OFT COVID-19 Response Updates Effective March 31st, 2020

Ontario Food Terminal Board Bulletin 1885

Ontario Food Terminal Board
Date: March 31, 2020
Bulletin: 1885
To: All Tenants and Buyers
Re: Temperature screening
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On Wednesday, April 1, we will start a phased launch of our new temperature screening program beginning
with all buyers and truckers entering the Terminal. This is an additional step in our widespread efforts to
keep people safe and keep the Ontario Food Terminal operating during these extraordinary times.
Why are we temperature screening?
COVID-19 is serious and we know that it is now also spreading in the community and no longer just
associated with international travel.
Public health officials have stated that body temperatures above 38C pose a risk. Temperature screening
provides an extra layer of protection for you and your employees, especially in situations where someone
may not be aware that they have a fever or who still chooses to come into work. It’s a tool that’s
increasingly being used around the world in the fight against COVID-19.
We recognize this step is an inconvenience, but we cannot overstate enough how important it is that we take
all measures possible to keep people safe and reduce the risk of disease spread. It’s also critical to the ability
of the Ontario Food Terminal to continue operations serving our sellers and buyers as essential businesses.
What is the procedure for taking temperatures and is it safe?
We have hired a specialized company with well-trained staff in the use of First Aid, AED and human body
temperature reading. These staff will conduct the temperature checks. The thermometers are non-touch
Infrared FLIR cameras that are highly reliable in spotting temperature anomalies. They are non-touch
devices that are held close to the forehead but make no physical contact. All temperature screeners will be
wearing masks, gloves, glasses and protective suits and following public health guidelines for best practices.
We are not recording individual temperatures. Personal confidentiality will be maintained.
What happens if a person tested has a temperature over 38C?
If an individual seeking entry to the OFT is found with a temperature reading of over 38C, a second
temperature measurement will be taken. If both readings are over 38C, that individual will not be allowed to
enter the Terminal and will be advised to contact Toronto Public Health (416-338-7600), Telehealth Ontario
(1-866-797-0000) or their primary health care provider for further screening.
The presence of a fever is not a diagnosis of COVID-19 as a fever could be due to other underlying factors, but it is a risk factor that cannot be ignored. Similarly, a person could have no fever but still have the COVID-19 virus in an asymptomatic form and so all other protocols must be strictly observed after entry.

What if a person declines to have their temperature taken?
Individuals may decline to have their temperature taken but they will not be permitted on the premises of the OFT in that case. An exception will be made for any individual that has their own temperature reading device, such as a thermometer, and is able to acceptably demonstrate that their temperature is within the normal range. For our full COVID-19 protocol, visit www.oftb.com/covid-19 Questions about this protocol? Call us (416) 259-5479 or info@oftb.com

Ontario Food Terminal Board
Date: March 31, 2020

Bulletin: 1886
To: CFIG Members & Employees
From: I. B. Nicholas
Re: Ontario Food Terminal – Covid-19 – Media Inquiry Response from Kenneth W. Knox, Chair

In line with Public Health Protocols, the Terminal has aggressive COVID-19 protocols and contingency plans in place and remains open for wholesale buyers.

The Ontario Food Terminal received notification on Saturday night from two warehouse tenants of one confirmed and one presumptive (TBC) case of COVID-19 among their employees.
• Neither of the affected employees have been on site at their respective warehouses since March 19, more than 13
days ago
• Toronto Public Health has been notified. All people that worked directly with these employees were notified
immediately and asked to self-isolate as per public health protocols.
• The Terminal took the additional step and notified all wholesale tenants so that they could take any additional actions necessary
• Upon being notified of these cases, the Terminal took immediate action across the terminal and has taken steps to protect employees and the food supply by temporarily closing affected warehouse units for deep cleaning as well as deep cleaning the common areas
• As the Terminal is a zoned environment, operations remain largely unaffected aside from the two vendor warehouses which have undergone a deep clean. The affected wholesalers have completed a deep clean, as per
Public Health instructions
• This is in addition to sanitizing and cleaning protocols that have been in place since the onset of the virus
• These are companies that operate within the terminal and they have taken all appropriate steps in response to COVID-19
• There was no identified risk to the public Protocols in place include:
• The terminal is not open to the public, and each employee or buyer is asked a series of screening questions upon entry
• Dividing market into zones to provide additional distancing measures
• Buyers stay at their truck, minimizing movement around the terminal grounds
• Each warehouse has designated separate ‘runners’ who do not enter the store and who deliver to the buyer’s truck
• Enhanced cleaning and sanitizing processes have been implemented and continue to be in place
As the Terminal is a wholesale facility, it is not open to the public, but continues to operate and all necessary steps have been completed in response. I expect that this provides you with sufficient information.

Kenneth W. Knox
Chair, Ontario Food Terminal Board