Two more Burnaby businesses have been temporarily closed after numerous COVID-19 cases were identified, including a local dance studio.
Fraser Health says Dance Collective (#202, 4199 Lougheed Hwy.) and West Coast Property Management (Unit 208 833 East Lake Dr.) were issued closure notices on May 14 and 12, 2021, respectively.
Robertson Electric in Burnaby was also shuttered on May 6, 2021.
On April 8, B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry implemented a new public health order that expedites temporary closures when three or more employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and transmission has been confirmed at the workplace.
It empowers WorkSafeBC to issue the closure order for 10 days or longer and work with businesses to review and enhance their COVID-19 safety plans. In larger workplaces like construction sites, the closure may only affect one area or team.
Public health will assess whether essential workplaces like fire halls, grocery stores and pharmacies should remain open, but they will be supported in other ways, she told a news conference.
The strategy aims to avoid sector-wide closures, which Henry said are "really a blunt tool" for combating infections.
"In these ways, we can keep people working safely and augment the measures already in place," she said.
It's also directed that workplace closures be posted publicly on health authority websites.
- with files from The Canadian Press
