COVID-19 update for correctional employees: April 8, 2020

This content is a message to Correctional Service Canada (CSC) staff from CSC's Commissioner.

Correctional Service Canada (CSC) is continuing to take exceptional measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in institutions and limit the risk to:

• staff
• contractors, and
• offenders

Recognizing there is growing evidence that asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic people can spread COVID-19, critical staff and contractors will begin wearing masks when they are required to be within two metres of another person, including:

• offenders
• other staff, and
• contractors

The masks will help minimize the spread of COVID-19 if a person is ill, but does not yet realize it.

Taking into consideration infection and prevention principles, guidance has been provided to critical staff on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes:

• how to properly wear a mask without excessively touching or manipulating it
• proper hand hygiene, including before and after removing a mask; and
• measures to extend the use and reuse of masks, including safe storage

Guidance has also been provided on additional PPE requirements when within two metres of an inmate with COVID-19 symptoms or diagnosis. In addition to this direction, additional measures are taken on a case-by-case basis in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak.

CSC is closely monitoring current PPE inventory and continues to order equipment to maintain an adequate supply for:

• staff
• contractors, and
• offenders

CSC is also taking efforts to safely conserve PPE and reuse them, where suitable.

CSC will continue to keep you up to date on the measures we are taking to ensure our institutions, employees, contractors and offenders remain safe. Thank you for your ongoing collaboration.