COVID-19 Resources for Businesses
Mandatory Face Covering Bylaw remains in effect for Fort Saskatchewan
The Mandatory Face Covering Bylaw C29-20 requiring all citizens age 10 and over to wear a mask in all indoor public spaces is in effect to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. This applies to all individuals age 10 and over unless they meet exemption criteria.
The Bylaw will remain in effect until rescinded by Council or until it expires.If you have any questions or inquiries about the Bylaw, please go to fortreport.ca.
COVID-19 Update
In response to the growing COVID- 19 case numbers in Alberta, and specifically in the urban areas, on December 8 the Government of Alberta announced stronger measures aimed at bending the curve. The proposed business restrictions will be in place for 4 weeks at minimum, commencing December 13th.
The following restrictions are in effect as of December 8, 2020:
- Masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces and workplaces.
- All indoor and outdoor social gatherings are prohibited.
These restrictions are effective December 13, 2020:
- Working from home is mandatory when physical presence is not required.
- Some businesses will be required to close, reduce capacity or limit their in-person access. All previous restrictions from Nov. 27 remain in place until the new restrictions come into effect.
The full list of new mandatory restrictions is available on Alberta.ca
How to Calculate 15% Occupancy
Effective December 13, there is a new Provincial mandatory restriction relating to businesses and services. Some businesses were asked to limit their in-person access to reduce the amount of contact between people in the community, while still allowing them to offer services.
Reduced Capacity and Occupant Loads
Most retail businesses may remain open with capacity limited to 15 per cent of the occupancy set under the Alberta Fire Code or a maximum of five customers. Learn more about restricted capacity and occupant load by visiting Stronger Public Health Measures page.
What is the Approximate Restricted Capacity of my Business?
The Government of Alberta has guidance on determining restricted capacity and occupant load.
Modified Government Support Programs
You might be familiar with several of these government support programs, however many have been updated or changed since they were first announced last spring. Even if your business did not previously qualify, we strongly recommend looking through the programs again to see if you qualify now.
Government of Canada
- Support for your business:
- This tool asks businesses a series of questions to direct them towards the programs for which they are eligible.
- This tool asks businesses a series of questions to direct them towards the programs for which they are eligible.
- Managing your business during COVID-19: Financial support, loans and access to credit:
- This link has a list of active (and previous) programs available for businesses, including brand-new programs.
- This link has a list of active (and previous) programs available for businesses, including brand-new programs.
- Support for individuals
- While CERB may be complete, there are still many newly-developed programs intended to support individuals.
- While CERB may be complete, there are still many newly-developed programs intended to support individuals.
There have been questions around the level of support available to a community in lockdown vs. not in lockdown:
This applies specifically to the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS):
- The website states, “If you are eligible for the base subsidy, you may also be eligible for lockdown support if your business location is significantly affected by a public health order for a week or more.” This will likely be most relevant for businesses who must close due to the public health order.
Government of Alberta
- Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant
- While the website is not yet updated, Premier Kenny committed to increasing the amount of the grant from $5,000 to a maximum of $20,000. The application is not yet open but will open soon.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supplies
The following list are businesses that carry various types of PPE, cleaning supplies, non-medical masks, signage and plexiglas barriers, and have given their permission to be publicized to the local business community.
Please note supplies are limited and not guaranteed to be available at all times.
If you are a supplier of PPE, cleaning supplies, or other equipment that businesses will need to re-open and want to be added to this list, please email ecdev@fortsask.ca with the relevant details. This list will be updated on an ongoing basis.
PPE Suppliers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Additional active opportunities to purchase or supply PPE include:
- Alberta Bits and Pieces Program
- Federal Call to Action for Manufacturers - where Canadian manufacturers can assist Canada in meeting the need for medical supplies;
- ATB Nexus (an Alberta based procurement solution, supported by ATB Financial) can help create RFP packages and find supply chain opportunities for your business;
- Rapid Response Platform a new automated system that can match supply with demand, simplifying supplier discovery during the procurement process; and
Biz Connect Website
Biz Connect Website launched for Alberta businesses. This guidance supports sectors currently allowed to operate under public health orders:
Any questions about the Government of Alberta’s guidance for re-opening, or lifting of restrictions for businesses, can be sent to BizConnect@gov.ab.ca.
Workplace Guidance for Business Owners
This document has been developed to support all business and sectors (excluding health care settings) in reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 among workers, volunteers and patrons. This document outlines the criteria that should be addressed in individual, written workplace policies and procedures established to address the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Workplace Guidance for Business Owners
Dentons Return to Work Employer Toolkit
NAIT - Post-COVID-19 Facility Re-entry Guide
Business Owners and employees: you are not alone.
The Mental Health Help Line is available 24/7 to provide advice and referrals to community supports nearest you. Call 1-877-303-2642. Other resources include:
Crisis Services Canada
Find Your Canadian Mental Health Association | CMHA
Help in Tough Times |AHS
Calling all suppliers – Help Canada combat Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Register for the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) Unsolicited Offers Program
Business Continuity | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Employer and Employee Information | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
FAQs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Support |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Lease Holders | ||||||||||||||||||||
Reliable Sources of Information | ||||||||||||||||||||