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London Business COVID-19 Portal

Updated December 2021

London Business COVID-19 Portal

Updated December 2021

Open for Business

October 29, 2021 - The Ontario Government has updated/changed COVID-19 screening questions. Please see COVID-19 worker and employee screening for updated details.

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:

Active screening of workers
Air flow/ventilation
What to do if there is a case of COVID-19 in the workplace
The use of masks as source control

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.

* On June 4, 2021, the Ontario Government published Regulation 412/21, extending the end date for COVID-19 Period from July 3, 2021 to September 25, 2021.

***

October 22, 2021 - Ontario plans to lift all COVID-19 public health measures — masks included — by March 2022

Here's a timeline of what you can expect:

Oct. 25: The province will lift capacity limits in the majority of settings where proof of vaccination is required including restaurants, indoor sports facilities and gyms, casinos, bingo halls and indoor meeting and event spaces. Places of worship, museums and personal care settings such as barbershops and salons can also do away with capacity limits if they require proof of vaccination.
Nov. 15: The government plans to lift capacity limits in remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including night clubs, wedding receptions in spaces where dancing is involved, strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs.
Jan. 17: Assuming the holidays don't contribute to any "concerning trends," the plan is to lift capacity limits in places where proof of vaccination is not required. At the same time, proof of vaccine requirements may also be lifted for restaurants, bars and sports facilities.
Feb. 7: The province plans to lift proof of vaccine requirements in high-risk settings including night clubs, strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs.
March 28: Ontario plans to lift mask-wearing requirements in indoor public spaces, as well as remove proof-of-vaccine requirements for all remaining settings. Capacity limits and public health measures could be re-introduced at local levels to manage COVID-19 as needed.

May 20,2021 - The Ontario Government Released Three-Step Roadmap to Safely Reopen the Province

Here are the latest updates:

July 9, 2021- Ontario Moving to Step Three of Roadmap to Reopen on July 16

Here are the highlights of what’s allowed under the third phase:

Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 100 people
Indoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 25 people
Indoor dining with no limits to the number of patrons per table
Retail with capacity limited to ensure physical distancing
Indoor religious services, rites or ceremony gatherings with physical distancing
Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities with capacity limits
Personal care services with capacity limited to ensure physical distancing
Museums, casinos and bingo halls with capacity limits
Cinemas, concert, theatres, and other performing arts venues with capacity limits

For more information, visit the Ontario Government website.

Click here to see City of London services and programs updates.

Roadmap to Reopen outlines three steps to easing public health measures, guided by the following principles:

Step One: An initial focus on resuming outdoor activities with smaller crowds where the risk of transmission is lower and permitting retail with restrictions. This includes allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, outdoor dining with up to four people per table and non-essential retail at 15 per cent capacity.
Step Two: Further expanding outdoor activities and resuming limited indoor services with small numbers of people where face coverings are worn. This includes outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people, outdoor sports and leagues, overnight camps, personal care services where face coverings can be worn and with capacity limits, as well as indoor religious services, rites or ceremony gatherings at 15 per cent capacity.
Step Three: Expanding access to indoor settings, with restrictions, including where there are larger numbers of people and where face coverings can’t always be worn. This includes indoor sports and recreational fitness, indoor dining, museums, art galleries and libraries, and casinos and bingo halls, with capacity limits.

Visit the Ontario Government website for more information.

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. COVID-19 Screening Tool for Businesses and Organizations (Screening Workers)

New Funding Programs

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

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, The government is proposing to continue COVID-19 business support programs until May 2022 for organizations hit hardest since the start of the pandemic or most affected by public health restrictions. Read the October 21 announcement and check back soon for details.
COVID-19 benefits and services - Benefits to help Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak.

Provincial

Ontario Together Fund - The Government of Ontario has announced an additional investment of $50 million into the renewed (OTF). This was launched to help businesses provide innovative solutions and manufacture essential medical supplies and equipment to support Ontario’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can submit an application until the program ends on March 31, 2022 at 5 p.m. EST.
Recovery Activation Program (RAP) is a no cost, immersive, highly practical online workshop that helps businesses identify areas for digital overhaul. Ontario businesses can apply to access $40,000 in training, mentorship, and support.

Local

London companies can receive support from Digital Main Street through their following programs:

- 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

Economic Relief

Federal

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 here.

· 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

*EXTENDED* Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): Covers 75% of an employee's wages for employers of all sizes and across all sectors who have suffered a drop in gross revenues of at least 15% in March, and 30% in April and May. *The government is proposing to continue COVID-19 business support programs until May 2022 for organizations hit hardest since the start of the pandemic or most affected by public health restrictions. Read the October 21 announcement and check back soon for details.
Temporary 10% Wage Subsidy: A three-month measure that will allow eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deduction required to be remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Work-Sharing Program: Up to 76 weeks of income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance who agree to reduce their normal working hours because of developments beyond the control of their employers
Have questions regarding EI Top-Up Benefits? Contact the Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Program at 1-800-561-7923 or email Sub-psc@servicecanada.gc.ca indicating the company name, business number (if applicable), and your question

Access to credit

Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP Guarantee): Export Development Canada is working with financial institutions (FIs) to provide companies with business financing solutions. Find out if the EDC BCAP guarantee is the right fit for you.
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee - These loans are for small and medium-sized businesses that have seen their revenues decrease by 50% or more as a result of COVID-19. Businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs. The HASCAP Guarantee is available until December 31, 2021.
Large employer emergency financing: Bridge financing for Canada's largest employers
$20.1 million in support for Futurpreneur Canada to continue supporting young entrepreneurs across Canada who are facing challenges
$675 million through Canada's Regional Development Agencies to give financing support to small and medium-sized businesses
The Trade Commissioner Service has experts worldwide who can provide access to funding and help mitigating COVID-19 impacts for businesses in global markets.

Creating new jobs & opportunities for youth

Student Work Placement Program: $80 million to support up to 20,000 post-secondary students across Canada to obtain paid work experience related to their field of study
Mitacs & The Business/Higher Education Roundtable (BHER): $40 million to support Mitacs in order to create 5,000 new job placements. BHER will create a further 5,000 to 10,000 new student placements

Indigenous businesses

Indigenous Community Business Fund, First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities and collectives can access funding to support their community-owned businesses whose revenues have been affected by COVID-19.

Supporting financial stability

The Bank of Canada is lowering interest rates to 0.25%, intervening to support key financial markets and providing liquidity support for financial institutions

SUPPORT FOR SECTORS

Overview of all economic relief for sectors can be found here

Agriculture, agri-food, aquaculture, fisheries

Through Farm Credit Canada (FCC), farmers, producers, agribusinesses, and food processors can access $5 billion in lending and will receive extensions to previous loans. Contact FCC to see if you're eligible to access this program
Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund: Short term financing, added storage capacity for unsold products, support of new manufacturing technologies to improve productivity, and more to support Canada's fish and seafood processing industries

Cultural, heritage and sports

COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund: $500 million for cultural, heritage and sport organizations that will help address the financial needs of affected organizations so they can continue to support artists and athletes
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will not issue letters requesting payment for Part I licence fees by broadcasters for the 2020–21 fiscal year

Air transportation

Support to Canada’s Air Transportation Sector - To help airports reduce cost pressures and preserve cash flow as they deal with the effects of COVID-19 on their revenue, the government is waiving rents paid on ground leases for the 21 airport authorities that form part of the National Airport System and that pay rent to the government.

Tourism

For tourism operators and small businesses, regional development agencies (RDAs) could assist with access to federal funding and services.

Energy

Emissions Reduction Fund: $750 million to support workers and reduce emissions in Canada's oil and gas sector, with a focus on methane

Non-profit and charitable

Emergency Community Support Fund: $350 million to support vulnerable Canadians through charities and non-profit organizations that deliver essential services to those in need

SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES

Overview of all economic relief for individuals and families can be found here

The one-week waiting period for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits has been waived
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has allowed for ongoing Mortgage Payment Deferrals

Provincial

The Ontario Government has recently announced a number of updates to support employers and employees:

Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit - This is the online application for employers, allowing businesses to be reimbursed for providing paid infectious disease emergency leave in accordance with section 50.1.1 of the Employment Standard Act (ESA), 2000.
The Workplace PPE Supplier Directory provides businesses with information on personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers
$1.5 million for a new Tourism Economic Development Recovery Fund
$83 million through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to provide grants to help eligible non-profit organizations
Increasing the Employer Health Tax (EHT) exemption for 2020 from $490,000 to $1 million. As an employer, this means relief of up to $9,945
Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit: If you are building, renovating or acquiring commercial or industrial buildings in designated regions in Ontario, you could be eligible to save up to $50,000 this year. You can apply for this tax credit when you file your tax return. Learn more about the tax credit and if your project qualifies.

Local

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 Business Supports

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

Support Local Businesses

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!

Can Your Business Help?

Locally

Attention manufacturers! Please contact Jason Bates at jbates@emccanada.org if you can provide any of the following:

Clean rooms for the production of COVID-19 supplies
Additional warehouse space for pandemic supplies for Healthcare Material Management Services (HMMS)

Provincially

Please visit the Ontario Together website if you can offer emergency products and innovative solutions or volunteer to support our response to COVID-19
Several temporary rules and regulations have been put in place. Learn how to request a temporary rule or regulation change to help your business respond to COVID-19
Ontario Centres of Excellence has launched a COVID-19 Collaboration Platform for Ontario innovators to come together and respond to support this collective effort. If you have a solution or need collaborators to make your solution possible, visit the hub here.

Nationally

Calling all suppliers - help Canada combat COVID-19 by supplying N95 masks, gloves, gowns, IT support services, and more
The Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19 directly supports businesses to rapidly scale up production or re-tool their manufacturing lines to develop products made in Canada that will help in the fight against COVID-19
Next Generation Manufacturing Canada is investing $50 million for companies that can help manufacture critical COVID-19 supplies
NRC is seeking a low-cost sensor system for COVID-19 patient monitoring, made in Canada filtration material for the manufacture of N95 respirators and surgical masks, and point of care / home diagnostic kit for COVID-19

Health & Safety Resources

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:

What steps you can take right now to keep your employees / workplace safe
What to do if an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19
What the 'new normal' of health and safety at a workplace may look like and how you can implement preventative measures upon returning to work

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:

Stop the Spread Business Information Line Now Open at 1-888-444-3659
Take the COVID-19 Self-Assessment
Business Preparedness Pandemic Checklist. - Links to official sources (Public Health, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, etc.)
Link to a page of business resources (government, planning and sector-specific information)
Links to COVID-19 and infection control information – including some great awareness resources from the Government of Canada
Link to a new “Working Remotely” page that features information on ergonomics, mental health and online learning
9 Suggestions To Help Avoid Work Refusals.
WSIB Covid-19 Injury Related Claims
Risk-informed decision-making guidelins for workplaces & businesses during COVID-19
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Track your COVID-19 Compliance in Real-Time
Post-Pandemic Business Playbook

Section 2: Mental Health in Times of COVID-19

Mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic
Psychological Safety Blog
COVID-19: Psychological Health & Safety: Tips and insights to help manufacturers address mental health in the workplace throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.
WSPS “Working Remotely” page that features information on ergonomics, mental health and online learning.
Mental Health Poster
Government of Canada Wellness Together Canada portal
The Conference Board of Canada Free Mental Health & Wellness Resources and a series of videos you can access for support
WSPS eLearning Sessions (free of charge)

Section 3: Information & 'How-To' Posters

About coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Infographic
Help reduce the spread of Covid 19
Physical Distancing – Actions for reducing the spread of Covid-19
Surgical Mask vs. N95 Respirator
How to Self-Isolate
How to Self-Monitor
Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings
Public Health Ontario’s How to Handwash Poster
Public Health Ontario Multilingual “How To” Posters
Mental Health Poster

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:

Staying Protected
How to self-isolate
Safely providing care
Return from travel
Symptoms and treatment

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

About Us

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.

London Business COVID-19 Portal

London Business COVID-19 Portal

Welcome to the London Business COVID-19 Portal

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LEDC - COVID 19 Resources