COVID-19 Resources - Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce

COVID-19 Information & Resources

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Latest Announcements and Updates

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.