COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, the Uptown Waterloo BIA continues to closely monitor the developments and their impact. Our first priority is to protect the health and safety of our staff, volunteers and membership.
We are continually following the advice of federal, provincial and local governments as well as Public Health. With those recommendations in mind, we are adapting our events and festivals in the best ways possible and some events may be cancelled or changed.
Check this page regularly for all news and updates.
Resources for Businesses
The following resources are specific to COVID-19. New resources (added in the last week) are indicated with an asterisk.
Health, Security & Safety
- * COVID-19 Protective Eye Wear Guidance for Non-healthcare Settings
- Free 30-minute online course on infection prevention and control provided by the Public Services Health and Safety Association
- Screening Regulations for Businesses
- Employee Screening Tool
- Customer Screening Tool
- Waterloo Region Public Health – Workplace COVID-19 Outbreak Resource Package
- Waterloo Region Public Health – Proactive Workplace Letter
- Workplace Safety & Prevention Services: 12 Ways to Prepare for a Second Wave of COVID-19
- POST Promise
- Information for the public, including information about non-medical masks: regionofwaterloo.ca/COVID19
- Non-medical mask fact sheet: regionofwaterloo.ca/NonMedicalMasks
- Ontario Workplace Safety Plan Guide
- Region of Waterloo – Guidelines for Restaurants and Food Services
- Blackberry Secure Connectivity Tools
- BMO – How to Avoid the Coronavirus Phishing Scam
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre – List of Known COVID-19 Scams
- Business Self-Security Audit – from WRPS
- Occupational Health & Safety Number – to report a health and safety incident: 1-877-202-0008
- * Other questions – Provincial Employment Standards Call Centre: webes@ontario.ca; Safety Contact Centre: webohs@ontario.ca
Mental Health Supports:
- ConnexOntario
- BounceBack Ontario
- Togetherall – Peer Support
- Mind Beacon – Guided Digital Therapy
- AbilitiCBT – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-based Counselling and Self-guided Learning
PPE Suppliers
- Reusable cloth face masks (made locally) at Zero Waste Bulk
- Counter Shields
- Free downloadable Social Distancing Signs from MinuteMan Press
- Contact them for info on other PPE like masks and hand sanitizer
- BizMask – founded by Thai Sun Owner Sunny Houmphavong – 10% off with code UPTOWNBIZ
- Masks available locally also from Mark Nunes and Kindred Spirit
- Hand sanitizer from Huether Hotel
- PPE Access
- Local PPE Suppliers
- Contagion Certification Standard for retail and office spaces
- Cober Solutions Safety Shield
- Cober Solutions Tri-Display Sanitizing Station
- Westmount Signs
- Ontario Workplace PPE Supplier Directory
Financial/Government Support
- Canada United Small Business Relief Grant
- Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington Regional Business Support Webinar with Lisa McLeod
- COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP-SB)
- COVID-19 Business Support Grants – Energy and Property Tax Rebates
- Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee
- Ontario Small Business Support Grant
- Greater KW Chamber of Commerce “Ask the Expert” Series – Accessing Government Support Programs
- Government of Canada’s Guide to Support for Businesses
- KPMG – Overview of Key Federal Credit Support Programs
- KPMG – Federal Economic and Tax/Provincial Tax Measures
- KPMG – TaxNewsFlash Canada: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
- City of Waterloo Support Our Local Economic Recovery (S·O·L·E·R) Initiative
- Video of Virtual Town Hall Meeting With Government Officials Mon. Jun. 8 (Password: 4h@$M4%!)
- Restaurants Canada New Response Handbook for Restaurants
- Regional Relief Recovery Fund
- Deloitte: COVID-19 – Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
Frequently asked questions - CRA’s Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Calculator
- Webinar Recording: Understanding & Accessing COVID-19 Government Support For Businesses
- KWCF Announces $300,000 to support COVID-19 assistance to Waterloo Region charities
- Federal Commercial Rent Abatement Strategy
- WSIB Financial Relief Package
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) Resources
- Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Program
- Federal Work-Sharing Program Information
- City of Waterloo Financial Relief Measures for Residents and Businesses
- Government Programs to Support Canadian Entrepreneurs
- Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses
- Federal Government Support Announcement
- Provincial Government Support Announcement
- COVID-19 Wage Subsidy
- How to Apply for Employment Insurance
- CCIM – Landlord Strategies for Handling Rent Relief Requests
- BDC – Support for entrepreneurs impacted by the Coronavirus COVID-19
- Facebook Small Business Grants Program
- Canada’s Regional Development Agencies – Info Sheet
Guidance Documents & Reopening Guides
Region of Waterloo:
- Patio Guidelines
- Re-opening Restaurants and Food Services
- Re-opening Personal Support Services
- Re-opening Recreational Water
Province of Ontario:
- Ontario Operational Requirements for Health Sector Restart
- Government of Ontario – A Framework for Reopening our Province: Stage One
- Detailed List of Stage One Openings
- Ontario Health and Safety Association:
Cushman-Wakefield:
- Recovery Readiness: Commercial Real Estate During a Pandemic
- Recovery Readiness: Retail Checklist
- Recovery Readiness How-to Guide for Reopening Business
- Recovery Readiness Industrial Solutions
- The Safe Six: Workplace Readiness Essentials
Workplace Safety & Prevention Service (WSPS) Post-Pandemic Business Recovery Documents:
- Post Pandemic Business Playbook(PDF) – A starter guide to restarting a Post Pandemic business.
- Pandemic Recovery-Return to Business Checklist(PDF): This checklist is intended as a self-assessment tool to assist you in ramping back up to regular business operations.
- Post Pandemic Checklist: For Businesses Operating as Usual(PDF)
- Post Pandemic Checklist: For Businesses Returning After Shutdown(PDF)
- Post Pandemic Checklist: For Businesses Returning after Working Remotely(PDF)
- COVID-19 Sector-Specific Health and Safety Guidance DocumentsCOVID-19 Workplace Safety Posters
Retail Council of Canada Recovery Guides:
Other:
- Webinar Recording: Best Practices for Waterloo Region Restaurants
- Allied Beauty Association Canada: Reopening Guide for Beauty Professionals
- Construction Industry Recovery from COVID-19: What You Need to Know
- Restaurants Canada COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Guide
- Restaurants: Our Shared Spaces – What Happens Next
- Recording from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health with their Director of the Health Buildings Program: Live Q&A regarding safely reopening workplaces
- Reopening Guides and Resources from Randstad
Business Tips
- CharityVillage Tips on Working From Home
- Communitech Resources – including tips for Working from Home
- How to Work With Remote Teams Effectively
- eBook: Taking Control of Your Cash Flow: A Financial Management Guide for Entrepreneurs
- Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Canadian Consumers – Research Presentation by CORUS Entertainment
- Consumer Trends – Bell Media Report
- Components of an Effective Marketing Plan
- Support Waterloo Eats
- Municipal World Podcast: Cities and the legacy of COVID-19
- Waterloo Region Small Business Centre FREE Webinars
- Municipal World Podcast: Helping main street businesses survive COVID-19
- Gowling: COVID-19 & Your Business
- 5 Tactics for SMBs Trying to Stay Top of Mind During COVID-19
- Blog: Tools to Help You Shift Your Business
- Toronto Region Board of Trade – Business Support Portal
- How to Apply for the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- Help My Restaurant
- Save Hospitality (Coalition of Independent Canadian Restaurateurs)
- Accelerator Centre Free Virtual Workshops
- Free Video Tools from Vidyard
- Information, Tools and Resources for Local Businesses During COVID-19
- National Crowdfunding and Fintech Association Resources and Guides for Businesses and Individuals
- Webinar: Adjusting Growth Strategy for COVID-19
- Retail Council of Canada – Resources for Retailers
Online/Social Media/Marketing
- Marketing and sales alternatives as the COVID-19 crisis continues
- 5 Easy Ways to Build Brand Awareness Using Social Media
- The Advertising Project
- RTO4/Explore Waterloo Region – Tourism Marketing & Digital Support Program
- Digital Main Street Grants
- Digital Main Street – shopHERE powered by Google
- Digital Main Street – Future Proofing Main Street
- Communitech COVID-19 “Tech Talks”
- 5 Easy Ways to Build Brand Awareness Using Social Media
- Social Guide for Businesses
- Google OnAir Virtual Workshops
- Google My Business Help – Updating Info and Temporary Closures
- Shopify Academy
- RTO4 Digital Drop-in Invite
- Government of Canada Social Media Package
- Other Resources from Shopify
- Facebook Small Business Grants Program
- Social Media Best Practices – What to Communicate Online
Posters for your business
- COVID-19 Symptoms (with Uptown branding)
- Mask By-law
- What is social distancing?
- How to stop the spread of germs
Find more posters here.
For more general and other resources, including free webinars and online workshops, see our Learning Resources for Businesses page.
Webinars & Events
Upcoming Webinars
- Tuesday, April 13
- 10:00 am – Design the Ultimate Customer Experience
- Thursday, April 15
- Monday, April 19
- Tuesday, April 20
- 7:00 pm – eCommerce Options for Small Business
- Thursday, April 22
- 7:00 pm – Grow your Brand on Instagram
- Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Free online courses and live workshops from Shopify
- Workplace Safety & Prevention Services Safety Connection Webinar Series
2021 Updates
April
- Apr 21 – Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada
- Apr 16 – Funding & COVID-19 Screening Opportunities for Your Small & Medium Businesses
- Apr 14 – Health Canada Provides Update on Safety review of AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD COVID-19 Vaccines
- Apr 7 – Ontario Enacts Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order
- Apr 1 – Ontario Implements Provincewide Emergency Brake
March
- Mar 31 – Government of Canada Invests in New Research to Address COVID-19 Variants
- Mar 29 – StaySafe™ Rapid Antigen Screening Pop-up Program Coming to Uptown
- Mar 25 – Ontario’s Action Plan Doubles Ontario Small Business Support Grant
- Mar 24 – Government of Canada Announces Extension of Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
- Mar 20 – Province to Increase Indoor Dining Capacity for Regions in Red-Control Zone
- Mar 17 – New Provincial Grant for Tourism, Culture, Sport and Recreation Organizations
- Mar 10 – Ontario Establishes Tourism Economic Recovery Task Force
- Mar 3 – Small Business Centres Ontario Launches Covid-19 Economic Recovery Network Website
February
- Feb 24 – Don’t Forget! Ontario Main Street Relief Grant Offers Small Businesses Up to $1,000 for PPE
- Feb 17 – Ontario Expands Eligibility for Main Street Relief Grant
- Feb 12 – Waterloo Moving to Red-Control Level on Tues., Feb. 16
- Feb 10 – Government of Canada Announces Interest Relief on 2020 Income Tax Debt
- Feb 3 – Government of Canada Supports Projects to Encourage Vaccine Uptake in Canada
Uptown BIA Office
During the four-week Provincial lockdown beginning April 2, BIA staff will be working remotely while regularly checking phone messages. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our office at 519-885-1921 and leave a message or email one of our staffing team.
Office hours are as follows:
Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
More COVID-19 Information
Stay up-to-date on COVID-19 in Waterloo Region, Ontario and Canada via the following websites:
2020 Updates
December
- Dec. 22 – Ontario Announces Provincewide Shutdown to Stop Spread of COVID-19 and Save Lives
- Dec. 17 – Ontario Provides More Financial Relief for Municipalities during COVID-19
- Dec. 15 – Ontario Delivers First COVID-19 Vaccine in the Country
- Dec. 10 – Medical Officer of Health Issues Instructions for Workplaces and Businesses in Waterloo Region
- Dec. 8 – Waterloo City Council Approves Reallocation of CIP Funds to Provide Waterloo Businesses with COVID-19 Support
- Dec. 3 – Federal Government Introduces Legislation to Provide Critical Support to Canadians and Businesses During the Pandemic
- Dec. 1 – Ontario Collaborates With Industry Experts to Plan the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
November
- Nov. 26 – Ontario Proposes Cap on Fees for Food Delivery Companies
- Nov. 25 – Medical Officer of Health Issues Section 22 Order for Shopping Malls and Retail Stores
- Nov. 24 – Ontario Appoints New Ministers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force
- Nov. 23 – Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy Open for Applications
- Nov. 20 – Region of Waterloo Moved to Red-Control Level
- Nov. 19 – Ontario Supporting Small Businesses with Financial Advice and Training
- Nov. 17 – Ontario Opens COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream for Municipalities
- Nov. 12 – Provincial Multi-ministry Team to Begin Visiting Businesses Nov. 16
- Nov. 10 – Ontario Government Proposing Tax Relief For Small Businesses
- Nov. 6 – Region Moving To Yellow Protect Zone
- Nov. 5 – Federal Government Highlights COVID-19 Support for Canadians
- Nov. 3 – Federal Government Announces New Measures to Help Canadian Small Businesses Access Global Markets Amid COVID-19
October
- Oct 29 – Province Proudly Promoting Ontario-Made Products to Spur Economic Recovery
- Oct 27 – Canada Emergency Business Account Now Open to Businesses Using Personal Banking
- Oct. 22 – Ontario Protects Workers, Organizations Who Make Honest Efforts to Follow COVID-19 Public Health Guidelines
- Oct 20 – Federal Government Announces Support for Small Businesses Through Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
- Oct. 15 – Ontario Hiring Hundreds More Contact Tracers and Case Managers
- Oct 13 – Federal Government Provides New Supports for Businesses
- Oct. 8 – Ontario Supporting Local Festivals and Events
- Oct. 7 – Ontario Supports Small Main Street Businesses with $60 Million in Funding through PPE Grant
- Oct. 6 – Waterloo Region Small Business Centre Re-launches Digital Service Squad
- Oct. 1 – Ontario Delivers $2.8 Billion COVID-19 Fall Preparedness Plan
September
- Sept. 29 – New Public Health Measures Implemented Provincewide to Keep Ontarians Safe
- Sept. 24 – Government of Canada Introduces Legislation to Support Canadians Through Recovery Benefits
- Sept. 22 – Ontario Limits the Size of Unmonitored and Private Social Gatherings Across Entire Province
- Sept. 17 – Prime Minister Announces Next Steps for Safe Restart Agreement
- Sept. 15 – Health Preparedness and Rebuilding the Economy Top Priorities in Ontario’s Fall Legislative Agenda
- Sept. 11 – Prime Minister Announces Support for Black Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
- Sept. 10 – Provincial Government Taking Four Week Pause on Further Loosening of Public Health Measures
- Sept. 8 – Government Announces Extension of Rent Relief for Small Businesses
- Sept. 4 – Ontario Government Protecting Laid-off Employees
- Sept. 3 – Ontario-Quebec Summit to Convene on Economic Recovery
- Sept. 1 – Federal Government Extends Application Deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
August
- August 27 – Federal Government Announces More Support for Female Entrepreneurs in Southern Ontario
- August 25 – Ontario Expands Indoor Capacity for Meeting and Event Facilities
- August 20 – Government of Canada Announces Changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) Program
- August 18 – Canada Revenue Agency opens applications for enhanced Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
- August 13 – Ontario Providing Municipalities with up to $1.6 Billion in First Round of Emergency Funding
- August 11 – Government of Canada temporarily sets a minimum unemployment rate for the Employment Insurance program
- August 6 – Investing in the Future of Ontario’s Tourism Industry
July
- July 30 – Provincial Declaration of Emergency Has Ended
- July 29 – City of Waterloo Looking for Feedback on Slow Roads and More
- July 28 – Bill C-20, Which Includes Amendments to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), Receives Royal Assent
- July 27 – Canadian Government Providing $4.28 billion for More Testing, Contact Tracing
- July 24 – Best Practices for WR Restaurants Webinar Recording Available
- July 23 – $2 Billion in Federal Funding Will be Made Available to Cities and Towns Across Canada
- July 22 – Canada Announces Creation of Essential Services Contigency Reserve Through Safe Restart Agreement
- July 21 – Government Introduces Legislation to Support Canadian Workers, Businesses
- July 20 – Federal Government Invests $9 Billion to Help Provinces and Territories Safely Restart Their Economies
- July 17 – Premier Ford Visits KW, Unveils Intellectual Property Action Plan Along with COVID-19 Research Projects
- July 16 – Ontario Extends Emergency Orders to July 29
- July 15 – WR United is Live Now
- July 14 – Region of Waterloo Virtual Public Input Meeting Jul 16
- July 13 – Mandatory Mask By-law in Waterloo Region Effective Today
- July 10 – Mandatory Mask By-law in Waterloo Region Takes Effect Monday, July 13
- July 9 – Ontario Extends Emergency Orders to July 22
- July 8 – Federal Government Provides Fiscal Snapshot
- July 7 – Region of Waterloo Council Adopts Mask By-law
- July 6 – Ontario Launches Online Training to Promote Safe Workplaces
- July 3 – Prime Minister Announces Upcoming Virtual Retreat
- July 2 – Digital Main Street Support Available Now
June
- June 30 – Ontario Encourages Support of Local Small Businesses
- June 29 – Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) Extended
- June 26 – CEBA Open for Applications Through Large Banks
- June 25 – Regional Staff to Prepare Mask By-law Options
- June 24 – Ontario Extends Declaration of Emergency to July 15
- June 23 – Region of Waterloo Public Health Virtual Town Hall Thursday, June 25
- June 22 – Waterloo Region Public Health Introduces #FaceMaskFriday
- June 19 – Ontario Releases Plan to Reopen Schools + More
- June 18 – Ontario Passes Protecting Small Business Act, Temporarily Halting or Reversing Commercial Evictions
- June 17 – Ontario Extends Emergency Orders to June 30
- June 16 – Canada & Ontario Invest in Public Transit and Active Transportation Infrastructure to Support Waterloo Region
- June 15 – Updates to CEBA, CERB + More
- June 12 – Province Launches Ontario Live to Promote and Support Tourism and Cultural Industries
- June 11 – Ontario and Canada Helping Small Businesses Go Digital with $57 Million Investment in Digital Main Street
- June 10 – City of Waterloo Recommending Extension of Outdoor Patios + More
- June 9 – Add Your Business to Local E-commerce Marketplace HeyLocal
- June 8 – Ontario Permits More Businesses and Services to Reopen on Friday
- June 5 – Federal Government Releases Updated COVID-19 Modelling and Projections
- June 4 – Take the Province of Ontario’s Economic Impacts of COVID-19 Survey + More
- June 3 – Ontario Extends Declaration of Emergency Until June 30
- June 2 – Ontario Helps Manufacturers Ramp Up Production of Personal Protective Equipment
- June 1 – Ontario Extending Infectious Disease Emergency Leave for Workers during COVID-19
May
- May 29 – Ontario Opens Up COVID-19 Testing Across the Province
- May 28 – Share Your Feedback on the CEWS
- May 27 – Ontario Extending Emergency Orders to June 9
- May 26 – Canadian Business Resilience Network Small Business Relief Fund
- May 25 – Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) Available Now
- May 22 – Ontario Unveils Program to Help Hospitality Workers and Apprentices Get Back to Work
- May 21 – Ontario Leading COVID-19 Research in Canada
- May 20 – Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) Opening May 25
- May 19 – Eligibility Criteria for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) Expanded
- May 15 – Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Will Be Extended
- May 14 – Province Announces Additional Businesses Permitted to Reopen
- May 13 – More Guides for Reopening Businesses
- May 12 – Declaration of Emergency Extended While Ontario Gradually Reopens the Economy
- May 11 – Additional Federal Support for Businesses
- May 8 – Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Extended
- May 7 – Increased Wages for Low Income Essential Workers
- May 6 – Province Confirms Retail Stores Allowed to Provide Curbside Pickup and Delivery
- May 5 – Mental Health Support for Ontarians + More
- May 4 – Ontario Increases Lab Testing + More
- May 1 – Ontario Allows Reopening of Seasonal Businesses and Some Essential Construction Projects
April
- April 30 – More Info on Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)
- April 29 – Restarting the Canadian Economy
- April 28 – Ontario Helping Businesses Overcome the Unique Challenges Created by COVID-19
- April 27 – Ontario Announces Plan to Reopen
- April 24 – Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance for Small Businesses
- April 23 – New Support for Medical Research and Vaccine Development
- April 22 – NRC IRAP Innovation Assistance Program (IAP) + More
- April 21 – Update to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
- April 20 – New Support to Protect Canadian Jobs
- April 17 – Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) + More
- April 16 – Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) Expanded – More Help for Small Businesses
- April 15 – Changes to CERB + More
- April 14 – Provincial State of Emergency to be Extended
- April 9 – Deferred GST/HST Payments + More
- April 8 – Update to Canada Wage Subsidy
- April 7 – Set Up Your CRA Business Account + More
- April 6 – Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) Available Now
- April 3 – Updated List of Essential Businesses
- April 2 – Real-time Case Updates Available from Region of Waterloo Public Health
- April 1 – Further Info on Wage Subsidy for Businesses
March
- March 31 – Wage Subsidy Increase for Businesses
- March 30 – What Learning Resources Would You Like to See?
- March 27 – Prime Minister Announces Financial Support for Small Businesses
- March 27 – Letter from OBIAA to Members and Municipal Stakeholders
- March 26 – City of Waterloo Financial Relief for Residents and Businesses
- March 25 – Message to BIA Members
- March 24 – Letters to Federal and Provincial Government
- March 23 – All Non-Essential Services to be Closed
- March 20 – A Message to Our BIA Members
- March 19 – Waterloo Regional Tourism Survey
- March 18 – Ontario State of Emergency
- March 16 – Public Health Recommendations and What the BIA is Doing