COVID-19 Resources for Farmers

If you are looking for info on Financial Relief and Essential Services please click here.

The COVID-19 crisis is challenging for everyone, including those involved with producing the food that goes to Canada’s tables. On this page, we outline many resources that farmers can use to better understand this situation and how it affects them.

As always, farmers should consult with their provincial board for more information on how to keep themselves, their families, and their employees safe and healthy and maintain best practices on the farm.

Food Safety

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has stated that there is currently no evidence that food is a likely source of transmission of the COVID-19 virus. The World Health Organization has issued precautionary recommendations including advice on the need for all Canadians to follow good hygiene practices during food handling and preparation, such as washing hands, cooking meat thoroughly and avoiding potential cross-contamination between cooked and uncooked foods.

See https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/topics/food-safety.html for more information about food safety at home.

Planning

Farmers are encouraged to develop a plan outlining what they will do if someone becomes ill with a suspected COVID-19 case at the workplace/home and communicate with their provincial board offices.

Please keep informed of any emergency measures placed by the community.

Everyone should follow physical distancing and good hygiene practices.

Protecting Yourself

Maintain minimum 2-meter distance between individuals on the farm (i.e. chick or feed deliveries) and limit employee gatherings.
In keeping with CFC’s on farm programs, continue to promote standard biosecurity practices on farm and at home.
Wash hands frequently.

WHAT TO DO WHEN PRODUCERS, FAMILY MEMBERS, OR EMPLOYEES TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19?

Self-isolate and stay away from your place of work. As your workplace includes your barns, you must have a contingency plan in place for replacement personnel to care for your birds.

Restrict access to potentially contaminated areas worked and ensure a comprehensive cleaning is performed.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’VE BEEN EXPOSED TO AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19?

Self-monitor. Avoid crowded places and increase your personal space from others. Consult your provincial board, as well as local health authorities for more information.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FEEL SICK?

Consult your provincial board, as well as local health authorities for more information.

Individuals with potential symptoms are expected to self-isolate for 14 days with the same conditions as individuals returning from travel outside of Canada.

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/self-monitoring-self-isolation-isolation-for-covid-19.html

Mental Health Support

The COVID-19 pandemic can cause stress and anxiety; it is disrupting to normal life for many people all at once. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has some great resources available if you are feeling unwell.

https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19#coping

Workplace Hygiene

Ensure workplaces are kept clean and hygienic:

Promote regular and through hand washing by employees, contractors and customers
Promote good respiratory hygiene in the workplace
For information on getting your workplace ready for COVID-19: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/getting-workplace-ready-for-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=359a81e7_6

Travel

Recently travelled outside of Canada?

Individuals are required to self-isolate for a 14-day period. Producers or other family members and employees may continue their daily work routine if they are able to meet the following conditions:

The traveller is able to self-isolate within the household i.e. lives in a separate bedroom for them to stay on their own.
The traveller has their own bathroom to use or a thorough cleaning of the bathroom is done after each use by the traveler.
The traveller does not prepare meals for the household and eats separately from everyone else.
All above conditions need to be met for the full 14-day self-isolation period.

See https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html for more information.

For more information about Self-monitoring, Self-isolation, and isolation, please refer to:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/self-monitoring-self-isolation-isolation-for-covid-19.html

Please notify your provincial board if any of this applies to you.

Note that some provinces have placed regulations to address provincial border crossings. Please refer to your own province or the province you are visiting for specific information.

Self-monitoring, Self-isolation, and isolation:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/self-monitoring-self-isolation-isolation-for-covid-19.html