Resources for Temporary Foreign Worker Employers during 14-day Self-Isolation

Updated May 31, 2021

Message from Minister Colwell – March 25, 2021

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. Additionally, Perennia books hotel accommodations for the worker isolations on behalf of employers.

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.ca

Perennia’s COVID-19 webpage

Carolyn Van Den Heuvel
Cell phone: 902-318-8977
Email: cvandenheuvel@nsfa-fane.ca

Applicable Legislation

There are both federal and provincial requirements relating to the isolation period of temporary foreign workers. It is your responsibility as the employer to ensure that you and your workers understand your requirements under this legislation. Your responsibility and liability as employers are significant. In turn, so are the consequences of non-compliance.

Most Recent Health Protection Order by the Medical Officer of Health

Guidance for Temporary Foreign Workers Employed in the Agriculture and Seafood Sectors

Guidance for Employers of TFWs on COVID-19

Workers Preparing to Come to Nova Scotia

We have developed a welcome back video that will provide your workers with a brief overview of what to expect when they arrive in Nova Scotia, what their isolation will look like this year, and what the Public Health guidelines are. The videos have been uploaded to our Youtube channel for easy sharing, and are available in English and Spanish. Please feel free to share with your workers prior to their arrival.

Click here for English video.

Click here for Spanish video.

Switch Health

Switch Health is only applicable to those workers coming in through a major airport and not flying direct to Halifax. Workers traveling through a major airport will be tested by Switch Health at that airport and you will require an account.

Switch Health has a dedicated TFW line ready to answer questions and concerns.

Please call 1-888-511-4501 if after being ALL SET you still feel an Account Manager is the best solution for you. Alternatively, you can email Switch Health directly at: tfw-canada@switchhealth.ca and make your request. Click here to learn how to setup an account.

ArriveCan

There are additional Federal requirements this year for workers and they must complete the following before coming to Canada:

As of November 21, 2020, those who are entering Canada by plane are required to complete the federal ArriveCAN app prior to arrival. Information available on the federal government website at: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html
As of January 7, 2021, those who arrive in Canada by plane are required to have had a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival. Details can be found at can be found at https://travel.gc.ca /

ArriveCAN Posters:

English

Spanish

During the Isolation Period

Workers are required to complete their two-week isolation period in single occupancy hotel rooms with their own bathroom.

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.

Employers must check-in with their employees each day – via phone, text or while maintaining 2m distancing. Employers must track their check-ins using the COVID-19 Health Screening Log.

Workers are required to complete their COVID-19 Daily Health Screening Form, be sure to check with the hotel and ensure these forms are in each room. COVID-19 Daily Health Screening Form for Worker – Click here for Spanish

Workers must also complete their daily check-in through the ArriveCAN app or by calling 1-833-641-0343.

Picking Up Workers From Hotel

After discussions with our hotel partners, we are asking that you please touch base with the hotel that your workers are completing their isolation at to discuss pickup. Coordinating and scheduling a time with the hotel will allow for a smoother pickup process and limit the risk of exposure in the hotel lobby.

All workers will need to have confirmation of negative test results from the Day 12 test and are not experiencing any COVID related symptoms, before they can check out.

Given the increase in COVID-19 restrictions across the province, and especially in the HRM, we have received a number of questions when it comes to pickup workers. Please note that picking up workers would be considered essential travel, and you will be able to go and get your workers at their isolation facilities. However, this must be a straight trip, to the hotel and back, no other stops can be made.

After Isolation

Your workers have completed the isolation period – hopefully without any complications. As your workers return to work, it will be important to educate them on all health and safety requirements on the farm. Farm Safety Nova Scotia has collected and prepared a number of resources to support you in ensuring the health and safety of your farm, your families and your workers. Please visit the Farm Safety Nova Scotia COVID-19 Resources page for further resources to support you post-isolation.

It is also important to note, that farms employing Temporary Foreign Workers should expect an inspection from the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Department of Labour and Advanced Education following the isolation period. This inspection will be focused specifically on COVID-19 related protocols and will follow the Inspection Checklist found here. All efforts will be made by OHS Officers to contact the farm in advance to arrange a visit time. If you have any questions or concerns with your inspection, please contact Lori Brookhouse, Farm Safety Advisor for support.

Supporting Documents

The following documents have been collected or developed by Farm Safety Nova Scotia in an effort to support you in ensuring the health and safety of your farm, your families and your workers. Please visit the Farm Safety Nova Scotia COVID-19 Resources page for further resources.

Please share the following information document with your worker. It provides a basic overview of the situation and key contacts for them.

Information for TFWs – Click here for Spanish

Emergency Contact Information

Vaccines

COVID-19 Vaccine “What you need to know” Factsheet

These are available in nine different language’s, you can find them on the Nova Scotia government’s website here.

Vaccine Information Sheets

Vaccine Videos Developed by Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers
It is important to share vaccine information from trusted sources to ensure workers can make informed decisions and have confidence in the vaccination process. The following have been adapted from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Public Health Ontario and the World Health Organization.

Click here to view the available resources.

COVID-19 Explained – Videos Developed by Nova Scotia Government, Public Health, and Dalhousie Faculty of Health

Answering commonly asked questions about COVID-19 in Nova Scotia. Click here to view the video library.

Spanish Vaccine Resources from the Public Health Agency of Canada

There are more resources coming (included videos) and as they are available, they will be added to this page under “Vacunación”: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/awareness-resources/spanish.html

Booking for Workers
If you don’t have a Nova Scotia Health Card you can still receive the vaccine, even if you’re not a permanent resident of Nova Scotia, this includes temporary foreign workers.

You can only book an appointment for your workers when their age group becomes eligible based on Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 immunization plan. You can only book an appointment by phone. When you book the appointment, 1st and 2nd dose appointments are booked together.

If they received their first dose outside of Nova Scotia they’re not able to book an appointment for their second dose. Nova Scotia is looking at a process for people who only need to receive their second dose and will share information on the process when available.

When your workers arrive at their appointment, they will need to provide government-issued identification from their home country and 1 additional piece of supporting documentation.

Below are a few examples of the required supporting documentation:

utility bill that shows the address of where they’re staying in Nova Scotia
letter from an occupant of the residence where they’re staying in Nova Scotia confirming your stay
proof of work in Nova Scotia (for example, letter from employer or pay stub)
work permit (showing location by province or territory and their name and date of birth)

To book appointment by phone, call toll-free: 1-833-797-7772 (7 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week).

Funding Supports

Provincial Funding Programs

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Agriculture Response Program

Federal Funding Programs

Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program Application Guide. Apply online or view as PDF Document.

Additional Links and Resources

CCOHS Online Course: Prevent the Spread of COVID-19: Guidance for Temporary Foreign Workers. This course is available in English, French and Spanish.

As of November 21, 2020, those who are entering Canada by plane are required to complete the federal ArriveCAN app prior to arrival. Information available on the federal government website at: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html

As of January 7, 2021, those who arrive in Canada by plane are required to have had a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival. Details can be found at can be found at https://travel.gc.ca /

Frequently asked questions: Changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers program regarding COVID-19 – Canada.ca

IRCC – Instructions for work permit applications for changing jobs quickly.

Compliance inspections for Employers of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program during the COVID-19 pandemic

Letter from Ministers to employers – Temporary Foreign Workers – COVID-19

Guidance for Employers of Temporary Foreign Workers regarding COVID-19

FAQ – Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program regarding COVID-19

Main COVID-19 page for the TFW Program, which includes an overview of the new measures for employers

Public Relations/Public Trust

Welcome Back!

The 2021 season is upon us! Inspired by L’Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA), the NSFA and Meet Your Farmer have developed a poster and a number of social media posts. The goal of this mini campaign is to welcome back our workers, while educating the public on the COVID -19 rules and regulations they follow and their importance to our industry. If you would like to put the poster in your local community, or share the social media posts we have developed, you are more than welcome to!

Poster

Social Media Graphic #1

Social Media Graphic #2

Social Media Graphic #3

Social Media Graphic #4