COVID-19 Information & Resources

Click on one of the topics below for more information:

• BC Restart Plan
• BC Proof of Vaccination Requirements
• BC Proof of Vaccination Information for Businesses
• BC Immunization Plan
• Province-Wide Restrictions
• Travel and COVID-19
• Economic Support Programs & Resources for Businesses
• Financial Support for Individuals and Workers
  • COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave for BC Workers
• Business Resources

Latest Announcements and Updates

Government of Canada Announces Targeted COVID-19 Support Measures to Create Jobs and Growth – October 21, 2021

Canada is on the road to economic recovery—but some areas of the country and economy continue to need targeted support. On Thursday, October 21, 2021, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced that the government is taking targeted action to create jobs and spur economic growth. This includes moving from the very broad-based support that was appropriate at the height of lockdowns to more targeted measures that will provide help where it is needed, while prudently managing government spending.

See the full Government of Canada press release.

COVID-19 Capacity Limits Lifting as Two-Dose Vaccine Requirements Begin – October 19, 2021

On Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, full vaccination for everyone born in 2009 or earlier (12+) and presentation of your BC Vaccine Card will be required to access certain events, services and businesses, and on Monday, Oct. 25, more people will be able to come together at organized gatherings and events in parts of the province where vaccination rates are high.

See the full Government of British Columbia press release.

BC Vaccine Card Details Announced – September 7, 2021

The B.C. vaccine card is now live on the government’s Health Gateway website. A secure paper option will also be available for September 13, 2021.

Visit our BC Proof of Vaccination Requirements page for full details.

Visit our BC Proof of Vaccination Information for Businesses page for business-specific details.

BC Announces Mask Mandate to Reduce Transmission and Protect People in Public Spaces – August 24, 2021

As of Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces throughout B.C. to help slow the transmission of COVID-19 as B.C. prepares for the fall and respiratory illness season. A new order from the provincial health officer will require people 12 and older to wear masks in indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status.  See the full Government of British Columbia press release.

Visit our Province-Wide Restrictions page for full details regarding the mask mandate.

BC Launches Proof of Vaccination to Stop Spread of COVID-19 – August 23, 2021

Starting September 13, 2021, a new order from the provincial health officer will require individuals to provide proof of vaccination to access a broad range of social, recreational, and discretionary events and businesses throughout the province.  See the full Government of British Columbia press release.

Visit our BC Proof of Vaccination Requirements page for full details.

Government Extends COVID-19 Business Supports – July 30, 2021

The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, Canada Emergency Rent subsidy, and Lockdown Support have been extended through October 23, with rent subsidy rates set to increase during the period between August 29 and September 25, 2021. See the full Government of Canada press release.

Visit our Economic Support Programs & Resources for Businesses page for full details.

Government Extends COVID-19 Benefits – July 30, 2021

The Government of Canada has announced an extension for the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit, and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit until October 23, 2021. The maximum number of weeks for the CRB will increase by 4 weeks, to a total of 54 weeks, at a rate of $300 per week.  See the full Government of Canada press release.

Visit our Financial Support for Individuals and Workers page for full details.

Easing of Border Measures Announced for Fully Vaccinated Travellers – July 19, 2021

The Government of Canada has announced a further easing of visitation rules for people in long-term care and seniors’ assisted living. These rules will come into effect on Monday, July 19, 2021.

Visit our Travel and COVID-19 page for full details.

Eased Visitation Restrictions Announced for Seniors in Long-Term Care – July 8, 2021

The Government of BC has announced a further easing of visitation rules for people in long-term care and seniors’ assisted living. These rules will come into effect on Monday, July 19, 2021.

Visit our BC Restart Plan page for full details.

BC Moving to Step 3 in BC’s Restart Plan on July 1, 2021 – June 29, 2021

Beginning Thursday, July 1, 2021, BC will take the next step in safely bringing people back together by transitioning into Step 3 of BC’s Restart plan, a four-step plan to bring BC back together and on the road to recovery. BC’s step-by-step plan will follow approximate timelines and ease people and businesses out of the pandemic slowly, towards a gradual return to a more normal life.

Visit our BC Restart Plan page for full details.

Employer Reimbursement Program Launches for COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave – June 17, 2021

Starting Thursday, June 17, 2021, employers can apply for reimbursement of wages paid to workers who have taken sick leave related to COVID-19.

Visit our COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave page for full details.

BC Lends Support to Temporary Patios Going Permanent – June 16, 2021

More than 2,000 temporary patios authorized to serve liquor during the COVID-19 pandemic can apply to become permanent under amended provincial liquor regulations, including prospective patios that are supported by local governments and meet local bylaws.

Visit our BC Lends Support to Temporary Patios Going Permanent page for full details.

BC Government Announces Additional Funding for the Business Recovery Grant Program – June 4, 2021

The Province of British Columbia has announced millions in additional funding to keep the Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant Program operating until the expected start of Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan on Thursday, July 1, 2021. All businesses that apply must submit all final documentation and details before the Friday, July 2, 2021 deadline.

Visit the BC Government website to read the full press release.

Government of Canada Announces Details of the New Canada Recovery Hiring Program and Extension of Business Support Programs – June 2, 2021

The Government of Canada has announced details regarding the proposed Canada Recovery Hiring Program, which would help hard-hit businesses to hire the workers they need to recover and grow as local economies reopen. The program would provide a subsidy of up to 50% of eligible salary or wages, and would be available to eligible employers who have experienced qualifying revenue declines so they can hire more workers, increase workers’ hours, or increase wages. Support would be available retroactively to Sunday, June 6, 2021, once Bill C-30 receives Royal Assent.

The Government of Canada also detailed the proposed extension of business support programs that have served as a lifeline to Canadian businesses throughout the pandemic. This includes extensions of the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and Lockdown Support, which were set to expire in June 2021, to bridge Canadians through recovery. Both the Hiring Program and proposed extensions are part of Bill C-30, the Budget Implementation Act, which is currently before Parliament.

Visit the Government of Canada website to read the full press release.

Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) Deadline Extended – June 2, 2021

The deadline for BCAP, which allows for qualified applications to quickly improve their cash flow, has been extended from Wednesday, June 30, 2021, to Friday, December 31, 2021. The program offers a partial (80%) guarantee from EDC on new operating lines of credit or new term loans.

Visit our Economic Support Programs & Resources for Businesses page for full details.

Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Deadline Extended – June 2, 2021

The deadline for HASCAP, which provides support to businesses in some of the hardest-hit sectors, has been extended from Wednesday, June 30, 2021, to Friday, December 31, 2021. The program offers 100% government-guaranteed loans ranging from $25,000 to $1,000,000.

Visit our Economic Support Programs & Resources for Businesses page for full details.