On July 26, 2024, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry rescinded all provincial orders related to COVID-19. As a result, WorkSafeBC is applying our claims policy to reflect the ending of the public health emergency for COVID-19. The end of the public health emergency means there is no longer a presumption that a COVID-19 infection is work-related. Claims submitted for COVID-19 contracted through a work-related exposure on or after July 26, 2024, will be adjudicated on a case-by-case basis, which is consistent with other communicable diseases. Please refer to our COVID-19 FAQs below for more detailed information.

We remain committed to making sure workers understand the support you can continue to access from us and what to do if you think you have a work-related case of COVID-19.

Helping you

Workers with an existing claim

We are continuing to pay wage-loss and pension benefits as scheduled.

You can submit health care expense reimbursements to us through our online services portal.

You will continue to receive important information about your claim, including benefit and treatment plan updates. If you have any questions, please contact the claims officer who is handling your claim, or our Claims Call Centre if you don't have an officer's contact info, for assistance.

View & submit claim information
A variety of online tools are available to view and submit information about a claim.

Workers looking to file a new claim

Workers can report a workplace injury or disease online or by phone. Please ensure that you also report your injury or disease to your employer and tell your treating physician that you will be making a claim to WorkSafeBC.

If you’ve had a work-related exposure to COVID-19, please refer to our COVID-19 claims FAQs below for information on when you should report an illness to WorkSafeBC.

Submitting and managing reviews

If you disagree with a decision made by WorkSafeBC on a claim, assessment, or health and safety enforcement matter, you can request a review of the decision from the Review Division.

At any time, the Workers’ Advisers Office (604.335.5931 or toll free at 1.800.663.4261) is available to provide assistance to workers who disagree with COVID-19 related claim decisions made by WorkSafeBC, and COVID-19 related prohibited action matters.

COVID-19 claims FAQs

The following FAQs will help you determine what should be reported.

When do I report a case of COVID-19 to WorkSafeBC?

Claims submitted for COVID-19 contracted through a work-related exposure are adjudicated on a case-by-case basis. WorkSafeBC will look at details such as whether the worker has a diagnosis of COVID-19, their symptoms, and their employment activities.

If you are not at greater risk than the general public of contracting the virus, you do not need to report it, however you are still welcome to do so and we will obtain and assess the evidence to determine if your claim meets the criteria.

Please note: As of July 26, 2024, the end of the public health emergency means there is no longer a presumption that the risk in the workplace is significantly greater for certain occupations than for others. Going forward, COVID-19 claims where the exposure occurred on or after July 26, 2024, will be adjudicated on the same basis as other contagious diseases.

When would catching seasonal influenza or COVID-19 be work-related?

As seasonal influenza and COVID-19 generally affect the community at large, they are generally treated as a public health issue rather than a disease stemming from the nature of a particular employment. The disease can be spread where people meet including but not limited to: workplaces, homes, schools, places of worship, social events, and sporting events. As these diseases are common in the public at large, claims for influenza and COVID-19 may not be compensable. Claims submitted for influenza and COVID-19 contracted through a work-related exposure are adjudicated on a case-by-case basis.

Does WorkSafeBC cover people for a quarantine or self-isolation period?

No. WorkSafeBC does not provide coverage for people who are symptom free even when quarantined, self-isolating, or sent home on a precautionary basis.

I am physically able to return to work but am concerned about risk of exposure to COVID-19 at my workplace. Can I stay on wage-loss benefits?

No. While it’s natural to be concerned about the risks of exposure, a generalized concern is not a sufficient reason not to return to work. We encourage you to speak to your employer to find out what measures have been put in place to reduce the risk of transmission.

If you are in a high-risk category owing to age or an underlying health condition, it may be possible for your employer to accommodate your concerns. If you still have health and safety concerns that you feel are not being adequately addressed by your employer, we suggest you call our Prevention Information Line, toll-free, at 1.888.621.7233.

I received the COVID-19 vaccine at my workplace and had an adverse reaction to it. Should I report it to WorkSafeBC?

An adverse reaction to a vaccine may be compensable if the adverse reaction resulted in injury and the vaccination was a mandatory requirement of your employment.