COVID-19: Pregnant and Breastfeeding Workers - Preventive Measures in the Workplace
This is a supplement to the document COVID-19 (SRAS-CoV-2) : Recommandations intérimaires sur les mesures de prévention en milieux de travail pour les travailleuses enceintes ou qui allaitent version 3.0, July 13, 2020. [in French only]
In Québec, a worker who is pregnant or breastfeeding may avail herself of a preventive reassignment as outlined in the For a Safe Maternity Experience program set out by the Act respecting occupational health and safety (RLRQ c S-2.1, articles 40 and 46).
This version 3.0 of recommendations for pregnant and breastfeeding workers has been created in the ongoing context of the SARS-CoV-2 virus circulating in Québec and the resumption of professional activities, and in the context of lockdown lifting and lockdown.
Context
- Since December 31, 2019, the outbreak of acute respiratory infections and atypical pneumonias caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has developed rapidly.
- On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the outbreak as a pandemic.
- On March 13, 2020, Québec declared a public health emergency.
- On March 25, 2020, only essential services remained open in Québec.
- On April 4, 2020, the national director of public health announced community transmission in all regions of Quebec.
- On April 15, 2020, the national director of public health allowed gradual reopening of certain economic sectors depending on the regional epidemiology of the disease COVID-19.
In the current phase of lockdown lifting and the possible resumption of lockdown, workplace recommendations are those issued by public health authorities: clients and work colleagues must respect physical distancing and other prevention measures and must follow all procedures when symptoms are present, in isolation or at the onset of a workplace outbreak.
Given that there is no effective vaccine or specific treatment for COVID-19, as of the writing of this document, the public health measures are tools that are available to reduce occurrence of the illness, prevent outbreak centres and overburdening healthcare services, and protect vulnerable populations in a more specific way. Applying the For a Safe Maternity Experience program is one of these workplace measures meant to protect pregnant workers, children they are carrying and children being breastfed.
Latest update in French: December 23, 2021.