Province announces new strategy to prevent COVID farm transmission
The province has unveiled a new strategy in the fight against COVID-19 outbreaks on farm operations, including 35 “recommended” actions aimed at prevention and control.
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman announced the joint government-industry plan on Monday during a stop at Kingsville's Mastronardi Produce/sunset Produce.
The agribusiness sector has been hard hit by the coronavirus, with numerous outbreaks at agri-food industries in Leamington and Kingsville, and the death of two migrant workers earlier this year.
“Our government understands the impact COVID-19 outbreaks have had on farm workers, farms, greenhouses and agribusinesses,” Hardeman said. “Ontario's agrifood sector has worked hard to address a difficult situation, and our new strategy will help them to be even more effective in controlling this pandemic, protect(ing) our food supply chain and keep(ing) workers safe.”
Hardeman said governments at all levels, stakeholder organizations, farmers and workers have a role to play in preventing and controlling COVID-19 outbreaks on farms.
The Prevention, Control and Outbreak Support Strategy for COVID-19 in Ontario's Farm Workers outlines 35 recommended actions based on three pillars related to prevention and containment, measures that can be taken before workers arrive on a farm, once they're on the farm and those that address farm worker housing.
The strategy recommends implementation of engineering controls, active training by government officials, daily screening of workers and visitors, use of personal protective equipment and other barriers, the establishment of cohorts, limiting of movement between farm operations and full cleaning and sanitizing of workplaces.
According to the plan, government and industry have committed to develop “culturally-specific materials for the workforce that address testing stigmas, ensure easy access to testing … (and) provide assurances that their healthcare needs will be met without costs.”
Congregate living is addressed with a commitment to ensure appropriate cleaning and disinfection of common spaces, as well as the establishment of a joint government/industry “working group to focus on immediate housing pressures” that will collect data on living arrangements and “identify high impact changes that maximize benefits to workers' health and reduce risk of COVID-19 exposure.”
The strategy also recommends the adoption of “an improved process in Ontario for the 2021 season, whereby incoming workers are screened for COVID-19, provided with health checks and Covid-19-related information on public health best practices, and quarantined.”
The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association all support the initiative.
“We respect and appreciate the efforts of the government, industry stakeholders and farm employers to protect the health and safety of our workers,” said Keith Currie, OFA president. “It is our top priority, and by taking the proper steps to reduce the risk of COVID-19 on farms, the agri-food sector can focus on maintaining a strong and reliable food value chain for all Ontarians.”
“Taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to mitigation and management of the COVID-19 crisis, along with immediate and longer-term support initiatives, is the most effective way to ensure a sustainable domestic food system,” said Justine Taylor, spokeswoman for the OGVG.
Medical officer of health Dr. Wajid Ahmed said during his regular briefing Monday that the Windsor-essex County Health Unit is working with a farm that is currently experiencing an outbreak.
“There are a number of issues we are trying to address to prevent the spread at this time,” Ahmed said. “But just like any other businesses, there are things they could have done better.”
He said following public health guidelines “should happen more proactively.”
Ahmed said one of the common concerns identified when working with farms is what happens after working hours.
Early in the pandemic, Ahmed ordered farm operators to cohort workers who live together and to supply employees with soap, water and alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and make sure work environments are being cleaned.
He also asked employers to obtain “a good screening tool,” which would allow them “to pick up any early symptomatic individuals and self-isolate them.”