
Resources for Temporary Foreign Worker Employers during 14-day Self-Isolation
Message from Minister Colwell
Effective immediately, all temporary foreign workers entering Nova Scotia will be required to isolate in single room facilities with their own dedicated bathroom, such as hotels and convention centres.
Given that new variants are more contagious, single rooms offer a better option over communal living spaces to help reduce transmission. This should decrease additional hardship of extended quarantine times on all workers and employers should one worker test positive. Hotel isolation will also streamline the coordination of testing.
Recognizing the additional, unplanned cost of this revised isolation requirement, the provincial government is working to cover the cost of hotel isolation, including both the accommodations and food. Perennia will continue to coordinate tracking of arrivals and will now book hotel accommodations on behalf of employers. They will contact employers with workers scheduled to arrive in Nova Scotia in the next week first to book their accommodations.
Temporary foreign workers coming directly to Nova Scotia by charters will be tested on day 1 through our provincial testing system. This satisfies the federal requirement for a test upon arrival. These workers will also be tested locally on day 12 of their isolation, which satisfies the federal requirement for a second test on day 10. Provincial government will arrange for testing at the hotels, which alleviates employers of this responsibility.
We appreciate employers’ continued cooperation and support to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 within their sectors and in Nova Scotia communities.
Supporting Nova Scotia Farms, Agri-Businesses and Seafood Companies
The Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, Perennia and the Nova Scotia Departments of Agriculture and Fisheries and Aquaculture are working together to support agriculture and seafood companies in successfully completing the mandatory 14-day isolation period of temporary foreign workers, arriving in Nova Scotia via the SAWP and TFW streams.
Perennia is the primary contact to support employers through the isolation period and will act as the liaison to help employers ensure compliance with all provincial requirements.
The NSFA takes an active role in supporting employers by ensuring all required resources and templates are available for use during isolation and beyond. The NSFA is the voice of Nova Scotia farmers and takes an active role in advocating on various issues impacting temporary foreign workers and their employers.
As the employer, the process you follow for arranging your workers for the seasons remains the same – whether it be through F.A.R.M.S., another provider or own your own. The support provided by Perennia is to help prepare you for your arrival of workers in Nova Scotia in compliance with the Guidance for Temporary Foreign Workers employed in the Agriculture and Seafood Sectors document.
Perennia Food and Agriculture (for topics involving the 14-day isolation period) |
Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture (NSFA) |
Sara Bone Main office: 902-678-7722 ext 3 or Toll Free 1-877-710-5210 ext 3 Cell phone: 902-300-4710 Email: sbone@perennia.ca and co copy tfw@perennia.caPerennia’s COVID-19 webpage Kyla Pierik |
Carolyn Van Den Heuvel Cell phone: 902-318-8977 Email: cvandenheuvel@nsfa-fane.ca |