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

Updated March 26, 2021

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.ca Perennia’s COVID-19 webpage

Kyla Pierik
Cell phone: 902-698-6873
Email: kpierik@perennia.ca and co copy tfw@perennia.ca

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

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

Required Documentation for Submission

The employer is responsible for completing a checklist for each location where the Temporary Foreign Workers are completing the isolation period for each flight. Regardless of the type of facility, the employer is responsible for submitting the checklist to Perennia, along with photographs, prior to the arrival of each group of workers. Perennia will share the submitted documents with the appropriate government officials.

The checklists required are provided in a PDF format. Remember, a checklist is required for each housing unit/facility and for each arrival date of workers.

Perennia has created best practices guides to help you complete your checklist:

Workers Preparing to Come to Nova Scotia

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 not permitted to work during isolation. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure arrangements are made so that workers have food and cleaning supplies throughout the isolation period without leaving the facilities.

Workers are required to complete the self-assessment using the COVID-19 Health Screening Form. 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 must also complete their daily check-in through the ArriveCAN app or by calling 1-833-641-0343.

Employers will also receive a call each week of the isolation period from Perennia. The purpose of this call is to determine whether further support is needed and to confirm all is going well.

You and your workers may also receive an Integrity Audit from the Integrity Division of ESDC. The NSFA and Perennia are not involved in this process but are aware that they happen.

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.

Funding Supports

Provincial Funding Programs

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Agriculture Response Program

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Emergency On-Farm Support Fund 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

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

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