Frequently Asked Questions
(Updated March 27, 2020)
With the COVID-19 situation continuing to develop across the province, we have established new protocols and directives to keep our people healthy and ensure safe operations. These protocols are based on the guidelines set out by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Illness, Self-monitoring, and Self-Isolation
Hygiene and Cleanliness
Support and Security
Illness, self-monitoring, and self-isolation
I am hearing a lot of different terms, such as self-monitoring, self-isolation, and isolation. What do these mean?
Self-Monitoring
- Self-Monitoring means looking for new symptoms or signs of coronavirus infection such as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. During self-montoring, one should avoid crowded places and practice physical distancing
- Employees who are self-monitoring are permitted to work either on site or remotely, according to mission needs
Self-Isolation
- Self-Isolation means staying at home and avoiding physical contact with others. Self-isolation is required for one of the following reasons:
- International travel within the last 14 days
- You have come into close contact with someone suspected or confirmed for having COVID-19, and were unable to take proper precautions noted below
- You have developed symptoms consistent with those described by the BC Centre for Disease Control (CDC)
- Employees who are self-isolating will generally be capable of working remotely
Isolation
- Self-Isolation means staying at home and avoiding physical contact with others. Isolation is required when someone is likely or confirmed to be sick with COVID-19
- Those in isolation must remain home; they are sick and therefore not to be working
For more information about these terms, please see: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/publications/diseases-conditions/know-difference-self-monitoring-isolation-covid-19/know-difference-self-monitoring-isolation-covid-19-eng.pdf
For information about isolation: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/covid-19-how-to-isolate-at-home.html
I feel sick, what do I do?
If you are feeling sick with flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, or difficulty breathing), please contact your supervisor and stay home. At this time, we are waiving the need for a doctor’s note for an extended leave from work.
I live with someone who is sick, what do I do?
Ideally the person who is ill should be self-isolating somewhere else, especially if anyone in the household is at risk (elderly, weak immune system, chronic health condition). If this is not possible, then there are precautions that must be taken:
Ensure the self-isolating person stays and sleeps in a room that is away from others, the farther the better
If possible, they should use a separate bathroom
Avoid face to face contact – they should not share space with household members unless they are wearing a face mask
If you can comply with these precautions, you do not need to self-isolate, but rather self-monitor for symptoms. Please contact your supervisor to let them know you are self-monitoring.
If the above precautions cannot be taken, then you will need to self-isolate for 14 days. Furthermore, should you develop any symptoms, you will also need to self-isolate for 14 days. In either circumstance, please contact your supervisor to inform them of the situation.
I live with a household member who is in a medically vulnerable group, what should I do?
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) at this time recommends that you should self-monitor, watch for symptoms (fever, cough, and difficulty breathing), and go about your day but avoid crowded places. If you develop symptoms then you must fully isolate yourself and avoid all contact with other household members, including limiting shared spaces and items, which may be points for cross-contamination.
PHAC Guidance for Vulnerable Populations and COVID-19 is available here:
I live with someone who has had to self-isolate due to travel, what do I do?
If you are symptom-free, and proper precautions are taken for the self-isolating individual, you will need to self-monitor and look for new symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and difficulty breathing.
The precautions for the self-isolating individual include:
Ensure the self-isolating person stays and sleeps in a room that is away from others, the further the better
If possible, they should use a separate bathroom
Avoid face-to-face contact – they should not share space with household members unless they are wearing a face mask
Please contact your supervisor to let them know you are self-monitoring.
I am returning to work after self-isolation, what do I do?
If you are healthy, please contact your supervisor and notify Human Resources via yourhealth@triumf.ca to determine your return to work. TRIUMF may require you to work from home. Please discuss this with your supervisor.
My 14-day quarantine is over and I am still sick, what do I do?
For your own health, and the health of your community, please stay home and contact HealthLinkBC by dialing (8-1-1) or speak with your health care provider to determine when you can end your quarantine period.
How do I tell the difference between allergies and COVID-19 Symptoms?
Allergies typically cause nasal symptoms such as a runny nose and sinus congestion but do not usually result in a fever, as occurs with coronavirus or the flu. While some symptoms of the coronavirus overlap with allergies, there are several differences.
Common allergy symptoms include runny or stuffy nose, watery and itchy eyes, itchy sinuses, throat and ear canals, ear congestion and postnasal drainage.
The most common COVID-19 symptoms include fever, dry cough and shortness of breath.
Hygiene and Cleanliness
I’m concerned about germs. Do we have hand sanitizer on site?
Handwashing, using soap and water, is your best tool against germs and infection. We are also ordering and installing additional sanitizer dispensers on site, to supplement sinks and hand soap.
What is TRIUMF doing to limit exposure of staff?
TRIUMF has increased janitorial support to clean common spaces like meeting rooms and lunchrooms. As well, bottles of disinfectant have been made available around site for staff to use to disinfect surfaces in their work areas. Empty bottles can be left in Room 101 across from the Driver Control Room where janitorial services will refill them on their afternoon shift.
Should TRIUMF personnel be wearing N95 respirators at work?
An N95 respirator is a disposable respirator that must be fit-tested to ensure effective respiratory protection. Supplies of N95 respirators are scarce and authorities are looking to ensure there are sufficient respirators available for health care workers.
TRIUMF has reviewed the risk and will be issuing N95 masks to operators because the position is essential for machine operation. At this time, and with our limited supply of N95 masks, TRIUMF will not be issuing N95 masks to other work groups.
In the cases where the safe work distance of 1-2 m cannot be maintained, workers should wear their personal half-mask respirator or contact OHS, who can issue one for the task.
We are following the guidelines set out by Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) for limiting the spread of the virus. Further questions regarding protection in the workplace should be directed to OHS.
Are warm air dryers safe to use to dry your hands?
Warm air dryers will work just as well as paper towels once hands have been cleaned with soap and water. There’s no reason to not use them. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
Support and Security
What support can I expect from TRIUMF moving forward?
TRIUMF is committed to caring for its people, on site or off, whether we are operating or not. As we monitor the situation and adjust our protocols, the health and well-being of our community will remain a top priority.
If you have specific questions about your individual case, please reach out to yourhealth@triumf.ca.
I have concerns about my pay during self-isolation. What are my options?
TRIUMF is committed to supporting our employees during this time.
At this time, we can offer the following scenarios and guidance, and as things change, we will adjust our protocols accordingly.
For specific guidance on how to report illness please click here: https://www.triumf.ca/node/36020
FOR THOSE RETURNING FROM INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL WITHOUT SYMPTOMS:
I left for personal/professional travel BEFORE March 13 and am required to self-isolate. I AM able to work from home during my 14-day self-isolation.
Yes, you will continue to be paid. Please arrange for remote work with your supervisor.
I left for personal/professional travel BEFORE March 13 and am required to self-isolate. My work requires me to be onsite and I am not aware of remote work options during my 14-day self-isolation.
Yes, you will continue to be paid. Connect with your supervisor to discuss potential remote work options and expectations for your self-isolation period.
FOR THOSE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19 WITHOUT TRAVEL:
I am experiencing symptoms and am required to self-isolate. I AM able to work from home during my 14-day self-isolation.
Yes, you will be paid. If you feel healthy enough to work remotely, you will receive regular pay. If not, you will receive sick pay. In either case, please contact your supervisor.
I am experiencing symptoms and am required to self-isolate. My work requires me to be onsite and I am not aware of remote work options during my 14-day self-isolation.
Yes, you will be paid. If you feel healthy enough to work remotely, you will receive regular pay. If not, you will receive sick pay. In either case, please contact your supervisor.
I live with someone who is experiencing symptoms and I am unable to take the required precautions to limit contact, and therefore I need to self-isolate. I AM able to work from home during my 14-day self-isolation.
Yes, you will be paid. Please arrange for remote work with your supervisor.
I live with someone who is experiencing symptoms and I am unable to take the required precautions to limit contact, and therefore I need to self-isolate. My work requires me to be onsite and I am not aware of remote work options during my 14-day self-isolation.
Yes, you will be paid. Connect with your supervisor to discuss potential remote work options.