are so far exempt from this order.
Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance and Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General announced that essential businesses include, but are not limited to grocery stores and pharmacies, telecommunications and IT infrastructure service providers, and businesses that support power generation, natural gas distribution and clean drinking water.
Essential businesses are being asked to put into place any and all measures to safeguard the wellbeing of their employees on the front-lines, while all companies have been asked to very seriously consider how they can orivide teleworking and online commerce options for their employees and customers.
“While this was a difficult decision, we trust that Ontario’s business leaders will be able to promote safety while carrying out business and protecting jobs,” said Premier Doug Ford. “The grocery store clerks, transit and hydro workers and truckers are out there on the front lines making sure the people of Ontario continue to have access to the products and services they need. It is essential that their workplaces be kept as safe as possible so these local heroes can return home to their families worry free.”
The province released an extensive list of essential workplaces. Read that list here.
Obviosuly, supply chain businesses are deemed essential, but the two specific mentions for manufacturing from this list are:
• Businesses that extract, manufacture, process and distribute goods, products, equipment and materials, including businesses that manufacture inputs to other manufacturers (e.g. primary metal/ steel, blow molding, component manufacturers, chemicals, etc. that feed the end-product manufacturer);
• Businesses, facilities and services that support and facilitate the two- way movement of essential goods within integrated North American and Global supply chains.
For ore information, read the COVID-19 essential services list here.
