Provincial Government to Provide Compensation to Workers in COVID-19 Self-Isolation

  • Executive Council
  • Finance

March 14, 2020

In light of the ongoing and rapidly evolving situation regarding COVID-19, and in consultation with Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Newfoundland and Labrador, starting today anyone returning after travelling outside the country is required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days upon their return to Canada. This follows the advice that the Federal Government provided on Friday, March 13. Children who have travelled with their parents must also self-isolate for 14 days, rather than returning to school or daycare.

The Provincial Government will provide compensation to private sector employers to ensure continuation of pay for employees affected by this decision. Details on the required documentation and processes for reimbursement to private sector employers will be released in the coming days. Employees should retain documents regarding their travel (such as boarding passes) to facilitate reimbursement.

Provincial public sector employees affected by this decision will continue to be paid as usual.

Only those individuals who are scheduled to return to work within this period will be compensated. Anyone travelling outside of the country after today’s date will do so against public health advice, and will not be eligible for this compensation.

Any public service employee who enters self-isolation who has the ability to work from home is expected to do so.

Anyone who has travelled and returned to work prior to today’s announcement should continue working unless they begin showing symptoms, at which point they should self-isolate and contact 811 for further information.

We will continue to monitor and where necessary implement protocols required to contain the virus. For the most up-to-date information related to confirmed cases of COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.

Quotes
“Our number one priority in all decisions is the health and safety of the residents of this province. Today’s decision reflects our government’s commitment to flatten the curve so that we do not overwhelm our health care system. It also reflects an understanding among all provinces, territories and the Federal Government that no one should have to be concerned about job security and financial hardship should they require self-isolation.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“We all have a role to play to protect ourselves and the most vulnerable in our province, and reduce the spread of COVID-19. The measures we announced today will minimize the financial impacts on employers and employees in the province as we work together to address this pandemic.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board

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Media contacts
Jeremy Reynolds
Office of the Premier
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca


Marc Budgell
Finance
marcbudgell@gov.nl.ca

2020 03 14 7:25 pm