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London Business COVID-19 Portal
Updated January 2021
London Business COVID-19 Portal
Updated January 2021
Updated January 2021
Updated January 2021
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The London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), London Chamber of Commerce, and London Small Business Centre have partnered to develop this resource hub for London businesses during COVID-19.
Things are changing on a minute-by-minute basis and we continue to hear about the need to better navigate the resources that are currently available.
You asked, we listened. To achieve this we're streamlining the information and resources available during COVID-19 and are capturing them on this portal. We are committed to work together and provide valuable resources for our business community.
It's our hope that through streamlining communication, we can be your one-stop shop for finding valuable, reliable, and up-to-date resources and information that are being shared at the local, provincial, and federal government levels.
Use the quick links on the right to navigate to important sections of this website.
We are all in this together. Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay resilient.
Quick Links
9. Helpful Articles & Resources
10. About Us
11. Contact Us
We are here to support employers during these challenging economic conditions. Consider us your one-stop-shop for everything COVID-19 - we're here to connect you to the information you need and the answers you're looking for.
Have an innovative idea to support local businesses during COVID-19? Facing a challenge and exploring your options?
Let's generate solutions together.
Contact LEDC, the London Chamber of Commerce, and SBC London using the contact form at the bottom of this website or by visiting our websites.
October 27, 2020 - New guidance on using masks in the workplace
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has provided some new material in the Guide to developing your COVID-19 workplace safety plan,
The recent revisions include new or updated information about several evolving topics of particular importance for many employers:
In addition to this, new standalone guidance on using masks in the workplace has been released.
The existing guidance note for the Restaurant and Food Services sector has also been updated to integrate key content from the Safety Plan and to provide information about the different uses of masks in the workplace as well as clarity on the use of masks with eye protection as personal protective equipment.
Ontario
* Ontario Regulation 765/20 has now amended Regulation 228/20, which is the Regulation that provided for Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL). The relevance of this amendment is that for the COVID-19 Period, temporary layoffs that exceeded the statutory time limits under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), no longer constituted deemed terminations - i.e. temporary layoffs that continued beyond 13 weeks in any period of 20 consecutive weeks, or temporary layoffs that continued beyond 35 weeks in any 52 consecutive week period and where benefits or other payments were continued.
* Furthermore and for the COVID-19 Period, it offered temporary protection to employers who did not have permissive layoff language in their contracts of employment (but were forced to temporarily layoff staff as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic), from claims for constructive dismissal brought under the ESA.
* As a result of these protections, the COVID-19 Period has become a focal point for employers and following a previous extension, was set to expire on January 2, 2021. Regulation 765/20 which was recently announced, has since extended the COVID-19 Period to July 3, 2021, meaning that these employer protections will continue to apply for purposes of the ESA.
Federal
Similar announcements have also been made for Federally regulated employers and under the Canada Labour Code. Provided that the temporary layoffs were effected prior to December 31, 2020, federally regulated employers will now have until March 31, 2021 to recall their staff before triggering a termination of employment.
***
The Ontario government has released its plan to reopen businesses, services, and public spaces.
Here are the latest updates:
January 12, 2021 - Province Issues Stay-at-Home Order and Introduces Enhanced Enforcement Measures to Reduce Mobility
General Public Health Measures for all Businesses, Organizations and Facilities
Work from Home Except Where Necessary Each person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall ensure that any person who performs work for the business or organization conducts their work remotely, with limited exception, for instance, where the nature of their work requires them to be on-site at the workplace.
General Public Health Measures for all Individuals
*Stay-at-Home
*Physical Distancing
Every person in a place of business or facility that is open to the public shall maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person except from their caregiver or other members of the person’s household, with limited exceptions.
*Face Coverings
Every person in the premises of a business or organization that is open shall ensure that they wear a mask or face covering that covers their mouth, nose and chin, when they are in indoor areas of the premises, with limited exemptions.
*Accessing Closed Indoor and Outdoor Recreational Amenities
No person shall use an indoor or outdoor recreational amenity that is required to be closed.
Read PDF file for complete update Here.
Announced November 3 - Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open.
As of November 7, 2020, the province will transition public health unit regions to the new framework.
The five levels of public health measures
Where there are regional restrictions or requirements, all provincial restrictions also apply. Read more about Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework here.
The Middlesex-London region will be entering the 'Grey-Control' zone on December 26, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.
Here's what that means:
*More information about this update is found on the Ontario Government Website.
City of London – Impacts of Provincial Shutdown
With the Provincial announcement that Ontario will be under shutdown beginning December 26, there are a number of impacts on City facilities, programs and services. Effective December 24 at noon, City facilities including City Hall will be closed to the public. Many services will remain available, however, in person services will be by appointment only, at designated times or online.
The following provides an overview of the programs and services that are impacted by this. Unless otherwise stated, these come into effect as of noon on December 24.
Recreation programs, facilities, and memberships:
All community centres are closed for indoor drop-in and indoor registered programs beginning December 26. This includes day camps. Participants will be contacted by phone or email if their program has been affected and will receive full refunds for any fee-based programs.
Registration and start dates for indoor recreation programs that were scheduled to start in January will be suspended. When the Province has ended the shutdown, staff will contact participants who have registered for programs with information about a revised start date for Winter programs.
Arenas and rinks:
All programs in arenas will be cancelled, including recreational skates, hockey rentals, and any private rentals.
Victoria Park outdoor skating will be closed. Storybook Gardens skating trail will remain open, and registration is required in advance.
Aquatics:
All programs will be cancelled including recreational swims, aquafit classes, fit lanes, Learn to Swim and leadership courses. Swim passes will be placed on hold.
Child Care Fee Subsidy:
Citi Plaza will be closed to the public as of noon on December 24. Please contact Children Services by email at childcare@london.ca or by calling 519 661-4834.
Social Services:
In-person and drop-in services will not be provided at any location. People are encouraged to call 519-661-4520 (toll free at 1-833-932-2297) or email socialservices@london.ca.
Cheque pick up in December will be December 29 and 30 between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Effective January, cheque pick up and encashment stamps will be available at Citi Plaza on the last two business days of the month, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and again between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., as well as every Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., or on an emergency basis and by appointment only.
Wherever possible, clients are encouraged to email a copy of their documents or drop them off at one of the drop box locations.
Subsidized Transit Bus Passes:
Eligible individuals may purchase January bus passes at Citi Plaza on the last two business days of the month, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and again between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., as well as every Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Homeless Prevention:
Front counter service will not be available at Citi Plaza. Residents needing assistance can call 519-661-HOME (4663)
Fire Services:
All fire stations, including Memorial Headquarters (400 Horton Street) are closed to the public until further notice. For non emergencies, please call 519-661-5615.
Marriages:
Marriage licenses are available by appointment only. For additional information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at 519-661-4530.
Civil Marriage Ceremonies:
Civil Marriage Ceremonies are not being offered at this time.
Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)
MFIPPA request are available by appointment only.
Council and Committee Meetings:
City Hall will be temporarily closed to the public for in-person attendance at Standing Committees and Council meetings. Live streaming of these meetings will continue to be available via the City of London’s website or YouTube.
Public Participation Meetings:
Residents wishing to speak at a Public Participation Meeting (PPM) will need to register in advance by calling 519-661-2489 ext. 7100 or by emailing PPMClerks@london.ca. Requests to speak must be received before 4:30 p.m. on the day before the meeting. Written submissions are also accepted by email, directed to the committee or Members of Council prior to the meeting.
Building, Development and Planning Services:
These services will be available by appointment by emailing Building@london.ca , Developmentservices@london.ca or Planning@london.ca
Parking Services:
The Parking office will be closed. Payments can be made online at www.london.ca. For parking inquiries including parking lot payments and screening requests, please email Parking@london.ca.
Business Licensing:
The office will be closed, however inquiries will be managed virtually and online by emailing Licensing@london.ca.
Animal Services: This will be available either virtually or by appointment adoptions. Stray animal drop off will be by appointment only, and only emergency field services will be available. For additional information, email info@accpets.ca.
General Services:
Before coming to City Hall for any Service, please first call or email the Service Area you wish to visit or call 519-661-2489 or email ASKCity@london.ca to make an appointment.
Additional information:
* The Enviro Depots and Household Special Waste drop off at the W12A landfill will continue to operate as per their normal schedules for this time of year.
* All outdoor park amenities and trails will remain open and available for recreational use. All public consultation and engagement will move to online, hardcopy/mailouts, or by phone during the shutdown.
* The Tourism Centre on Wellington Road will be closed.
* As per the Provincial regulation, Paralympic and Olympic athletes will be permitted to train at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre and Farquharson Arena.
Business Re-opening Services
* The Canadian Business Resiliency Network is offering a Business Reopening Toolkit. View printable templates and signage
* Deloitte is offering a COVID-19: Economic recovery dashboard monitors the health, social, financial and economic activity that will signal when a recovery is coming.
* FirstOnSite is offering COVID-19 Re-occupancy Services for Commercial Office Space.
* StevensE3 is offering a variety of social distancing solutions for businesses on their online store and are also happy to work with clients to develop custom solutions.
Government Resources
* Guidance for workplaces and businesses (Federal)
* Sector-specific guidance and posters: Find resources, best practices and other information to help you understand your rights and responsibilities during the COVID-19 outbreak. You can also download posters about physical distancing best practices for your sector. There is also guidance for transit agencies and passengers to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
* Rules for federally-regulated workplaces (Federal)
* The province continues to develop sector-specific safety guidance documents, with over 150 guides available.
The following are the latest funding and support program announcements at the local, provincial, and federal levels. You can find more funding programs in the Economic Relief section of this website.
Federal
Provincial
- $213 million for SMEs facing financial pressure; and
- $39.4 million to provide rural businesses with access to capital and business support, delivered by southern Ontario’s Community Futures
Development Corporations.
Local
- DMS Ontario Grants to help businesses with their digital transformation
- DMS Shop Here program to help small businesses and artists with selling online
- DMS Futureproof program to help businesses with identifying new markets and pivoting business models
The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the global outbreak, outlined in their COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. Details are below.
Which program is right for you?
· Navigate all of the Ontario and Federal Government's financial support for businesses in this overview
· Answer a few questions to get a personalized list of support from the Government of Canada
· If your business is located in Ontario, use this self-assessment developed by rtraction and Benjamin Glauss to help determine which financial help measures apply to your business. Fill out the assessment here
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES
Overview of all economic relief for sectors can be found here.
Avoiding layoffs & rehiring employees
Access to credit
Creating new jobs & opportunities for youth
Deferred payments
Indigenous businesses
Supporting financial stability
SUPPORT FOR SECTORS
Overview of all economic relief for sectors can be found here
Agriculture, agri-food, aquaculture, fisheries
Cultural, heritage and sports
Air transportation
Tourism
Energy
Non-profit and charitable
SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES
Overview of all economic relief for individuals and families can be found here
The Ontario Government has recently announced a number of updates to support employers and employees:
The City of London is providing immediate economic relief through the following - stay informed here on their website:
Additionally, the Mayor's Economic Impact and Recovery Task Force have developed a brief and easy to navigate summary of the Provincial and Federal resources available to London's businesses. You can read the list here.
Local Funding Programs
Business + Workforce Services
· Need to get your business online? The LEDC has developed a guide to many London businesses offering eCommerce, website development, and marketing services
· TechAlliance has launched a Rebuild Roster, a new tool to bolster Southwestern Ontario technology companies by placing tech talent in view of hiring managers
· SBC's COVID-19 Business Support Squad provides free consultations to answer questions and provide strategic guidance to your small business
· The Business Support Initiative provides businesses with actionable work to open doors to new revenue streams and new opportunities
· Info-Tech Research Group has developed a COVID-19 Resource center, with a complimentary CIO Strategy for COVID-19 and upcoming webinars
Promotional Offers + Opportunities
· AdHOME is offering free advertising and marketing counsel for businesses of any size
· Alarmtech Systems for Life is offering a free, live remote consultation to design a security system that can be installed at your home / business
· The London Free Press launches a free business directory - if your business is open during COVID, add it to their directory
· Minuteman Press is offering to print free COVID-19 awareness posters and free advertising on their Bounce Back London website
· OntarioSEO is offering Local Google My Business Support, by providing a Free Google My Business Audit
· RBC is offering financial and informational resources.
· Attache Group Inc. provides cyber security awareness training for end users
· FirstOnSite is offering Tips and Emergency Response for Hibernating Commercial Buildings
Staying Connected
· The Council of Canadian Innovators has launched a dedicated COVID-19 Tech Group on Slack for Canadian technology workers
· RH Accelerator has launched RHA Online - a free service for the founder community to support companies with responding to the COVID-19 crisis
Virtual Learning
· Check out KPMG's COVID-19 Podcast about the trends and challenges of business continuity
· The Achievement Centre is offering free access to online learning around sales and leadership
Working Remotely
· Consys Group Inc. has prepared a quick assessment tool to assist with determining how remote-work ready your business is
· Western IT Group is offering no-charge consultations to review your organizations business continuity planning (BCP)
· tbk is offering free work-from-home consulting to companies as they transition into a remote model. Email tbk at workfromhome@tbkCreative.com
· Techdoz has launched London Tech Tools to help businesses in the community settle into their new technology lifestyles
· ManagePoint is offering free IT consulting via email or teleconference
· Dagi is offering one-month free connection to work from home with free set-up
Take a look at local businesses that have went digital. You can support these businesses via online orders, take-out, delivery, or purchasing gift cards to use at a later date:
· Support London Businesses, started by rTraction, allows you to explore a number of stores in London that you can continue supporting digitally
· Explore businesses that are currently operating & offering take-out, delivery, porch-drop, virtual tours, virtual experiences or online events on Tourism London's website and in Downtown London's list. You can also view a list and map of takeout options here.
· SlyFox Digital Marketing's list of sanity savers highlights local business pick up and delivery
· I Love Local is a new initiative to support brick and motar stores by purchasing digital vouchers
· GIFTforward is an initiative supported by Ivey Business School students to help local businesses by offering gift cards that customers can buy through their platform and use once these businesses are allowed to re-open
#ShopLdnOnt
Follow the local hashtag shopldnont to learn about local businesses, make some online purchases, and show your appreciation by liking/sharing/rating! Get in touch with Shop LdnOnt directly to have your business added: Instagram / Facebook
Always rate, like, share, and buy from local businesses online when possible!
Locally
Attention manufacturers! Please contact Jason Bates at jbates@emccanada.org if you can provide any of the following:
Provincially
Nationally
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) has helped us gather a number of health and safety resources to support your business through COVID-19., around the following topics:
Section 1: COVID-19 Resource Information
WSPS’ main Covid-19 Portal: This link will direct you to WSPS’ main Covid-19 portal. Listed below are examples of specific resources:
Section 2: Mental Health in Times of COVID-19
Section 3: Information & 'How-To' Posters
Section 4: Occupational Specific Health & Safety Guidelines
Here you will find guidelines for a variety of industries and roles, including Agricultural, Truck Driving, Equipment Operators, Food Retail Sector, Office Sector, Restaurant Services, Grocery, Warehousing and more. Scroll to bottom of page – located under ‘downloads’
The Ontario Government also recently released health and safety guidelines for employers.
Section 5: Health & Safety Duty Consultant
Sources: WSPS, Federal & Provincial Government, National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOHS), Public Health Ontario
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) has, and will continue to be, a leader in providing impactful hazard risk management solutions. We have extended our core business hours and have a Duty Consultant on call from 7am – 7pm to Monday to Friday. You can reach the Duty Consultant via email at dutyconsultant@wsps.ca or telephone 1-877-494-9777. There is no charge for this service.
Section 6: Free COVID-19 related eCourses
WSPS Covid-19 related eCourses (no charge):
Other Free WSPS eCourses indirectly related to Covid-19 (no charge):
Section 7: Emergency Specific Information
Emergency information related to Covid-19 providing information on:
Section 8: Local London Resources
·Take a look at several London businesses that are providing personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfecting services to keep employees and workplaces safe in LEDC's list.
· Driven to understand what these impacts may be and how the government can support those in need, Pulse InfoFrame in London is running an online study – called the healthie™ Global Pandemic Mental Health Assessment - to learn how COVID-19 is affecting communities mentally and emotionally
· Have non-emergency concerns about safety during COVID-19? Call London Police Services at 519-661-5670 - officers are available on this number 24/7
The following websites are providing updates about COVID-19 as they happen. Monitor these in addition to other local media outlets for more information.
Daily Updates:
Business Closures - Stay Informed
Helpful Articles + Resource Hubs
About LEDC
The London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) is the lead economic development agency for London, Canada. LEDC works with business, government and community partners to attract business investment, develop a connected and supportive business climate and grow London's talented workforce.
Please contact us on our website or using the contact form below to learn more about how we can provide support during COVID-19.
About London Chamber of Commerce
The London Chamber of Commerce is a politically independent, membership based, volunteer driven, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to lead and serve the London business community. We work hard on behalf of members, offering insightful and meaningful policy contributions, leading initiatives that positively influence London's social and economic landscape.
Please contact us on our website or using the contact form below to learn more about how we can provide support during COVID-19.
About London Small Business Centre
The London Small Business Centre is a not-for-profit organization that provides training and support to starting and growing businesses. From concept, through start-up and early growth stages, the Centre is a one-stop source for information, guidance and professional advice on starting and running a successful business.
Please contact us on our website or using the contact form below to learn more about how we can provide support during COVID-19.
Copyright © 2020 LEDC, London Chamber of Commerce, SBC London - London Business COVID 19 Portal - All Rights Reserved.