COVID-19 Update and Resources
As we all continue to deal with the urgent impacts of COVID-19 and the potential health risks for your customers and staff, we wanted to be sure we could help keep you up to date...
Links to official information
Restrictions Exemption Program - September 2021
Please note: Starting September 20, in-scope businesses, entities and events must follow one of these 2 options:
Implement the Restrictions Exemption Program requiring proof of vaccination or negative test result, plus mandatory masking, to continue operating as usual, or
Comply with all public health restrictions as outlined in Order 44-2021
Mandatory restriction - Effective Sept. 20
Retail and shopping malls are not eligible for the Restrictions Exemption Program as public access is necessary for daily living. Therefore these restrictions apply:
Capacity restricted to 1/3 fire code occupancy.
Attendees must be with household members only, or 2 close contacts if they live alone.
For details please visit https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-public-health-actions.aspx
Government of Alberta's COVID-19 Informational Website:
The government of Alberta is posting all their COVID-19 related news and resources here. Please bookmark to view the latest announcements, as updates and changes can occur very fast: https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx
Government of Canada's COVID-19 Informational Website
The government of Canada is posting all their COVID-19 information and resources here.
Government of Canada's COVID-19 Webpage for Businesses & Employees
Information specifically targeted for business and employees can be found on this subpage:
Information relevant for ALSA members
Rent Relief for Alberta's Small Businesses
Summer Festivals and Events Cancelled
Pandemic Supports Available for Small Businesses - BusinessLink.ca
City of Edmonton and Calgary Economic Development Business Support Resources
In-Store Safety Measures You Can Take
List of Essential Services Permitted to Remain Open
Government of Canada's Support for Businesses
Wage subsidies, the Business Credit Availability Program, tax payment deferrals, and more:
Alberta's Mandatory Self-Isolation Rules
Effective March 25, law enforcement agencies have been granted full authority to enforce public health orders and issue fines to protect the health and safety of Albertans. View more info at: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=69918C41565BC-002C-269C-638E958E5912C37B
- Any individual who has travelled outside of Canada must go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from their return, plus an additional 10 days from the onset of any symptoms should they occur, whichever is longer. The same applies for anyone who has come into contact with someone with COVID-19.
- Any individual who exhibits any COVID-19 symptoms (below) must self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the start of their symptoms, or until the symptoms resolve, whichever is longer. Symptoms include: runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, shortness of breath.
Support for individual Albertans affected by COVID-19
The Alberta government will provide immediate financial relief to Alberta’s families and vulnerable populations affected by COVID-19. Albertans should be focused on their health and not worry about whether they can pay their bills. The government of Alberta has put a number of options in place for those struggling financially. The supports can be viewed at: https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-supports-for-albertans.aspx
Want to help in some way?
Effective March 24, The Alberta Emergency Management Agency Unsolicited Offers Program has been set up in response to growing offers of generosity from individuals and organizations to help with the challenges many Albertans are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those wanting to help can go to alberta.ca/COVID19offersprogram for more information.
WCB Premiums
Effective March 23, Alberta has announced that small, medium and large private sector employers can defer WCB premiums until early 2021. View news release: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=699045A66118C-FA03-F4F5-959455E3316B8564
Changes to Employment Insurance
Should you have to lay off staff or your staff be unable to work during this time, the federal government has made changes to employment insurance (EI) in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.
EI sickness benefits provide up to 15 weeks of income replacement and is available to eligible claimants who are unable to work because of illness, injury or quarantine. Canadians quarantined can apply for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits.
As well, for people quarantined due to COVID-19, the government is eliminating the waiting period entirely, so they can receive EI benefits for an entire 14-day quarantine.
Pandemic Preparedness Guide
There are a number of things businesses must consider should COVID-19 escalate in Canada, including: - Staff absences
- Disruption to essential services, like information, telecommunications, financial services, energy supply, and logistics
- Disruption to supply of necessary materials or contractors
- A major increase or decrease in demand for products and services
- Cancellation or disruption of travel and cross-border movement of people and goods
- Cancellation of public meetings or gatherings like sports events and concerts
- Impact on the trade status of Canada or our trading partners
- Increased public fear that causes citizens to avoid public places, including front line retail and tourist-related attractions, restaurants, and leisure businesses.
Download the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Pandemic Preparedness Guide for additional information.
Alberta Health Information
Alberta Health Services: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16944.aspx
Government of Alberta information: https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=sem&utm_campaign=Covid19&utm_term=latestinfo&utm_content=v2&gclid=CjwKCAjwgbLzBRBsEiwAXVIygFfAWnXNFMLnAtymglpP8gRN-mUIg8OGabdBof5Gn2glv-NLPxK2thoCMVEQAvD_BwE
Additional Resources
Sign - How to Wash Hands: https://www.restaurantscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/1_How-To-Wash-Your-Hands.pdf?utm_source=COVID-19+Update&utm_campaign=Road+trip&utm_medium=email
Sign - How to apply disinfectant: https://www.restaurantscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2_How-To-Disinfect-Your-Hands.pdf?utm_source=COVID-19+Update&utm_campaign=Road+trip&utm_medium=email
Sign - Hand Hygiene: https://www.restaurantscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3_Hand-Hygiene-Internal-Staff-Poster.pdf?utm_source=COVID-19+Update&utm_campaign=Road+trip&utm_medium=email
For more information
