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Did you know some relocating assignees are not having to quarantine? However, they may not be able to do much anyway.
It hasn’t happened too much, but All Points has seen a small number of international assignees on work permits, not only be deemed essential workers, but essential workers that do not have to self-isolate for 14 days. This is a form of immigration status as decided by CBSA.
It makes sense that this status exists. You think of a nurse who works in Detroit and lives in Windsor. This type of exclusion from the 14-day self-isolation rule is imperative. It is imperative for people delivering goods and services over the border. It makes sense.
It might make less sense for someone who is taking a senior role at a manufacturing company, but apparently the distinction is there.
Can they use that extra fourteen days effectively?
Well that is a whole different kettle of social distancing. Can you get your Social Insurance Number? Or your health insurance, or driver’s license? The answer is no. Government offices (if they are consistently doing what they are telling us they are doing) are asking if someone has travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days. If they answer yes, then they are turned away. We have even had people turned away (reported to us) on day 14, asked to return on Day 15.
We have had reports of people being able to get their bank accounts, but in many instances, if we see that someone needs to set an appointment for a visit to the bank, they also ask these types of questions.
What about viewing homes?
That would be a useful thing to do with your extra fourteen days. But look at what one of our Realtor partners has shared with us. This is an online document that a Realtor must have his customers complete prior to visiting a listed property in Ontario. The first statement says it all.
After speaking to all parties attending the property, I confirm the following statements to be true:
– We have not travelled anywhere outside of Canada, or been in contact with anyone who has travelled outside of Canada, in the last 14 days.
– We have not experienced any of the following symptoms in the last 14 days: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing.
– We have not knowingly come into contact with anyone experiencing any of the following symptoms in the last 14 days: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing.
– We have not knowingly come into contact with anyone with a presumptive or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis in the last 14 days
Is there anything to be done for those who are exempt from quarantine?
As mentioned above, some banks will not question someone about whether they have quarantined enough, but as a company sponsor of that employee, the company probably wants their exposure to the local population to be minimal. If they are essential workers, they are probably needed at the office, and this is an excellent time to set onboarding in motion, if your office plans allow for that.
What about virtual services?
Hey – I have a whole topic on virtual destination services coming up! But yes, the groundwork can definitely be prepared for seeing those properties. An appointment can be set for day 15 after arrival to go into Services Canada and obtain one’s social insurance number. This is an excellent time for your destination services partner to collaborate on neighbourhood discovery, school discovery and sample home finding, including face-time visits to properties.
All is not lost, but All Points recommends caution when it comes to the arrival of essential workers that do not require self-isolation, and since they are essential, workplace work is the best use of their time.
