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Mar 27, 2020

COVID-19: Business Information & Links During COVID-19

Covid-19 Information and Resources

Monitor the Situation and Stay Up to Date

Need to stay up to date with the latest news and updates? Use these links and resources:

Local

Provincial

Federal

International

Quick Links

Here are the some key resources you can use as you navigate this challenging time:

Provincial Resources for Business

Federal Resources for Business

FAQ

Templates & Guides

Industry Specific Resources

Business Preparedness

Ensure your business is prepared to handle a potential case of business disruption, including accessing available government resources to mitigate potential financial impacts to your employees and your business.

Review or create a Business Continuity Plan for your organization, ensuring it contains:

  • Process to follow if an employee becomes ill;
  • Policies around travel;
  • Policies around sick leave;
  • How to mitigate risk so essential business functions can continue; and
  • Internal and external communications plans.

Here are the some key resources you can use as you navigate this challenging time:

With the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the Calgary Chamber developed a tool to help you find gaps in your business continuity plan, and to help you business better prepare for disaster.

Employer Information

If an employee has to self-isolate

  • Employees and employers should work together to explore alternate working arrangements:
    • Working from home or remotely
    • Doing work that does not require the employee to contact other people in the community or at work
  • If an alternate working arrangement is not possible, employees can use paid sick time if their employer offers this.
  • Changes to the Employment Standards Code will allow employees who are required to self-isolate or are caring for a loved one with COVID-19 to take 14 days of paid job protected leave to cover the self isolation period being recommended by Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. More information on this will be circulated when we receive details from government.
  • There will be no requirement to have a medical note for such leave or to have worked for an employer for 90 days to qualify for such leave.
  • A separate phone line has been set up through Service Canada for queries related to EI sickness benefits relating to COVID-19. The phone number is 1-833-381-2725. The federal government has waived the one (1) week waiting period for Canadians requiring EI sickness benefits for COVID-19, including those who are in a 14-day isolation period. Canadians can apply right away. For employers who do not offer sick leave, or for employees who have exhausted sick leave entitlements, this is an option to provide some compensation.

Funding and Assistance

Prevention

All Albertans are encouraged to take personal steps to help prevent the spread.

To protect yourself and others:

  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Remember to cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue and then throw away the tissue and wash your hands or use a sanitizer.
  • Regularly disinfect your hands, surfaces and objects, such as desks and shared areas.
  • Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
  • If you have flu-like symptoms and / or have recently traveled to an affected region, immediately consult your health care provider, follow their directions and advise your company.
  • If you are ill, stay home and let your work know if needed.
  • Avoid travel to higher risk areas and impacted regions.
  • Get information from credible sources as misinformation can spread quickly.
  • self-isolate for 14 days if returning from travel outside Canada or were exposed to COVID-19

If you have symptoms, like a dry cough, fever, fatigue or difficulty breathing:

View additional information on Symptoms and treatment

If you see facilities that are not following limitations and restrictions of the province, please notify public health inspectors through the online complaint form.

Community Resources

The Alberta Connects Contact Centre is available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call toll-free from anywhere in the province by dialing 310-4455 for general information about the Government of Alberta and its response to COVID-19, or for help contacting individual program areas. This line cannot provide medical advice.

Virtual Business Tools

Travel Advice

An official global travel advisory is in effect: Avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice.

Check the Pandemic COVID-19 travel health notice.

Check our Travel Advice and Advisories for more information.

If you need financial help to return to Canada, check COVID-19: Financial help for Canadians outside Canada.

For more information visit the Government of Canada Travel advice page or the Global Travel Advisories

Social Media To Follow

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LinkedIn: