Farms & International Agriculture Workers

Case and Contact Management and Outbreak Guidance

Please review the following guidance documents from the Ministry of Ontario:

• Outbreak Guidance: Workplace and Living Settings for Seasonal International Agriculture Workers (IAWs).
• Case Definitions and Disease-Specific Information.
• Recommendations for Outbreak Prevention and Control in Institutions and Congregate Living Settings, 2024.

Key Updates to Outbreak Guidance

Individuals who test positive 

• Symptomatic cases: isolate for 5 days. Isolation may end after 5 days provided the worker has no fever and symptoms are improving for 24 hours OR 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms are present.
• Asymptomatic cases: end isolation period after 5 days from their positive test result
• For both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, continue wearing a well-fitted mask for 10 days after symptom onset or positive test (whichever is earlier).
• Within the shared accommodation, maintain physical distancing when masks are removed for eating, sleeping, other essential activities.
• Third party health checks for IAWs continues to be recommended.

Close contacts of a suspect or confirmed case

For close contacts of individuals who are a suspect or confirmed case, including those in an employer-provided living setting, they should:

• Self monitor for any symptoms for 10 days after their last exposure and seek testing if they develop symptoms of COVID-19.
• Continue to wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings and avoid non-essential activities where mask removal is necessary (e.g. dining out where masks cannot be worn)
• Within the shared accommodation, maintain physical distancing when masks are removed for eating, sleeping, and other essential activities.
• Third party health checks for IAWs continues to be recommended.

Outbreak declaration criteria

• Single positive case is a suspect outbreak.
• Two or more cases with epidemiological link among residents of employer-provided housing is a confirmed outbreak.

Vaccination

The COVID-19 vaccine is free to anyone living in Ontario, including international agriculture workers.

Employers of international agriculture workers play an important role in ensuring that workers are educated about the COVID-19 vaccine and are supported to receive it.

Health Information & Resources for Workers

• Mental Health
  • Local mental health supports available for Ontario Agricultural Workers. Please print, post, and share the following posters:
    • Windsor Essex Posters – English | Spanish
  • OHCOW videos provide more details about key sections in the posters.
  • CPP e IIPSOCULTA Psychological Support for Spanish Speaking Farm Workers – Poster | Employers | Workers
• Fact Sheets
  • Public Health Ontario Multilingual Resources
• Videos
  • Primary Health Care and Mental Health Supports – English | Spanish
  • Health and Safety Rights and Responsibilities – English | Spanish

The Public Health Agency of Canada has materials available in several languages, call 1-833-784-4397 or email phac.covid19.aspc@canada.ca