Quebec is creating a new program (known as the Programme d’aide temporaire) for employees who must self-isolate but are not eligible for the employment-insurance benefits from Ottawa or compensated by their employers or private insurance. These Quebecers will be eligible for up to $573 per week for 14 weeks of self-isolation, the provincial government said.
The program is aimed at people who have contracted COVID-19 or show symptoms, have been in contact with an infected person or are coming back from a foreign country.
Financial assistance will be paid by bank transfer or prepaid card. This operation will be carried out with the collaboration of the Red Cross.
Information on the details of PATT COVID-19 and the eligibility conditions can be found here (in french only).
In addition, employers are encouraged to be flexible in their employees’ work schedules, for example, to limit crowds in public transit during peak hours.
In order to avoid clogging hospitals, the Government of Quebec asks employers not to ask their employees for doctor’s notes to be placed in voluntary isolation.
Where possible, employers are also encouraged to encourage teleworking for their employees.
Companies that deliver goods to Quebec from abroad do not have to ask their employees to place themselves in temporary segregation.
Companies that employ more than 250 people are not subject to the ban on indoor gatherings and can continue to operate.
Mandatory isolation for certain public employees
The government has declared mandatory isolation of 14 days for all employees in the public service and for all health, education and childcare personnel, private and public, who returned from abroad on March 12, 2020, or in the subsequent days. All other employees who have travelled and returned from abroad on March 12, 2020, or in the following days must voluntarily self-isolate.
Persons returning from a stay outside of Canada who are in quarantine at home must follow the instructions described below. They should stay at home and:
- Not go to school, work, daycare or any public place;
- Not use public transport;
- Postpone any non-urgent medical appointment; and
- Not welcome visitors to the house.
Directives issued by government authorities should be followed by the employer to limit the risk of the spread of COVID-19 within the company.
- the closure of retail commercial establishments (including grocery stores) on Sundays; and
- pharmacies, grocery stores and certain establishments providing pharmacy and grocery services to extend their operating hours from Monday to Saturday to meet customer needs.
