Covid-19 and Your Business: Live Updates
These updates have been moved here from our Covid-19 Small Business Survival Guide. We will be updating this story with important notices related to the impact of the Corona virus outbreak on Canadian small businesses.
March 17, 2020: CNN is reporting that Canada and the US are preparing to issue a joint statement closing the Canada / US border to non-essential travel. (learn more)
March 17, 2020: Alberta premier Jason Kenney has declared a State of Emergency in Alberta and is moving forward with aggressive measures to contain the virus related to social distancing measures. Any organized gathering of over 50 people including conferences, worship, family events and funerals. Albertans are prohibited from attending public recreation facilities and private entertainment facilities, including casinos, bingo halls, bars, theatres, children's play centres, and recreational / fitness / community facilities until further notice. Essential services as well as non-profit community supports such as soup kitchens and homeless shelters are exempt from the order. Sit down restaurants, bars and cafes (not including buffets) can remain open as long as they do not exceed the lower of either 50 people or 50% of their authorized capacity. The province is also immediately injecting $60 million and will be dispersed by March 31, 2020 to support vulnerable Albertans, which will be available to civil society organizations, charities and non-profits helping people under isolation.
March 17, 2020: Ontario Premier Doug Ford has declared a State of Emergency in Ontario and introduced a $300 million fund to . The State of Emergency's first proclamation bans organized events of over 50 people. The second closed all indoor recreational facilities, public libraries, private schools, licences childcare centres, theatres, cinemas and concert venues effective immediately until March 31, 2020. In addition, all bars and restaurants are closed except for the provision of takeout food and delivery. He emphasized that this is not a provincial shut-down and that the vast majority of businesses, including those vital to day-to-day life, will not be affected by this order. (watch the Premier's speech on CPAC starting at 45:45)
March 16, 2020: Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced plans to introduce changes to the Employment Standards Act that will protect i) workers from losing their jobs if quarantied or asked to self-isolate, and ii) parents who need to stay home to look after children who are out of school due to covid-19 related closures. Doctor's note requirements will also be removed for anyone in isolation at home due to covid-19 symptoms.
March 16, 2020: The Government of Canada has closed its borders to everyone except Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, US citizens and a few other exceptions such as diplomats or close family members of Canadian citizens / PRs. (watch the Prime Minister's remarks on CPAC starting at 48:50)
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