The Ontario government says it’s introducing new protections this week for workers who are required to take unpaid leave during self-isolation or quarantine periods — including removing a requirement to obtain doctors’ notes.

Meanwhile, the province says it’s asking hospitals to scale back elective surgeries in order to retain capacity for managing the COVID-19 outbreak.

In a statement issued Sunday, Premier Doug Ford said he had directed government to draft legislation responding to the COVID-19 outbreak that will include measures to ensure employers provide “protected leave.”

“Our government is protecting workers so they can focus on their own health, and the health of their families and communities, without fear of losing their jobs,” the premier said.

Ford has tasked Labour Minister Monte McNaughton with stickhandling legislation this week — in an emergency session of the legislature, which will be recalled during March break — ensuring workers get paid even if they are in isolation or quarantine.

“My number one priority as minister has been the health and safety of workers in Ontario,” McNaughton said on Twitter Sunday.

“Anyone who needs to take precautions because of COVID-19 shouldn’t have to worry about losing their job,” he said.

Opposition leader Andrea Horwath said the New Democrats “will be co-operating to draft and pass a bill to help people in Ontario weather the storm.”

“I’m pleased that the government is now drafting emergency legislation to help Ontarians cope with the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

The new measures will apply both to employees who are in self-isolation or quarantine, or those who are providing care to others. Ontario has reported 142 COVID-19 cases as of Sunday evening.

Ivana Yelich, the premier’s spokesperson, did not say whether the legislation would include any provisions for paid leave.

“The NDP will be working hard to ensure the emergency legislation helps people take time off work without losing a paycheque,” Horwath said.

“We want to ensure no one faces consequences for missing a rent or mortgage payment through no fault of their own.”

On Sunday, Ontario’s health minister also announced plans to limit elective surgeries across the province’s hospitals to “preserve capacity as cases of COVID-19 continue to grow in Ontario.”

The move comes following consultations with the Ontario Hospital Association and is supported by the province’s chief medical officer, the province said in a statement Sunday.

As part of their pandemic planning, hospitals will be asked to start “carefully ramping down elective surgeries and other non-emergent clinical activity.”

Health minister Christine Elliot said the province has been “diligently monitoring and taking decisive action to contain the spread of this new virus.”

“We must also carefully consider how to best maximize resource and prioritize services.”

Deena Ladd of the Toronto-based Workers’ Action Centre said waiving doctors’ notes requirements was “very important so that we’re not clogging up hospitals and emergency rooms and walk-in clinics.”

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But she said the measure alone was “absolutely not” sufficient.

“Most workers go paycheque to paycheque. For low-wage workers it’s even more intense because most don’t have drug and dental benefits. They don’t have paid sick days. And then they’re losing their income,” she said.

Worker advocates have called for Ontario to implement 14 paid sick days for quarantines, and seven permanent paid sick days.

Previously, Ontario workers were entitled to 10 job-protected sick leave days, two of them paid, and were not required to provide doctors’ notes.

Those provisions were reversed by Ford’s government in 2018. Workers’ entitlements were reduced to three unpaid, job-protected sick days.

But the spread of COVID-19 — and its disproportionate impact on low-wage workers, many of whom cannot work from home — has sharpened policy-makers’ attention to workplace leave policies.

Steven Del Duca, the newly elected leader of Ontario’s Liberal Party said he was “pleased the government is taking a collaborative approach.”

“We will be studying the legislation closely and are hopeful the government will introduce paid leave along with a number of other measures because workers should not have to choose between paying their bills and self-isolation.”

Alberta’s provincial government announced new measures to provide workers with 14 job-protected sick days, and waive the requirement to provide doctors’ notes.

In the United States, Congress passed an emergency coronavirus bill Friday that includes a provision for two weeks of paid sick leave for some workers impacted by COVID-19.

Ladd said more measures were needed to help workers cope with the fallout of businesses and institutions shutting down, including an emergency relief fund for workers who do not have access to federally administered Employment Insurance.

“Additional details of our government’s ongoing efforts to support Ontario families during the difficult period ahead will be announced in the coming days,” the premier’s statement said.

“We look forward to working with the federal government on further measures to enhance financial support for businesses and workers.”

Senior Progressive Conservative officials said Sunday Ford will reassure Ontarians on Monday that stores will remain open.

Ford has been in constant contact with retailers and suppliers to ensure there are no shortages, said high-ranking insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal deliberations.

The premier is expected to emphasize that LCBO outlets will remain open as more and more Ontario residents are confined to their homes, sources said.

Finance Minister Rod Phillips will meet with reporters Monday at Queen’s Park. Phillips is expected to announce next steps for his March 25 budget, which is expected to be postponed or radically scaled back.

Robert Benzie is the Star’s Queen’s Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie

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