Government of Canada to remove COVID-19 border and travel measures effective October 1

The Government of Canada has announced that effective October 1, 2022, all travelers arriving in Canada (regardless of citizenship) will no longer have to:

• submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website
• provide proof of vaccination
• undergo pre- or on-arrival testing
• carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation
• monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arriving to Canada.

Mask mandate to reduce transmission, protect people in public spaces

The Province of BC has reinstated a mask mandate for public indoor spaces across the province on August 25th, 2021, that applies to people aged 12 and older. Indoor spaces include grocery stores, city halls, restaurants, pubs and bars, public transit, taxis or office buildings where public services are provided.

Proof of vaccination requirement

By order of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), proof of vaccination will be required to access some events, services and businesses. Starting September 13, you must have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. By October 24, you must be fully vaccinated. You'll be able to show your proof of vaccination easily using the BC vaccine card website. You'll be able to save your vaccine card to your smartphone and show it when accessing events, services and businesses.

BC Vaccine Card – A Guide for Businesses

The Province of BC has released a Q&A document to guide businesses with answers on how to effectively implement the proof of vaccination requirement.

As part of Step 3 of the Restart plan, employers are no longer required to maintain a COVID-19 Safety Plan and can instead transition to communicable disease prevention.

BC's Restart: A plan to bring us back together

Step 3 of BC’s Restart: Communicable disease prevention

Communicable Disease Prevention: A Guide for Employers

COVID-19 sick leave reimbursement

A human rights approach to proof of vaccination during COVID-19 pandemic, released by the BC Human Rights Commission

Working from home: A guide to keeping your workers healthy and safe

Vax for BC, the next step of the vaccine rollout

The Province of British Columbia is making it easier than ever for people to get vaccinated with the launch of Vax for BC, the next step in the Province’s campaign to help as many eligible people as possible get vaccinated. Beginning on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, and lasting throughout the month of August, community events, vax vans and mobile clinics will be up and running in dozens of communities in B.C. to get more people vaccinated with their first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“With more than 80% of eligible people in B.C. vaccinated with their first dose and more than 60% fully vaccinated, we have made tremendous progress in our vaccine rollout,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “The next few weeks is a great opportunity for everyone not yet fully vaccinated to take advantage of the number of Vax for BC opportunities throughout B.C.”

COVID-19 Awareness Toolkit

The Public Health of Agency of Canada released a COVID-19 Awareness Toolkit that includes COVID-19 resources currently available online. You can share these widely with your networks and clients.

Information on vaccines for youth 12 to 17

Information on vaccines for youth 12 to 17 information can be found on Vaccines for youth 12 to 17 - Province of British Columbia. It includes information for parents, caregivers and trusted adults and what to expect at the clinic.

COVID-19 Immunization Plan - Province of BC
Information is updated frequently based on changes from the latest COVID-19 data and vaccine availability.

IRCC & PHAC Information Session on Canada's vaccine rollout
Hosted on February 16, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) provided an information session on  Canada's vaccine rollout. En français cliquez ici.

About COVID-19 &  COVID-19 General Health Supports

Provincial phone numbers: 8-1-1: If you have questions you can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 toll-free in B.C., or for the deaf and hard of hearing, call 7-1-1. Translation services are available in more than 130 languages.

1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319): Talk to a Service BC agent about non-health related information and services. Service providers at the new phone line will help answer questions about travel recommendations, social distancing, and what kinds of support, resources and assistance are available from the provincial and federal governments. The hotline is available from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day with information available in more than 110 languages.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - HealthLinkBC 
Includes PDF resources in 10 languages

COVID-19 BC Support App and Self-Assessment Tool
The app will let you receive the latest updates, trusted resources, and alerts. The Self-Assessment Tool is built in. While the self-assessment tool will help you determine whether you may need further assessment or testing for COVID-19.

COVID-19 - BC Centre for Disease Control
Find information about COVID-19, how to protect yourself, your family and your community and what to do if you suspect you have the virus.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - Government of Canada
This website includes updates to COVID-19 and information on symptoms and treatment, prevention and risks, travel advice and as well as useful infographics. A virtual assistant is also available for questions about COVID-19.

Social Distancing (Infographic) - Government of Canada
To slow the spread of COVID-19, social distancing is proven to be an effective way to reduce the spread of illness during an outbreak. What is social distancing?  This website and the infographic resource provides a healthful explanation.

Medical Services Plan – British Columbia Response to COVID-19
The Province of BC released temporary measures to assist individuals in BC during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

AMSSA Factsheet: Novel Coronavirus
February, 2020: AMSSA released a factsheet on the Novel Coronavirus

Multi-lingual Resources

Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-Op Response
The Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-Op created resources with information on basic COVID-19 recommendations in English, Arabic, Dari, Tigrinya and Spanish.

Metropolis Social Determinants of Health network COVID-19 factsheets
Metropolis has created factsheets answering 15 common questions relating to COVID-19. The factsheets are all available in 13 languages including English, French, Punjabi, Ukrainian, Arabic, Vietnamese, and others.

COVID-19 and Mental Health Information

Coronavirus: Managing Stress & Anxiety - CMHA (Kelowna)
This webpage includes short videos and articles on a variety of topics, including managing anxiety, worry, and panic around COVID-19 and managing sleep.

Coping with Current Events: Managing Anxiety and Stress - CMHA Kelowna
This free virtual event has multiple dates and discusses the impacts of current events on our mental health.

Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak - WHO
This document from the World Health Organization (WHO) offers guidelines and advice to the general population, healthcare workers, and those in isolation.

Resources and Counselling

COVID-19: Stay Well In Uncertain Times - CMHA BC Chapter
This page outlines various mental health supports in BC, including the Bounce Back program for youth and adults.

Mental Health Check-In
CMHA BC has released a mental health self-assessment. The Check-In is a brief tool to get users to quickly reflect on a few areas of their mental, physical and social well-being. The tool will direct users to the information that is the most useful for them.

Virtual Mental Health Supports During COVID-19 - Government of BC
The Government of BC has released various virtual mental health supports, outlined on their website.

COVID-19 & Your Mental Health: A Comprehensive Resource Guide - Peak Resilience
This includes a comprehensive list of resources and mental health information for folks struggling with mental health, including support groups, counselling, and helpful articles.

Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support
This national project connects folks struggling with mental health or substance use to resources, apps, tools, and trained professionals.

310Mental Health Support
310Mental Health Support (310-6789) is the toll-free provincial access to emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health. This network is also available 24/7/365 throughout BC. (No need to dial area code)

1800SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)​
The focus is on answering and supporting suicide-related calls. Crisis line workers use evidence-based techniques and a province-wide Emergency Resource Database to support callers. 

Crisis Centre Chat
Online chat with crisis responders available from noon to 1 AM in BC and Yukon only.

Workbooks and Mindfulness Exercises

The Working Mind COVID-19 Self-care & Resilience Guide - Mental Health Commission of Canada
These workbooks provide guidelines for how to self-care and stay resilient during a pandemic.

Tolerance for Uncertainty: A COVID-19 Workbook - Dr. Sachiko Nagasawa
This workbook provides a guide for coping with uncertainty and anxiety in the face of COVID-19.

Pandemic Care Resources - Tara Brach
Includes various guided meditations and resources for mindfulness during a pandemic.

Coronavirus Sanity Guide - Ten Percent Happier
This page includes talks, podcasts, and guided meditations to help manage stress, anxiety and fear around COVID-19.

‘FACE COVID’: How to respond effectively to the Corona crisis - Dr. Russ Harris
This document is a set of practical steps of how to effectively cope in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.

Supports for Survivors of Sexual and Domestic Violence

As there is evidence that domestic and sexual violence is increasing due to isolation and other COVID-19 related factors, some supports have expanded their hours and reach.

VictimLink BC
Immediate 24/7 crisis support for victims of family or sexual violence is available by phone through VictimLink BC’s 24/7 telephone service. This service also provides information and referrals for all victims of crime. Call 1-800-563-0808 or email VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca to get help

BWSS
BWSS provides support for those experiencing violence and has expanded their crisis line hours. They accept call, text or email.

WAVAW
This organization serves all survivors of sexual violence of marginalized genders. WAVAW has a crisis line and is currently providing all victim services support and counselling virtually.

Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA BC)
This provincial organization provides a number of resources, including for those working with immigrant and refugee clients experiencing violence

COVID-19 Immunization Plan - Province of BC

New Canada Recovery Benefits - What to Expect | Nouvelles prestations canadiennes de la relance économique – À quoi s’attendre
The Government of Canada released new recovery benefits.

• Answers to your questions on paying back the Canada Emergency Response Benefit| Réponses à vos questions sur le remboursement de la Prestation canadienne d’urgence
• Other helpful links:
  • The Government of Canada launches applications for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
  • The Government of Canada launches applications for the Canada Recovery Benefit
  • Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit
  • Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
  • Canada Recovery Benefit

Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
The Government of Canada released a COVID-19 Economic Response Plan to help those experiencing hardships due to the pandemic.

COVID-19 Economic Response Plan Information Sheet
The Canada Revenue Agency created the information sheet on helpful resources in regard to the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.

COVID-19 Measures to Support Canadians Information Sheet
The Canada Revenue Agency created the information sheet regarding the credits and benefits available from the Government of Canada's COVID-19 measures. The resource includes CERB, GST/HST credit and the Canada Child Benefit.

COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information - Province of BC
The Province of BC released a COVID-19 Action Plan to support people and businesses. Find information regarding the action plan and other government resources.

• Financial Supports in Response to COVID-19 - Province of BC
  Here you will find the breakdown of what will be supported by the Province of BC due to COVID-19.
• Medical Services Plan – British Columbia Response to COVID-19
  The Province of BC released temporary measures to assist individuals in BC during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Plain-Language Guide to Government Aid
Carleton University Professor Jennifer Robson released the Plain-Language Guide to Government Aid to help those accessing the government programs during COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Government Financial Resources for Not-for-Profits - Vantage Point
The economic and financial resources made available by the federal and provincial governments in response to COVID-19. Not-for-profit organizations can access this as employers and share with all employees and workers.

Social Determinants of Health Program - COVID-19 Government Supports and Resources - Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-Op
The Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-Op created a resource that includes information on CERB, housing, business, mental health, and travel supports.

Canadians can now apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit - April 6, 2020

New Horizons for Seniors Program projects can now be used for COVID-19 support - April 6, 2020

Canada announces support to those experiencing homelessness and women fleeing gender-based violence during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic - April 4, 2020

WorkSafeBC Guidelines for Creating a Safe Work Environment - Settlement and Integration Sector
Released in July 2020, AMSSA worked with WorkSafeBC to develop guidelines and assist service provider organizations to create their own guidelines to foster a safe work environment during COVID-19.

COVID-19 information and resource - WorksafeBC
WorkSafeBC has created a resource page and collected health and safety information about COVID-19 and the workplace.

Preventing exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace: A guide for employers - WorkSafeBC
WorksafeBC has created a guide for employers to answer questions employers should ask to address health and safety concerns in the workplace raised by COVID-19.

COVID-19 and Volunteer Involving Organizations - Volunteer Canada
Volunteer Canada has gathered and shared resources related to developing strategies related to volunteer engagement, corporate community engagement, and continuity planning. The page includes sector governance and operations, volunteer management resources and more.

What Nonprofit Board Members Should Be Doing Right Now to Address the COVID-19 Situation - BoardSource
The BoardSource wrote a blog post on what non-profit board members can do to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

How To Tap Into The Power Of Virtual Volunteers
This blog post provides some tips on engaging with volunteers while the office works remotely.

AMSSA Resource: Technology Solutions to Build a Virtual Workplace 

Working from home: a WorkSafeBC guide to keeping your workers healthy and safe

A WorkSafeBC guide to setting up, organizing, and working comfortably in your home workspace

7 Important Tips if You've Never Worked from Home - CharityVillage

COVID-19: How Nonprofits Can Establish Effective Telecommuting Practices - Techsoup

COVID-19: How Nonprofits Can Facilitate Inclusive Online Gatherings - Techsoup

Digital Transformation - a Knowledge Mobilization Resource for the Immigrant and Refugee-serving Sector

Free Software That Businesses, Schools And Others Can Use During The COVID-19 Crisis - Forbes

Pro Tips from CharityVillage Staff on Working from Home - CharityVillage

Tips for working from home for newbies - The Star

Remote Working Guidelines - Vancouver Community College (VCC)
VCC shared their remote working guidelines. As well as a Remote Working Checklist

ISSofBC Moving Ahead Program (MAP): Virtual - Telephone Settlement Case Management Approach
ISSofBC created an approach to virtual-telephone settlement case management that includes information on a few tools that can be used.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

IRCC & PHAC Information Session on Canada's vaccine rollout
Hosted on February 16, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) provided an information session on  Canada's vaccine rollout. En français cliquez ici.

How the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is affecting immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport services
To manage the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Prime Minister announced travel restrictions that will limit travel to Canada. Find out how these restrictions affect immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport applications.

News Release: Government of Canada announces details for opening of 2020 Parents and Grandparents Program
Minister Mendicino announced details for the opening of the 2020 Parents and Grandparents (PGP) Program, building further on the government’s commitment to reuniting families. Over a 3-week period, from 12 p.m. EDT on October 13, 2020, to 12 p.m. EST on November 3, 2020, Canadians and permanent residents who wish to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada will have an opportunity to submit an interest to sponsor form online.

Settlement Network: Critical Services for Service Provider Organizations - March 15, 2020 - Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
IRCC released a guide defining critical and non-critical IRCC services for service provider organizations.

COVID-19 related questions - Immigration Contribution Agreement Reporting Environment (iCARE) - Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
IRCC created resource in regard to accessing iCARE during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Multi-lingual Resources

COVID-19 Multilingual Resources - University of British Columbia
UBC's COVID-19 Multilingual Resources includes accurate, reliable information for the multicultural community regarding the current COVID-19 crisis.

COVID-19 Resources for Sponsors and Newcomers - Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP)
Catholic Crosscultural Services' Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) has compiled a document with multi-lingual COVID-19 resources for sponsors and newcomers.

Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-Op Response
The Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-Op created resources with information on basic COVID-19 recommendations in English, Arabic, Dari, Tigrinya and Spanish.

Language Instruction

Resources for Emergency Preparedness (Moving a F2F Class Online) - #CndELTchat
This live document created March 17, 2020 includes various websites, articles, lists, platforms, courses and tools to support English language programs.

Options for Remote Teaching - SFU Centre for Educational Excellence
This list presents tools to support with transitioning to Canvas remote instruction, plus two new resources for supporting multilingual students.

New resources to support teachers and learners with Digital Literacy, COVID-19 and remote learning are being added to Tutela collections. Tutela login required.

• COVID-19 Resources This collection includes classroom resources for students and also PD resources to help teachers transition to online teaching, including recent webinar recordings.
• Digital Literacy Tools This collection of resources focuses on improving the Digital Literacy level of students and instructors.

Other

COVID-19 Analytical Snapshots - Research at a Glance
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has produced COVID-19 Analytical Snapshots, a series of 1-2 page snapshots on the latest analyses from around the world on the migration and mobility-related issues stemming from COVID-19. As well the document lists other key IOM resources regarding the COVID-19 crisis.

ISSofBC Moving Ahead Program (MAP): Virtual - Telephone Settlement Case Management Approach
ISSofBC created an approach to virtual-telephone settlement case management that includes information on a few tools that can be used.

Immigration Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) COVID-19 Communications Toolkit
This toolkit covers learnings and best practices related to communicating information concerning the COVID-19 pandemic with immigrant communities.

COVID-19 Resources and Updates - Migrant Worker Hub
To support organizations and migrant workers during the COVID-19 public health emergency, AMSSA has created a curated list of useful resources.

How the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is affecting immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport services
To manage the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Prime Minister announced travel restrictions that will limit travel to Canada. Find out how these restrictions affect immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport applications.

Employment Standards Act - Migrant Worker Hub
The Province has made two significant changes to the Employment Standards Act to better support workers both during the COVID-19 public health emergency and in the long term.

Guidance for Employers of Temporary Foreign Workers Regarding COVID-19 - Government of Canada
The Government of Canada has released a document outlining the expectations for employers regarding Temporary Foreign Workers.

• The resource is available in French: Lignes directrices pour les employeurs de TET concernant la COVID-19

ESDC Information Bulletin - April 3, 2020
Government of Canada and Government of British Columbia information and resources for individuals and organizations supporting temporary foreign workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in British Columbia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Analytical Snapshots - Research at a Glance
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has produced COVID-19 Analytical Snapshots, a series of 1-2 page snapshots on the latest analyses from around the world on the migration and mobility-related issues stemming from COVID-19. As well the document lists other key IOM resources regarding the COVID-19 crisis.

How the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is affecting immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport services
To manage the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Prime Minister announced travel restrictions that will limit travel to Canada. Find out how these restrictions affect immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport applications.

Questions & Answers relating to the management and delivery of RAP services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic - March 25, 2020 - Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
IRCC released a list of Questions and Answers regarding the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) for refugees in the context of the pandemic.

COVID-19 Measures - Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Compiled IRCC/CBSA/Border/IRB/FC/FCA/other COVID-19 policies and orders - Edelmann & Co. Law Corporation
Edelmann & Co. Law Corporation compiled information regarding refugee claimant procedures during COVID-19 from various sources.
Updated: April 10, 2020

COVID-19 Resources for Sponsors and Newcomers - Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP)
Catholic Crosscultural Services' Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) has compiled a document with multi-lingual COVID-19 resources for sponsors and newcomers.

COVID-19 Analytical Snapshots - Research at a Glance
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has produced COVID-19 Analytical Snapshots, a series of 1-2 page snapshots on the latest analyses from around the world on the migration and mobility-related issues stemming from COVID-19. As well the document lists other key IOM resources regarding the COVID-19 crisis.

How the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is affecting immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport services
To manage the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Prime Minister announced travel restrictions that will limit travel to Canada. Find out how these restrictions affect immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport applications.

News Release: Minister Mendicino announces changes to facilitate online learning for international students
Minister Mendicino announced additional measures to support international students beginning a new program online this fall with a Canadian learning institution, if their institution is offering the program online, so that they can pursue their education while ensuring everyone’s safety.

News Release: Removing barriers for international students working in essential services to fight COVID-19
To help battle the COVID-19 outbreak, starting immediately, the government will remove the restriction that allows international students to work a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session, provided they are working in an essential service or function, such as health care, critical infrastructure, or the supply of food or other critical goods.

CICAN (College & Institutes of Canada) Response to COVID-19
CICAN has created a webpage for the most up-to-date information on international students and post-secondary education.

Online Delivery and PGWP eligibility – New measures announced for international students starting in May or June - April 8, 2020 - College & Institutes of Canada
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended online delivery exemptions with respect to Post-Graduate Work Permit eligibility for international students.

International Students: Immigration and Health Insurance FAQ on COVID-19 - University of British Columbia (UBC)
UBC's Immigrant and Health Insurance FAQ page on COVID-19 provides useful information on immigration, health insurance, and work eligibility.

Are employed international students eligible for EI during COVID-19? - LowestRates.ca
A helpful blog post from LowestRates.ca on tips to get by financially during the COVID-19 pandemic.