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Last update to this page: March 20, 2020

While the association is not a health authority and is therefore not in a position to make definitive recommendations, given the circumstances CHBA has put together the following Draft Guidelines for Operating During COVID-19 for our members. This is a living document, open for discussion and input from members across the country who are on jobsites and adjusting their business practices to follow the recommendations and requirements of their local health authorities, while also finding innovative ways to be most efficient, productive and safe. If you have any feedback or contributions you’d like to make – whether it’s something different your company is doing or challenges you’re facing that need to be addressed – please email it to communications@chba.ca.

On the Jobsite

Social Distancing
Health Authorities are currently recommending social distancing as much as possible. On the jobsite, consider:

  • Anyone with symptoms or who has been exposed to the virus should not come to work
  • Anyone who has been out of the country must self-quarantine for 14 days, regardless of whether or not they’re showing symptoms
  • Staggering shifts, breaks, and lunch breaks to minimize the number of people in one area
  • Limiting how many people are on the site at one time
  • When possible, have shipments and deliveries dropped off, avoiding personal contact. If a signature is needed, use your own pen.
  • Wear gloves as often as possible.
  • For residential renovations where homeowners are still occupying the home, consider having clear space boundaries (dedicated washroom, crew does not enter certain areas, homeowners stay out of renovation zone even after hours, etc.).


Health and Sanitation

  • Provide more handwashing stations and encourage frequent handwashing
  • Don’t share personal protective equipment (PPE) and limit sharing of tools and equipment when possible
  • Sanitize equipment (personal and shared), washrooms, and other shared facilities often, especially areas that are most likely to be handled
  • For home renovations, wash hands often and sanitize common elements regularly.

In the Office

Social Distancing
Most provinces and municipalities now have recommendations that any employees who can work from home should do so.

  • Those who can work from home should
  • Anyone with symptoms or who has been exposed to the virus should not come to work
  • Anyone who has been out of the country must self-quarantine for 14 days, regardless of whether or not they’re showing symptoms
  • Consider staggering shifts, breaks and lunch breaks to minimize the number of people who may be using communal facilities at one time
  • Workstations should be spread out as much as possible
  • Lunch breaks staggered or taken at the employees’ workspace rather than in a communal lunchroom


Health and Sanitation

  • Office equipment such as phones, keyboards, and desks should be sanitized regularly
  • Communal areas (kitchens, bathrooms, hallways) should be sanitized regularly, including door handles and faucets
  • Make hand sanitizer widely available
  • Consider temporarily stopping non-essential mail and deliveries, or have a drop-off location for shipments to avoid contact with delivery personnel as much as possible

With the Public (Sales and Design Centers, Show Home)

Some areas of Canada have mandated the closure of non-essential public spaces. Make sure to check your municipality or province to see if sales and design centers, show homes, etc. can stay open at this time. If you are still allowed to operate and wish to, consider the following measures.

Social Distancing

  • Limit the number of staff and visitors who can enter at one time; consider by-appointment-only visits
  • Anyone with symptoms or who has been exposed to the virus should not come to work
  • Anyone who has been out of the country must self-quarantine for 14 days, regardless of whether or not they’re showing symptoms
  • Consider staggering staff shifts, breaks and lunch breaks to minimize the number of people who may be using communal facilities at one time
  • Limit person-to-person exchange of items like brochures
  • Limit person-to-person exchange of credit cards; use tap when available

Health and Sanitation

  • Equipment such as phones, keyboards, and desks should be sanitized regularly
  • Communal areas (kitchens, bathrooms, hallways) should be sanitized regularly, including door handles and faucets
  • Make hand sanitizer widely available, especially at entrances as people come in
  • Consider sharing the sanitation measures you’re taking as a company (to your website, social media, onsite at the show home, etc.

Follow Workplace Best Practices

At this time, Health Authorities advise that companies maintain social distancing as much as possible. However, if you still have people working in your workplace, below are some best practices to protect yourself and others from getting sick.