A planned maintenance turnaround at Imperial has been scaled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly reducing the number of contractors at the Sarnia site.
The turnaround has been readjusted to focus strictly on business-critical work, necessary for the company to meet customers' needs.
Imperial Public and Government Affairs Manager Kristina Zimmer said luckily their business continuity plans give them the ability to shift the timing of such projects.
"We certainly didn't take this decision lightly," said Zimmer. "But the priority at this time is the health and safety of our workforce as well as the broader community."
She said they were originally expecting about 1,100 contractors during the turnaround, but that has now been reduced by several hundred.
Zimmer said they are also taking additional steps to promote social distancing during the maintenance activity.
NOVA Chemicals said the fluid COVID-19 situation has not had a direct impact on business, operations or construction projects at its Corunna site.
Spokesperson Meaghan Lawrence said to reduce the risk of potential exposure, they have implemented travel restrictions, a work from home policy for non-site critical workers and contingency plans are in place should they need to be activated.