We understand updates have been arriving regularly, and it can be tough to keep track of the latest news. You can follow the latest Government of Canada Covid-19 Announcements and the BC Gov News. The Government of British Columbia also streams live press conferences.
For information on financial supports designed to help individuals and businesses navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, read the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan and the Government of British Columbia’s StrongerBC Economic Recovery Plan.
As the situation continues to develop, these resources will be updated to ensure every Canadian is receiving the assistance they need.
The B.C. Business COVID-19 Support Service provides guidance and answers questions relating to COVID-19 resources and support programs. Whether you’re an individual or business owner, our team is available to answer any questions you have about COVID-19 supports and your unique circumstances.
Province of BC Announces Further Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions - March 10th
Effective March 11th at 12:01am, mandatory use of face masks in indoor public spaces is no longer required in British Columbia.
The BC Vaccine Card will remain in use until Friday, April 8th when the requirement will be dropped.
Province of BC Announces Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions - February 15th
Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, has announced the easing of many of British Columbia's provincial health orders relating to COVID-19. While face coverings and the BC Vaccine Card will remain in use for now, the graphic below details the changes taking effect February 16th at 11:59pm.
Updates Made to COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant - February 10th
The Province of BC has announced an update to the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant relating to gyms and fitness facilities.
- Gym and fitness businesses that stayed open to offer youth programming at up to 25% of the usual total (adult plus youth) during the four-week period, December 22, 2021 – January 18, 2022, are eligible to apply. (Indoor youth fitness activities are allowed to occur as per: December 22, 2021 and/or January 18, 2022 PHO orders)
- Those that have already applied will have their applications re-evaluated under the new rules. A re-evaluation does not guarantee a change to the initial ineligibility decision.
- New applicants will need to indicated that their business was “fully closed” when asked in the application, and an adjudicator will contact them for more information to determine eligibility.
Federal Government Extends Expanded Access to Local Lockdown Program and Worker Lockdown Benefit - February 9th
Using regulatory authority provided in Bill C-2, the government intends to propose expanding access announced on December 22, 2021 by one month, until March 12, 2022:
- Local Lockdown Program: Eligibility would continue to include employers subject to capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more; and the current-month revenue decline threshold requirement would remain at 25 per cent. Eligible employers would receive wage and rent subsidies from 25 per cent up to a maximum of 75 per cent, depending on their degree of revenue loss. The 12-month revenue decline test continues to not be required in order to access this support.
- Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit: Eligibility would continue to include workers in regions where capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more are in place. This benefit provides $300 a week in income support to eligible workers affected by a COVID-19-related public health lockdown order, and who are either unable to work or have lost 50 per cent or more of their income as a result.
Deadline Reminder - Employer Reimbursement Program - February 9th
The extended submission window for employers seeking reimbursement for employee claims for COVID-19 related sick leave taken between May 20th, 2021 and December 31st, 2021 is closing on Friday, February 11th at 4pm PST.
Please submit all eligible claims for reimbursement for employee COVID-19 related sick leave taken up to and including December 31, 2021 before 4:00 pm on February 11, 2022 in order to access the reimbursement program. All employers that already have a sick pay benefit program for their employees are not eligible to receive reimbursement.
COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant Funds Doubled for Eligible Businesses - January 19th
The Province of BC is extending the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant and doubling supports for eligible businesses that have been ordered to remain temporarily closed through public health measures until Feb. 16, 2022.
Businesses that were directed to remain temporarily closed on Jan. 18, 2022, through public health orders are now eligible for up to $20,000 in total funding, based on staffing levels at the time of closure.
Eligible businesses include:
- bars, nightclubs and lounges that do not serve full meals; and
- event venues that had to close due to cancellations.
Eligible fitness facilities that were ordered closed on Dec. 22, 2021, but can now reopen, will receive the original four-week temporary-closure grant of up to $10,000 based on staffing levels at the time of closure.
Covid-19 Closure Relief Grant - January 12th
Businesses can now apply for the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant, a new program the Province has fast-tracked to support B.C. businesses ordered to temporarily close their doors due to recent public-health measures.
Businesses that were ordered to fully close on Dec. 22, 2021, including bars, nightclubs and lounges that do not serve full meals, gyms, fitness and adult dance centres and event venues that can no longer hold events, can apply for relief grants of between $1,000 and $10,000. Funds from the program, which is expected to support more than 3,000 businesses, can help with expenses such as rent, employee wages, insurance, maintenance and utilities.
This $10-million provincial program complements existing federal government programs, including the recently expanded Local Lockdown Program and the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit.
Learn More
- For more information on the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant, including the application process and eligibility, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/business-relief
- For more information on COVID-19 safety plans, visit: https://worksafebc.com/covid-19
- For more information on B.C.’s COVID-19 recovery supports, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/economic-recovery/business-supports
- For more information on federal supports, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#businesses
- For information on industry-specific COVID-19 safety protocols, visit: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/covid-19/industry-specific-information
Government Extends Loan Forgiveness Repayment Deadline for Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) - January 12th
The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program has provided interest-free, partially forgivable loans to nearly 900,000 small businesses and not-for-profit organizations to help them navigate the pandemic and remain resilient. However, the Omicron variant has delayed the recovery for businesses in many parts of the country.
The federal government has today announced the repayment deadline for CEBA loans to qualify for partial loan forgiveness is being extended from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2023 for borrowers in good standing.
Local Lockdown Program - December 19, 2021 to February 12, 2022
Provides wage and rent subsidies of up to 75 per cent through the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) to eligible businesses, charities, and non-profits affected by a qualifying public health restriction.
Businesses and organizations do not have to be in the tourism, hospitality, arts, entertainment, or recreation sectors to be eligible for this support.
Under new proposed regulatory changes announced by the Federal government on December 22, 2021, businesses and organizations may also qualify for support if they:
- are subject to a capacity-limiting public health restriction of 50 per cent or more; and,
- experience current-month revenue declines of 25 per cent or more.
These regulatory changes apply to December 19, 2021 to February 12, 2022.
More information is available at https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/wage-rent-subsidies/local-lockdown-program.html
Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP)
Provides wage and rent subsidies of up to 75 per cent to eligible businesses and organizations in the tourism, hospitality, arts, entertainment, and recreation sectors.
Businesses and organizations affected by a qualifying public health restriction may qualify for the THRP, regardless of their sector.
More information is available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/wage-rent-subsidies/tourism-hospitality-recovery-program.html
Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP)
Provides wage and rent subsidies of up to 50 per cent to eligible businesses and organizations that do not qualify for the THRP or Local Lockdown Program.
More information is available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/wage-rent-subsidies/hardest-hit-business-recovery-program.html
Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit - December 19, 2021 to February 12, 2022
Self-employed individuals and workers unable to work due to a COVID-19 lockdown may be eligible for temporary income support of $300 ($270 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period.
Under new proposed regulatory changes announced by the Federal government on December 22, 2021, eligibility for the benefit was expanded to include self-employed individuals and workers in regions where a provincial or territorial government has introduced capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more.
These regulatory changes apply to December 19, 2021 to February 12, 2022.
More information is available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/worker-lockdown-benefit.html
Proof of Vaccination Requirement Starts - September 13th, 2021
Some events, services and businesses are now required to check a person's proof of vaccination for access to their venue or space. The requirements are made by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO).
Get full, up-to-date information about how to verify vaccination status, enforcement, impact on workers, and more at these links:
- WorkSafe BC: COVID-19 BC Vaccine Card
- Government of BC: Proof of vaccination information for businesses
- Government of BC: Proof of vaccination and the BC Vaccine Card
B.C. Launches Proof of Vaccination Requirement - August 23rd, 2021
Starting September 13th, 2021, to enter certain spaces, including indoor ticketed sporting events, indoor and patio dining in restaurants, fitness centres, casinos and indoor organized events, like conferences and weddings, people aged 12 and older will be required to show their proof of vaccination.
- As of September 13th, one dose of vaccine will be required for entry to these settings
- By October 24th, entry to these settings will require people to be fully vaccinated at least seven days after receiving both doses
Learn more about proof of vaccination requirements and the B.C. vaccine card.
Federal and Provincial Programs Ending June 2021
The following programs are closing on June 30th, 2021:
- The Regional Recovery Relief Fund (RRRF): Loan applications will no longer be accepted after June 30th, 2021.
- The Canada Emergency Bank Account (CEBA): New applicants have until end of today, June 30th to apply for the $60,000 CEBA loan or the $20,000 expansion, from their financial institution. Some businesses may be eligible for the Highly Affected Sectors Program (HASCAP), which has been extended until December 31st, 2021.
- The BC Recovery Benefit (BCRB): This program ends on June 30th, 2021 at 5pm for phone applications, and midnight for online applications.
B.C. Moves into Step 3 of the BC's Restart Plan - June 29th, 2021
British Columbia is transitioning into Step 3 of the BC’s Restart plan on July 1st, 2021. Nearly 80% of adults are vaccinated with their first dose, and COVID-19 cases continue to decline.
During Step 3, businesses will gradually transition to new communicable disease plans. These guidelines were developed in consultation with public health and businesses will continue to be supported by WorkSafeBC and the PHO as they transition.
These plans will continue to include physical barriers at many business and retail settings. Capacity limits, formal health screening tests and directional arrows, as well as other physical distancing measures will no longer be required. However, they may still be used during this transition period.
Mask wearing is still recommended in indoor public spaces for all people 12 and older who are not yet fully vaccinated.
Moving from Step 2 to Step 3 also includes:
- return to normal for indoor and outdoor personal gatherings
- maximum capacity for indoor organized gatherings of 50 people or up to 50% of a venue’s total capacity, whichever is greater
- maximum capacity for outdoor organized gatherings of 5,000 people or up to 50% of a venue’s total capacity, whichever is greater
- return to normal for fairs, festivals and trade shows, with communicable disease plans
- return to Canada-wide recreational travel
- reopening of casinos, with reduced capacity and ~50% of gaming stations permitted to open
- reopening of nightclubs, with up to 10 people seated at tables, no socializing between tables and no dancing
- return to normal hours for liquor service at restaurants, bars and pubs with table limits to be determined by venue and no socializing between tables
- return to normal for sports and exercise facilities, with communicable disease plans
New Guidelines for Businesses Transitioning From Safety Plans to Communicable Disease Prevention Plans - June 28th, 2021
During Step 3, businesses will gradually transition to new communicable disease plans. WorkSafeBC has developed guidelines in consultation with public health. Businesses will continue to be supported by WorkSafeBC and the PHO as they transition.
These plans will continue to include physical barriers at many business and retail settings. Capacity limits, formal health screening tests and directional arrows, as well as other physical distancing measures will no longer be required. However, they may still be used during this transition period.
- Preparing for Step 3 of BC’s Restart: Communicable disease prevention
- Provincial Health Officer Statement for Employers on Transitioning from COVID-19 Safety Plans to Communicable Disease Plans
- Communicable disease prevention: A guide for employers
