COVID-19 Safe Restart Plan

• Physical distancing measures – measures to reduce the density of people
• Engineering controls – physical barriers (like plexiglass at checkouts) or increased ventilation
• Administrative controls – clear rules and guidelines
• Personal protective equipment – like the use of non-medical masks

These modifications and controls, combined with the following measures, can reduce the risk of transmission.

• Create clear workplace policies that ensure people with cold or flu symptoms do not come to work
• Implement sick day policies that allow people to be off or work safely from home when they are ill or have symptoms of a cold or flu
• Provide work from home options, when possible, to reduce contact intensity. When it’s not an option, consider measures such as staggered shifts and virtual meetings as much as possible
• Implement strategies that reduce the number and intensity of contacts – from greater use of non-medical masks to more checkouts and increased shopping hours
• Clean “high-touch” areas in workplaces and retail outlets frequently and provide hand sanitizer at entrances
• Focus on higher-risk employees including those over the age of 60 and those with underlying medical conditions – from more flexible hours, to work from home options and workspace accommodation

Additional measures specific to various organizational settings are being developed. More will be created as various sectors are engaged and industry or sector wide norms are adopted and required.

Phase 1 as per Gov BC

Essential Services Operating During COVID-19

• Essential health and health services
• Law enforcement, public safety, first responders and emergency response personnel
• Vulnerable population service providers
• Critical infrastructure
• Food and agriculture service providers
• Transportation
• Industry and manufacturing
• Sanitation
• Communications and information technology
• Financial institutions
• Other non-health essential service providers

Industries that were designated as essential services developed safe operation plans in consultation with WorkSafeBC and in compliance with the public health orders issued by the Provincial Health Officer.

As a result, B.C.’s economy has continued to operate in ways other provinces haven’t. But it’s undeniable that local businesses have suffered.

Many businesses closed for other reasons, including reduced demand, such as in the retail, hospitality and export industries. Others closed to do their part in helping to flatten the curve, protecting their customers and employees.

To help these businesses and other organizations get back on their feet, we need workplace practices that ensure British Columbians feel safe, whether they are returning to work or going out as a customer. That means employers will need to engage with their employees to find the right solutions and consider the concerns and needs of their customers.

Phase 2

Mid-May onwards

• Restoration of health services
• Re-scheduling elective surgery
• Medically related services:
• Dentistry, physiotherapy, registered massage therapy, and chiropractors
• Physical therapy, speech therapy, and similar services
• Retail sector
• Hair salons, barbers, and other personal service establishments
• In-person counselling
• Restaurants, cafes, and pubs (with sufficient distancing measures)
• Museums, art galleries, and libraries
• Office-based worksites
• Recreation and sports
• Parks, beaches, and outdoor spaces
• Child care

Non compliance of government provided guidelines:

• Fines up to $25,000
•  Jail time and business closures

Summit Financial Specific Guidelines for Opening

Regular office hours are 8:30-4:30pm, starting May 18/2020 8:30am – 4pm. Our office will be open during this time with full staffing, starting July 6/2020. Until this date our downstairs front door will remain locked.

The office manager will ensure the stairwell door (front entrance) and office door will be propped open during the day.

Appointments and in person meetings:

Appointments can be scheduled at any time during business hours. Advisors can have meetings in the board room or their office. Signing room will not be used as the space doesn’t allow for safe social distancing. A maximum of 2 appointments at the same time encouraged. Virtual meetings are still strongly encouraged, option is also to have outside meetings.

All appointments and drop ins need to be communicated with the office manager and added to the appointment book. This book will be on the desk for all staff to check.

Steps to safeguard our clients:

• Clients enter the office through the main door, hand sanitizer will be used upon entering the building downstairs. They will have the option to use hand sanitizer should they wish when entering the office. (Garbage cans are provided in case they use wipes)
  • Place markings on the floor directing visitors where to stand when approaching front desk.
  • Handshakes and any form of physical contact are discouraged. 
  • 6ft social distancing will be applied as much as possible.
  • All objects touched by the clients need to be wiped down with the provided Lysol wipes.
  • Summit pens will be made available in the board room, clients can use them and take them home after using them.
  • Board room will be sanitized by the office manager (or advisor or assistant) after all meetings. A tub of wipes will be in the boardroom for this purpose.
  • The signing room will not be used.
    • Clients are not welcome in our office to visit, they are welcome a few minutes before their appointment. And will be asked to come into the office at the time of their appointment, this way we can reduce office exposure to outside contaminants.
    • The office manager will appoint seating to the clients in the waiting area
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      • Clients will not be offered coffee, tea or water at this time. Bottled water will be offered.
        • Please follow the communal pathway through the office (one way)
          • All staff are provided with hand sanitizer.
          • Non-essential communal items, such as candy, magazines, and complimentary phone chargers will be removed from the reception area.

Steps to safeguard our staff:

• Staff are advised to remain 6ft apart at all times if possible. 
• Please follow the communal pathway through the office (one way)
• Please be patient with each other and allow space for others to leave small communal spaces. It is advised to allow 1 person at a time in small spaces like the computer room, kitchen. 
• If you are unsure, please your common sense.
• It is advised to limit the number of people in communal spaces like board room if at all possible.
• Lunch can be taken in your office to maintain physical distancing, if desired. 
• Please wipe down your chair and space when finishing up lunch or when using the board room 
• A tub of Lysol wipes will be provided in the board room 
• Wash hands thoroughly before and after using the board room and wash rooms. 
• If any specific guidelines are in effect for a specific work unit, please inform the rest of the office so we can assist and safeguard those measures. 
• Masks can be worn if desired. 
• Please use your common sense!

Deliveries and courier

• Delivery zones are clearly identified: Deliveries will be dropped off in the reception area 
• Request contactless delivery to maintain physical distancing requirement. This option may be limited if signing or proof of receipt is required.

Elevator Use

• Post occupancy limits on elevators, max of 1 person unless it is a party.
• Ensure adequate space is provided for those exiting the elevator.
• Ensure elevator panels are routinely disinfected.

Cleaning procedures

• Sanitizer will be provided upon entering the building downstairs; please refrain from using touching objects unnecessarily.
• The front door of the office (main upstairs office) will remain open all day to minimize handling as well as the stairwell door. 
• All door handles (including washrooms, downstairs main door) of common spaces will be cleaned by the office manager on set times: before opening, before and after lunch time and at the end of the day at closing time and on an as needed basis 
• Common spaces: reception area, kitchen, signing room and meeting room will be cleaned thoroughly a few times throughout the day to reduce contamination: before opening, before and after lunch time and at the end of the day at closing time. Board room will have a reminder to wipe up after yourself (table and chair) 
• All staff need to wash hands thoroughly when coming into the office in the morning, after washroom breaks always use hand sanitizer. 
• Posters will be provided and hung up in the bathrooms to wash hands.

Ways of communication with the Staff at Summit Financial

Communication with the staff will be taking place via email and staff meetings if possible. Subject line with state “COVID 19 – UPDATE” and will be discussed during staff meetings. This plan will be updated as we progress. Changes will be communicated with all staff.

Specific symptoms of Covid 19: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and painful swallowing, must self-isolate at home for a minimum of 10 days (preferred 14 days and monitor symptoms)

The Self assessment tool can be used to determine whether additional care and treatment is required: The BC COVID-19 Self-assessment tool

Steps to take when staff start feeling ill when at work:

Please contact your emergency contact or significant other. Depending on how ill this person feels or seems, organize a ride for the worker to their home or the hospital