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COVID-19: Recovery and Re-opening Tracker

As Governments and businesses turn their minds toward the recovery and re-opening of the economy, our team is closely monitoring updates from governments across Canada. The following summarizes the recovery and re-opening measures which have been announced to date in each jurisdiction. We will continue to update this summary as further measures are introduced across the country.

This roundup was last updated on February 23, 2022. To see what has changed since our last update, please download our blackline, here.

Federal 

  • May 19, 2022: Canada Border Services Agency announced that as of May 20, 2022, it will resume services at most small marine vessel reporting sites (link).

  • May 18, 2022: Employment and Social Development Canada announced additional steps to deliver timely passport services for Canadians as travel restrictions ease around the world (link).

  • May 5, 2022: The Government of Canada announced that the Canada Border Services Agency will resume services and adjusts service hours at five more ports of entry effective May 11 and June 1, 2022 depending on the port (link).

  • May 2, 2022: The Government of Canada announced plans to support cultural workers in the performing arts sector who are experiencing financial hardship due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • April 28, 2022: The Government of Canada announced that the Canada Border Services Agency will resume border services at select airports beginning May 2, 2022 (link).

  • April 22, 2022: The Government of Canada announced additional easing of border measures effective April 25 (link).

  • April 20, 2022: Health Canada authorized Evusheld for the prevention of COVID-19 in immune compromised adults and children (link).

  • March 17, 2022: Health Canada authorized the use of the Moderna Spikevax (50 mcg) COVID-19 vaccine in children 6 to 11 years of age (link).

  • March 17, 2022: The Government of Canada announced that it will remove the pre-entry test requirement for fully vaccinated travelers on April 1 (link).

  • March 9, 2022: The Government of Canada announced a $1.3 million investment to strengthen the resiliency of the Indigenous tourism sector in Alberta after being hit hard by the pandemic (link).

  • March 9, 2022: The Government of Canada announced an investment of over $2.5 million to support recovery and growth in Winnipeg’s Downtown as they continue to rebuild from the effects of COVID-19 (link).

  • March 8, 2022: The Government of Canada announced that it will invest in research to ensure an equitable recovery from COVID-19 for women (link).

  • March 8, 2022: The Government of Canada announced a $3.6 million investment in projects across the Yukon to assist in job creation and economic growth post-pandemic (link).

  • March 7, 2022: The Government of Canada announced a pilot program to assist women with returning to work after the pandemic (link).

  • March 7, 2022: The Government of Canada announced management plans to prevent or limit the spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships (link).

  • March 4, 2022: The Government of Canada welcomed the Royal Assent in Parliament of Bill C-10 – An Act respecting certain measures related to COVID-19, which will provide $2.5 billion in funding and the statutory authority to purchase and distribute COVID-19 rapid tests across Canada (link).

  • March 4, 2022: The Government of Canada announced an investment in product development for PEI festivals and events in order to support Atlantic Canada’s long-term recovery from COVID-19 (link).

  • March 4, 2022: The Government of Canada announced a $26.3 million investment in 69 new research projects across the country in an effort to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on equity seeking communities (link).

  • March 3, 2022: The Government of Canada’s Bill C-12, which amends the Old Age Security Act to exclude from a person’s income any pandemic benefits to support low-income seniors, received royal assent (link).

  • March 3, 2022: The Canada Border Services Agency announced that, as part of its phased approach to easing border measures, it will adjust service hours at select airports (link).

  • February 18, 2022: The Government of Canada announced an investment of more than $10.9 million in community infrastructure projects to help Northern Ontario rebound from the effects of COVID-19 (link).

  • February 15, 2022: The Government of Canada announced that as of February 28, 2022, current border measures will be lightened, including easing on-arrival testing for fully-vaccinated travellers and adjusting the Travel Health Notice from a Level 3 to a Level 2 (link).

  • January 28, 2022: The Government of Canada provided an update on border measures. The modified pre-departure test requirements for travellers coming to Canada on direct or indirect flights from India or Morocco have been lifted. Travellers from these countries will no longer be required to obtain a valid negative pre-departure COVID-19 test from a third country. The temporary exemption from pre-entry, arrival, and Day-8 testing and quarantine requirements for residents and essential workers of British Columbia who have to travel by land to or through the United States for essential food and supplies has also ended (link).

  • December 30, 2021: The Government of Canada launched applications for the expanded Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) to better support Canadian workers in designated regions affected by lockdowns or capacity restrictions (link).

  • December 22, 2021: The Government of Canada gave Royal Assent to Bill C-2 which includes a new “Local Lockdown Program” to provide businesses that face temporary new local lockdowns with up to the maximum amount available through the wage and rent subsidy programs (link).

  • December 21, 2021: The Minister of National revenue announced further details on the Targeted COVID-19 Support Measures, including its current application periods. These are meant to ensure that the hardest-hit sectors and those most affected by the pandemic will continue to receive the support they need (link).

  • December 17, 2021: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance welcomed the Royal Assent of Bill C-2. This provides workers and businesses with help to deal with the impact of the Omicron variant including by providing for a Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit, a Local Lockdown Program, extending the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, creating a Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program, creating a Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program, and extending the Canada Recovery Hiring Program (link).

  • December 17, 2021: The Government of Canada announced support to the tourism sector to create jobs and strengthen the economy after having been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is part of Canada’s plan to support hard hit sectors (link).

  • December 7, 2021: The Government of Canada has announced that it will propose regulations under Part II of the Canada Labour Code to make vaccination mandatory in federally regulated workplaces. The regulations will come into force in early 2022 (link).

  • December 3, 2021: the Government of Canada has signed agreements with Merck and Pfizer for access to their COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments (link).

  • November 29, 2021: The Government of Canada has released two free online courses to help workplaces and employees prepare for a safe return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • November 26, 2021: The Government of Canada introduced legislation that would amend the Canada Labour Code to provide ten days of paid sick leave per year to workers in the federally regulated private sector. The legislation would also amend the Criminal Code to enhance protections for health care workers and to ensure everyone has safe and unobstructed access to health services (link).

  • November 5, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that proof of vaccination will be required for all visitors of Federal Correctional Sites starting November 15, 2021 (link).

  • November 3, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that as early as November 15, 2021, public servants who refuse to disclose their status or who are unwilling to be fully vaccinated will be placed on administrative leave without pay (link).
  • November 2, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that additional Canadian airports will be accepting international passenger flights effective November 30, 2021 (link).

  • October 29, 2021: The Government of Canada announced additional details on vaccine requirements for travel (link).

  • October 21, 2021: The Government of Canada announced details surrounding targeted COVID-19 support measures to create jobs and economic growth (link).

  • October 21, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that targeted COVID-19 support measures will be implemented to create jobs and economic growth (link).

  • October 21, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that certain COVID-19 support measures will expire on October 23, 2021. It also proposed to use its authority to provide tourism, hospitality and other hard-hit organizations with support until November 20, 2021 under two new programs: (i) the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program; (ii) the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (link).

  • October 21, 2021: The Government of Canada clarified how to use Canada’s COVID-19 proof of vaccination for travel (link).

  • October 18, 2021: The Government of Canada announced the approval of a Request for Federal Assistance to provide surge capacity support to the Northwest Territories with infection prevention and control (IPC), contact tracing, and COVID-19 testing efforts (link).

  • October 14, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has launched a new mobile app to help make workplace health and safety resources on COVID-19 accessible to workers in Canada (link).

  • October 6, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that effective October 30, 2021, it will require employers in the federally regulated transportation sector to establish mandatory vaccination policies for their employees. It will also require travellers departing from Canadian airports, travellers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains and travellers on non-essential passenger vessels on voyages of 24 hours or more, such as cruise ships, to be vaccinated (link).

  • October 6, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that federal public servants in the Core Public Administration, including members and reservists of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 15, 2021 (link).

  • August 24, 2021: The Canadian Border Services Agency announced that border services will resume at a number of small Canadian marine vessel reporting sites, airports of entry, and ferry terminals (link).
  • August 13, 2021: The Minister of Transport announced that the 26 major Canadian airports will be receiving funding for COVID-19 testing and screening infrastructure to help facilitate the safe restart of air travel in a way that limits the transmission of COVID-19 and protects travellers and workers (link).

  • August 13, 2021: The Government of Canada announced its intent to require vaccination as early as the end of September across the federal public service. For those few who are unable to be vaccinated, accommodation or alternative measures, such as testing and screening, may be determined in each situation, to protect broader public health by reducing the risk of COVID-19 (link).

  • August 13, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that more than 2000 local pharmacies have registered to distribute rapid antigen tests to small and medium-sized businesses and non-profit organizations – this includes independent pharmacies, Rexall, Sobeys and Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario (link).

  • July 19, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that on August 9, 2021, American citizens and permanent residents, who are currently residing in the United States, and have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days prior to entering Canada, will be allowed entry into the country for non-essential travel. Additionally, as of September 7, 2021, provided that the domestic epidemiologic situation remains favourable, Canada’s borders are intended to open to any fully vaccinated travelers who have completed the full course of vaccination with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Canada and who meet specific entry requirements (link).

  • July 15, 2021: The Minister of Transport announced that as of November 1, 2021, the prohibition of cruise ships in Canadian waters will no longer be in effect if operators are able to fully comply with public health requirements (link).

  • July 13, 2021: The Minister of Indigenous Services announced a contribution of $13 million toward the operation, planning and recovery of Indigenous community businesses in the Atlantic Region through the Indigenous Community Business Fund (link).

  • July 12, 2021: The Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, announced that eligible organizations can now submit applications for the new $500-million Tourism Relief Fund, designed to support the tourism sector prepare to welcome back domestic travelers and reposition Canada as a world-class destination (link).

  • July 2, 2021: The Government of Canada issued a reminder that beginning July 5, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers, arriving by land or air, who are eligible to enter Canada and who comply with specific criteria will not be required to quarantine or complete a day-8 test. In addition, fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air will not be required to stay at a government-authorized accommodation to await their on-arrival test result (link).

  • June 23, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that it launched the $500 million Canada Community Revitalization Fund to drive post-COVID-19 recovery (link).

  • June 17, 2021: The Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry announced an investment of up to $28.99 million in Meltech Innovation Canada Inc. as part of a $38.754-million project to increase the resilience of Canada’s supply of critical personal protective equipment (link).

  • June 11, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that it plans to invest nearly $1.1 million in nine Ontario projects through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Ontario is contributing over $270 thousand. The projects are designed to help communities implement COVID-19 safety measures and support a strong recovery (link).

  • June 10, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that it plans to invest over $6.3 million in four public facilities in PEI, through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (link).

  • June 8, 2021: The Minister of Natural Resources announced an investment of over $1.2 million in two initiatives that will help the fish and seafood processing sector in Newfoundland and Labrador enhance COVID-19 safety measures and ensure its continued economic viability (link).

  • June 7, 2021: The Government of Canada announced it will invest over $12 million in Northern Ontario municipalities through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $3 million. The funding will support the rehabilitation of water and wastewater infrastructure, repairs to municipal public works buildings and fire halls. Additional investments will support upgrades to parks, recreational facilities and active transportation networks of multi-use paths and trails (link).

  • May 31, 2021: The Government of Canada announced it will invest in projects including the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) to improve access to services for persons with disabilities in the Windsor region who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 (link).

  • May 31, 2021: The Government of Canada announced it will support new technology to make electronic payment terminals accessible to persons with visual disabilities to “build back better” from the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • May 26, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that eight small and medium-sized Canadian companies will receive funding for projects that will support a resilient economy and help finish the fight against COVID-19 (link).

  • May 26, 2021: The Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island announced an investment in provincial infrastructure to respond to the impacts of COVID-19 (link).

  • May 20, 2021: The Minister of Finance announced a one-year extension of draft regulations, initially released on July 2, 2020, to help employers who sponsor a registered pension plan (RPP) or deferred salary leave plan (DSLP) manage and maintain benefits for their employees through the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • May 18, 2021: The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion launched Skills for Success, a new skills training program to help Canadians impacted by job losses during the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • May 17, 2021: The Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta announced that they are investing more than $9.1 million through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to make improvements to playgrounds, sports facilities, pathways, and trails (link).

  • May 10, 2021: The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario announced that they are investing more than $11.2 million to improve municipal and community infrastructure in the City of Ottawa (link).

  • May 7, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that Bill C-14 received Royal Assent, providing support to Canadians hit hardest by the pandemic (link).

  • May 7, 2021: The Government of Canada announced increased access to COVID-19 rapid testing for workers (link).

  • April 28, 2021: The Minister of International Development announced that Canada is providing $10 million in funding for humanitarian assistance to the Canadian Red Cross to support the Indian Red Cross Society’s response to the COVID-19 situation in India (link).

  • April 23, 2021: The Government of Canada announced its Budget 2021 plan to finish the fight against COVID-19 and ensure a robust economic recovery that is inclusive of all Canadians (link).

  • April 16, 2021: The Government of Canada announced funding for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency to operate a number of voluntary isolation sites across Saskatchewan (link).

  • March 31, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that funding of $17.8 million will be provided for the operation of a safe, voluntary isolation site for temporary foreign agri-workers in Windsor-Essex (link).

  • March 23, 2021: The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, announced $23.7 million for the Province of Ontario to operate a number of safe, voluntary isolation sites in various communities identified under Ontario’s High Priority Community Strategy (link).
  • March 22, 2021: The Department of Finance announced that the deadline for the new Canada Emergency Business Account application will be extended from March 31 to June 30, 2021 (link).

  • March 3, 2021: The Department of Finance announced that the current rate structures for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy will be extended from March 14 to June 5, 2021 (link).

  • February 25, 2021: In response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada announced proposed changes to the Criminal Code in an effort to improve the effectiveness of criminal justice system (link).

  • February 25, 2021: The Department of Finance released draft legislative proposals that would increase accessibility of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (link).

  • February 19, 2021: The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion announced the Government of Canada’s intent to introduce regulatory and legislative amendments to increase the number of weeks of benefits available for the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) and Employment Insurance (EI) regular benefits (link).

  • February 9, 2021: The Minister of Health and the Minister of Digital Government announced updates to the COVID Alert app, to help measure its uptake, performance and effectiveness in limiting the spread of COVID-19. User statistics are expected to be published here in spring 2021 (link).

  • February 9, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that applications for the first round of funding for projects under the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative are now open (link).

  • February 9, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that self-employed individuals who applied for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and would have qualified based on their gross income will not be required to repay the benefit, provided they also met all other eligibility requirements (link).

  • January 29, 2021: The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, announced EI regulations will be amended to temporarily waive the waiting period for EI claimants who establish a new claim between January 31, 2021, and September 25, 2021 (link).

  • January 22, 2021: The Government of Canada announced the deployment of two federal Mobile Health Units to Ontario, to help relieve pressure on the Province’s hospital capacity (link).

  • January 15, 2021: The Government of Canada released the first report from the COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel, which identifies four priority areas for action (link).

  • January 11, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that, retroactive to January 3, 2021, all international travellers who need to quarantine upon return to Canada will not be eligible to receive support from any of the Canada Recovery Benefits for the period of their mandatory quarantine. An exception will be provided for individuals who are exempt from the mandatory quarantine requirements under the Quarantine Act (link).

  • December 23, 2020: Health Canada announced that the second COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for use (link).

  • December 21, 2020: The Canada Revenue Agency launched the Canada Emergency Subsidy Registry. This web page will allow Canadians to identify which employers are using the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy to support jobs (link).

  • December 21, 2020: The Department of Finance announced proposed temporary adjustments to the automobile standby charge due to COVID-19 lockdown and public health measures. The proposal would allow employees to use their 2019 automobile usage to determine eligibility for the reduced standby charge (link).

  • December 18, 2020: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance announced that the necessary regulatory changes have been made to raise the maximum wage subsidy rate to 75% under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. This change is applicable to the period from December 20, 2020 to March 13, 2021 (link).

  • December 15, 2020: The Minister of National Revenue announced that the home office expenses deduction will be available to more Canadians and that the process for the claiming the deduction will be simplified on 2020 tax returns (link).

  • December 15, 2020: The Canada Revenue Agency announced new positions for employer-provided benefits pertaining to commuting and home office costs for the period of March 15, 2020 to December 31, 2020 (link).

  • December 10, 2020: The Public Health Agency of Canada announced the implementation of a pan-Canadian no-fault vaccine injury support program for all Health Canada approved vaccines (link).

  • December 10, 2020: The Government of Canada introduced legislation that would temporarily supplement provisions of the Canada Elections Act and mitigate potential challenges associated with administering an election during the pandemic in the event an election were to occur (link).

  • December 9, 2020: Health Canada announced that the first COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for use (link).

  • December 7, 2020: The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development announced a new temporary support through the Canada Child Benefit for families which children under the age of six (link).

  • December 7, 2020: The Minister of Public Services and Procurement announced that Canada will receive up to 249,000 vaccine doses in December 2020, contingent upon Health Canada’s approval of the vaccine (link).

  • December 3, 2020: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance introduced Bill C-14, which will implement measures from the Fall Economic Statement that will provide assistance to families with young children, support students, and invest in resources to protect the health and safety of Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • November 27, 2020: The Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon announced a research program that focuses on gathering the unique information needed to support Yukon’s strategic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • November 26, 2020: The Minister of Health announced $6.5 million funding for Peel Public Health to establish a safe, voluntary isolation site. This site will help Canadians in the Region of Peel who have COVID-19 or have been exposed to it have accessible accommodations to keep themselves and their community safe (link).

  • November 24, 2020: The Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Minister of Health announced that the Government of Canada has signed an agreement for an initial order of up to 26,000 doses of antibody therapy (link).
  • November 23, 2020: The Minister of National Revenue is now accepting applications for the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy for the period from September 27 to October 24, 2020 (link).

  • November 20, 2020: The Government of Canada announced that Bill C-9, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy), received Royal Assent. The measures adopted are the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, new Lockdown Support under the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, and the extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy until June 2021 (link).

  • November 10, 2020: The Government of Canada announced that it will purchase 7.6 million antigen rapid tests to ensure Canadians can quickly and easily access COVID-19 testing (link).

  • November 6, 2020: The Government of Canada released guidelines on the safe restoration of court operations in northern, remote, and Indigenous communities (link).

  • November 2, 2020: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance introduced Bill C-9, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy), which would implement new, targeted support to help hard-hit businesses (link).

  • November 2, 2020: The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced today that the Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program will be extended until November 30, 2020 (link).

  • October 28, 2020: The Chief Public Health Officer of Canada released the Report on the State of Public Health in Canada in 2020 – From Risk to Resilience: An Equity Approach to COVID-19, which called for action in three key areas: (i) sustained leadership and governance at all levels for structural change, (ii) harnessing the power of social cohesion, and (iii) strengthened public health capacity (link).

  • October 26, 2020: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance announced that as early as October 26, 2020, the Canada Emergency Business Account will be available to businesses that have been operating out of a non-business banking account (link).

  • October 23, 2020: The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion announced the deadline to apply for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) to receive the one-time payment has been extended from September 25, 2020 to December 31, 2020 (link).

  • October 13, 2020: The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has launched a new customizable tool kit resource to help workplaces across Canada operate safely and prevent the spread of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic (link)

  • October 13, 2020: The Minister of National Revenue opened the application process for the Canada Recovery benefit (link)

  • October 8, 2020: The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister announced the government’s intention to introduce new targeted supports for the hardest-hit businesses. The proposed legislation would include a new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, a top up to the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, extending the Canada Emergency Wage subsidy until June 2021 and expanding the Canada Emergency Business Account (link).

  • October 6, 2020: The Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Minister of Health announced that the Government of Canada has signed a new agreement to purchase up to 20.5 million COVID-19 rapid tests (link).

  • October 5, 2020: The Government of Canada announced that applications for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit are now available and that applications for the Canada Recovery Benefit will open October 12, 2020 (link).
  • October 5, 2020: The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food announced that applications for the Emergency On-Farm Support Fund are now open for some provinces (link).
  • October 2, 2020: The Government of Canada announced that the Fish Harvester Benefit and Grant Program has been extended until October 19, 2020 (link).
  • October 2, 2020: The Government of Canada announced that the COVID-19 Response Measures Act received Royal Assent (link).
  • September 29, 2020: The Documentary Organization of Canada released an online guide, Documentary Production in the Era of COVID 19: Best Practices by and for Documentary Filmmakers, which is aimed at helping filmmakers safely navigate working in the context of COVID-19 (link).

  • September 25, 2020: The Government of Canada released a reminder about the transition from CERB to a more flexible EI program, which is scheduled to occur on September 27, 2020 (link).

  • September 24, 2020: The Government of Canada introduced Bill C-2, which if passed as drafted, will create three new temporary Recovery Benefits for Canadians who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19 (link).

  • September 24, 2020: As part of Bill C-2, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion announced proposed amendments to the Canada Labour Code to ensure that federally regulated employees have access to job protected leave of absences (link).

  • September 24, 2020: The Government of Canada announced its intention to amend and extend the application of the Public Health Event of National Concern Payments Act (PHENCPA), as part of Bill C-2 (link).

  • September 17, 2020: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued a reminder to all travelers who are celebrating the upcoming holidays of Rosh Hashanah (September 18 to 20, 2020) and Yom Kippur (September 27 and 28, 2020), that travel restrictions are still in place at all Canadian international border crossings including land, marine, air and rail ports of entry (link).

  • September 15, 2020: Canada’s Minister of Transport released the 2020 edition of Transport Canada’s Emergency Response Guidebook which is a joint publication by Transport Canada, the United States Department of Transportation, the Secretariat of Transport and Communications of Mexico and the CIQUIME (Centro de Informaciòn Quìmica para Emergencias) of Argentina (link).

  • September 15, 2020: The Government of Canada announced new COVID-19 measures for youth and students which will support Canada’s economic recovery and future growth by providing young Canadians with the supports they need to stay in school and gain meaningful work experience for their long-term goals (link).

  • September 8, 2020: The Government of Canada announced a one-month extension to the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program (CECRA) to help small businesses pay September rent (link).

  • August 31, 2020: The Government of Canada announced that the application deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) has been extended from August 31 to October 31, 2020.

  • August 14, 2020: The Government of Canada released Canada’s Flight Plan for safe air travel (link).

  • July 8, 2020: Service Canada announced the gradual and safe reopening of in-person locations across the country (link).

  • June 30, 2020: The Canada Border Services Agency has reminded all travelers that travel restrictions remain in place until July 21, 2020 at the earliest (link).
  • June 17, 2020: Parks Canada announced that camping will resume gradually at a number of national parks and national historic sites starting on June 22, 2020 (link).
  • June 10, 2020: The Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade announced that the Government has partnered with the People Outside Safely Together Promise program, an intitiative launched by Canadian private sector organizations to help businesses across the country reopen safely (link).
  • June 9, 2020: The Government of Canada launched a new web hub to bring together available resources for organizations buying and selling personal protective equipment (link).
  • May 20, 2020: Canada’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, announced a new recommendation that Canadians wear non-medical face masks when in public and physical distancing may not be possible (link).

  • May 15, 2020: The Government of Canada launched Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2020, a job bank for young people (link).

  • May 14, 2020: Parks Canada will gradually resume some operations at certain national parks, national historic sites, historic waterways, and national marine conservation areas starting June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 8, 2020: The Canadian Department of Justice established an Action Committee on Court Operation in Response to COVID-19 which will focus on developing court-specific health and safety guidelines (link).

  • May 4, 2020: The Government of Canada created the COVID-19 Supply Council to advise the government on the procurement of critical goods and services required as part of Canada’s COVID-19 response and recovery (link).

  • April 24, 2020: The Government of Canada released a backgrounder on the fundamentals of return to work plans (link).

British Columbia

  • May 6, 2022: The Provincial Health Officer repealed the Order entitled Industrial Projects within the Northern Health Authority Region (link).

  • April 7, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced that the hospitality sector can make temporary service areas permanent as they recover from the pandemic (link).

  • April 4, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced extended pandemic relief funding to strengthen public transit services (link).

  • April 1, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced that certain requirements for proof of vaccination and business safety plans will end on April 8, 2022 (link).

  • April 1, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced a $12.4 million fund to the BC Arts Council to support artists and organizations affected by COVID-19 (link)

  • March 30, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced that the Temporary Foreign Worker Quarantine Program will end on Thursday, March 31, 2022 (link).

  • March 24, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced a $34-million fund to provide support for non-profit organizations affected by COVID-19 (link).

  • March 21, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced that, beginning March 21, 2022, rapid antigen test kits would be available to people aged 30 years and older through community pharmacies (link).

  • March 17, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced economic supports for people, British Columbia businesses and communities in response to COVID-19 (link).

  • March 15, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced that starting March 15, 2022, rapid antigen test kits will be available through community pharmacies to people aged 40 and older.

  • March 11, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced updates to their province-wide restrictions, removing visitor limits on long-term care and seniors’ assisted living facilities; removing required proof of vaccination to access business, events and services; removing mask requirements in indoor public settings; and removing capacity restrictions on personal gatherings, organized gatherings and events, worship services, exercise and fitness facilities, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs (link).

  • March 11, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced that it has repealed its previous order on Overnight Camps for Children and Youth (link).

  • March 10, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced that its mask mandate is repealed effective March 11, 2022 at 12:01 am (link).

  • March 10, 2022: The Government of British Columbia released a new Provincial Health Order removing restrictions on food and liquor serving premises (link).

  • March 10, 2022: The Government of British Columbia released a new Provincial Health Order reducing restrictions on workplaces (link).

  • March 7, 2022: The Office of the Provincial Health Officer has posted a new provincial health order requiring the reporting of health-care professionals’ COVID-19 vaccination status (link). The Order of the Provincial Health Officer can be accessed here.

  • March 4, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced that, beginning March 7, 2022, rapid antigen test kits will be available through community pharmacies to people aged 60 and older (link).

  • February 15, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced that, as of February 16, 2022 at 11:59 p.m., restrictions on personal gatherings, organized gatherings and events, nightclubs, bars and restaurants, exercise and fitness, and adult sport tournaments will be lifted (link).

  • February 10, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced that business events and workforce support initiatives in the tourism sector will receive more than $9.3 million over the next two years as part of the Tourism Recovery Initiatives Action Plan (link).

  • February 3, 2022: The Government of British Columbia updated its guidance for visitors of long-term care and senior’s assisted living homes. Visitors are restricted to essential visits and visits from single designated visitors, as defined in the guideline. (link)

  • February 1, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced the distribution of further pandemic supports for the K-12 sector with 300,000 rapid antigen test kits to be delivered in phases (link).

  • January 27, 2022: The Provincial Health Officer issued an order regarding gatherings and events (link).

  • January 27, 2022: The Ministry of Health issued guidance on indoor exercise, fitness, and dance class facilities (link).

  • January 26, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced the distribution of 250,000 rapid antigen tests to government-funded child care providers throughout British Columbia for use by child care professionals with COVID-19 symptoms (link).

  • January 25, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced that sport tournaments for children and youth will resume effective Feb. 1, 2022. The prohibition on adult tournaments will continue to be in effect (link).

  • January 20, 2022: The Government of British Columbia announced 200,000 rapid antigen test kits are being shipped to the K-12 sector for use by staff, teachers and administrators with symptoms of COVID-19 (link).

  • January 20, 2022: The Provincial Health Officer issued an order on workplace safety (link).

  • January 20, 2022: The BC Centre for Disease Control issued a public health guidance for child care settings (link).

  • January 19, 2022: The Government of British Columbia repealed an order regarding gatherings and events for the Northern Health Authority (link).

  • January 19, 2022: The Ministry of Health issued a guidance on indoor exercise, fitness, and dance class facilities (link).

  • January 17, 2022: The Provincial Health Officer issued an order on gatherings and events (link).

  • January 17, 2022: The Provincial Health Officer issued an order on restaurants, pubs, bars and nightclubs (link).

  • December 23, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced a new one-time relief grant of up to $10,000 for businesses that were mandated to temporarily shut down through public health orders (link).

  • December 9, 2021: The Government of British Columbia replaced an order regarding gatherings and events for the Northern Health Authority (link).

  • December 3, 2021: The Government of British Columbia replaced an order requiring face coverings in indoor public spaces (link).

  • December 3, 2021: The Government of British Columbia repealed an order and varied an order regarding gatherings and events (link).

  • December 1, 2021: The Government of British Columbia repealed an order regarding gatherings and events for the Interior Health Authority (link).

  • November 12, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced an update to the orders pertaining to gatherings and events, and food and liquor serving premises regarding proof of vaccination (link).

  • November 12, 2021: The Government of British Columbia released the public guidelines for the request for reconsideration (exemption) process for proof of vaccination (link).

  • November 12, 2021: The Government of British Columbia released the public form for the reconsideration (exemption) process for proof of vaccination (link).

  • November 1, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced its finalized workplace proof of vaccination policy (link).

  • October 29, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that the federal proof of vaccination for travellers program is now available to British Columbians (link).

  • October 29, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced an extension of its mask mandate for all indoor public spaces that was previously set to expire October 31, 2021 (link).

  • October 25, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced new requirements for food and liquor serving premises (link).

  • October 22, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced new guidelines to support school boards and independent school authorities in their decisions on implementing vaccine requirements for their employees (link).

  • October 19, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that effective October 25, 2021, capacity restrictions will ease in certain areas (link).

  • October 18, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that capacity limits will start lifting as two-dose vaccination requirements begin (link).

  • October 5, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that by November 22, 2021, COVID-19 vaccination will be a requirement for all British Columbia public service employees (link).

  • October 1, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that approximately 50 new shelter spaces across Victoria will be opened in the coming weeks to ensure there is enough capacity for homeless people who need a place to self-isolate or recover from COVID-19 (link).

  • September 26, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced the extension of the order capping fees charged by food delivery services (link).

  • September 25, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that effective September 27, 2021 the BC Vaccine Card will be the only acceptable proof of vaccination for British Columbians to enjoy certain businesses and recreational events (link).

  • September 15, 2021: The Government of British Columbia released guidance on the valid contraindications and deferrals to vaccinations (link).

  • September 10, 2021: The Government of British Columbia updated the Public Health Order regarding Events and Gatherings to reflect the new capacity allotments and Proof of Vaccination requirements (link).

  • September 10, 2021: The Government of British Columbia updated the Public Health Order regarding Food and Liquor Serving Premises to reflect the Proof of Vaccination requirements (link).

  • August 30, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that it will start a phased approach to repatriating housekeeping and food-service contracts to work directly for health authorities (link).

  • August 27, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that it is providing up to $12.9 million in one-time grants to eligible community event organizers to support their efforts to resume safely (link).

  • August 27, 2021: The Government of British Columbia updated their guidelines for indoor exercise (link)

  • August 16, 2021: The Government of British Columbia has updated the guidelines for food and liquor serving premises (link).

  • July 5, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that in-person learning at post-secondary institutions will resume this fall, informed by the release of new Return-to-Campus Guidelines (link).

  • June 29, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that with British Columbians achieving nearly 80% adult Dose 1 vaccine coverage and COVID-19 case counts continuing to decline, the province is safely moving to Step 3 of its four-step restart plan on July 1, 2021 (link).

  • June 15, 2021: The Government of British Columbia updated the public health regulations on gatherings and events, relating to indoor/ outdoor worship services and indoor exercise requirements (link), as well as the public health regulations on food and liquor serving premises (link).

  • June 15, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that, in order to support the hospitality industry in the province, the more than 2000 temporary patios authorized to serve liquor during the COVID-19 pandemic can apply to become permanent under amended provincial liquor regulations (link).

  • June 14, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that for the second consecutive year, the province is waiving the income requirements for existing B.C. farm operations when qualifying for farm classification (link).

  • June 6, 2021: The Government of British Columbia updated the public health regulations on gatherings and events, relating to indoor and outdoor worship services (link).

  • June 4, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that it plans to provide additional funding to keep the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant operating until July 1, 2021 – the expected start of Step 3 of BC’s Restart plan (link).

  • May 28, 2021: The Government of British Columbia updated the public health regulations on gatherings and events (link).

  • May 26, 2021: The Government of British Columbia updated the public health regulations on gatherings and events (link).

  • May 25, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that the province is moving forward with the cautious first step of a four-step plan for a careful and safe restart (link).

  • May 7, 2021: The Minister of Poverty Reduction and Social Development announced that people facing food insecurity in B.C. will benefit from new government funding for community-based programs (link).

  • March 23, 2021: The Government of British Columbia updated the public health regulations on outdoor worship services (link).

  • March 17, 2021: The Government of British Columbia expanded support to more businesses through the Launch Online Grant program (link).

  • March 12, 2021: The British Columbia provincial health officer has conditionally approved the British Columbia Hockey League’s safe return to play for a limited season starting in April (link).

  • March 11, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced that it will transition into Phase 2 of COVID-19 immunization plan (link).

  • March 4, 2021: The Government of British Columbia extended the deadline for the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program from March 31, 2021 to August 31, 2021 (link).

  • March 2, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced reopening measures that will come into effect at 12:01 am on March 5, 2021 and will expire on March 25, 2021 (link).

  • February 23, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced the launch of the Rural Economic Recovery program to provide grants to support rural communities affected by COVID-19 (link).

  • February 5, 2021: The Government of British Columbia announced the launch of the Skills Training for Economic Recovery program to support people affected by COVID-19 (link).

  • December 22, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announced an Emergency Program Act order, which will place a temporary cap on fees charged to restaurants from food delivery companies to 15%. An additional cap of 5% is also included for other related fees associated with use of the service (link).

  • December 21, 2020: The Government of British Columbia enhanced the Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant program to make it easier for businesses to qualify (link).

  • December 18, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announced that applications for the BC Recovery Benefit are now open (link).

  • December 14, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announced that business, recreation centres, or other organizations that organize or operate low intensity group fitness activities, may resume activities provided they follow certain guidelines (link).

  • December 8, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announced that applications for the BC Recovery Benefit will open December 18, 2020 (link).

  • November 9, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announced that it is extending the freeze on rent increases until July 10, 2021 under the powers of the Emergency Program Act and COVID-19 Related Measures Act (link).

  • September 18, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announced rent relief measures for outdoor adventure operators (link).

  • September 18, 2020: The Government of British Columbia appointed ten businesses and industry leaders to a task force focused on reigniting BC’s tourism sector (link).

  • September 17, 2020: The Government of British Columbia released a new economic recovery plan (link).

  • September 9, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announced it will invest $1.6 billion in a fall and winter COVID-19 preparedness plan aimed at providing support to seniors in long-term care and assisted-living facilities, ensuring greater access to the flu shot, and reducing the chance of transmission of COVID-19 in hospitals (link).

  • September 3, 2020: The Government of British Columbia will receive additional federal funding to support a safe restart for BC schools, which will allow schools to expand health and safety measures, purchase more PPE and increase capacity for remote learning (link).

  • September 2, 2020: The Government of British Columbia delayed implementation to April 2021 for changes to provincial sales and carbon tax (link).

  • August 26, 2020: The Ministry of Education unveils back to school plans for K-12 families for all 60 school districts (link).

  • August 17, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announces updated health and safety guidelines for schools, which require masks to be worn by staff, middle and secondary students in high traffic areas or anytime outside of their learning group whenever physical distancing is not possible (link).

  • August 12, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announces hundreds of contact tracers to be hired in the province (link).

  • August 12, 2020: In order to ensure that schools are ready to welcome students in September 2020, the Government of British Columbia announced that there will be a gradual restart to the school year in order to allow for extra time to orient students and staff on the new health and safety measures in place (link).
  • July 30, 2020: Most students in grades K-12 will return to school on Sept. 8, 2020, with full-time in-class learning as the province moves to Stage 2 of B.C.’s Education Restart Plan (link).

  • June 25, 2020: Residents of British Columbia will begin the next phase of the Restart Plan with a gradual transition to Phase 3, which includes the safe and respectful return of travel and tourism within the province (link).

  • June 11, 2020: The Government of British Columbia has created a ministerial order that protects amateur sport organizations, their employees and volunteers from COVID-19 related liability (link).
  • May 30, 2020: Kindergarten to Grade 12 schools will re-open to in-class learning on June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 28, 2020: The Government of British Columbia continues to assess health and safety measures in courthouses with the expectation that a limited number of courtrooms will open in the next few weeks (link).

  • May 28, 2020: The Government of British Columbia launched the B.C. Farm, Fish and Food Job Connector (link).

  • May 25, 2020: Residents of British Columbia may now make camping reservations for campgrounds set to open on June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 22, 2020: The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation branch (LCRB) will now permit food-primary, liquor-primary and manufacturer licensees, such as wineries, breweries and distilleries, to apply through a simplified online process to temporarily expand their service areas to accommodate physical distancing (link).

  • May 16, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announced that businesses may begin to safely re-open starting May 19, 2020 (link).

  • May 15, 2020: The Provincial Health Officer made an order allowing owners and operators of places at which food and drink are served to begin providing services again, subject to certain conditions (link).

  • May 15, 2020: The Government of British Columbia released a set of WorkSafeBC guidelines to help businesses and organizations develop their plans to re-open safely (link).

  • May 15, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announced that agriculture, seafood, and food processing businesses can begin to access consulting and planning services to help with COVID-19 response and recovery through the Agri-Business Planning Program (link).

  • May 15, 2020: The Government of British Columbia will gradually re-open schools starting June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 14, 2020: Effective May 19, 2020, the Provincial Health Officer cancelled the order that all personal services establishments must close made April 16, 2020 (link).

  • May 13, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announced $300,000 in Buy BC e-commerce funding to help farmers and food beverage processors overcome some lost sales during the COVID-19 pandemic by moving their products online (link).

  • May 13, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announced support for oil and gas service companies to clean up the environment and help restart the economy (link).

  • May 7, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announced that Phase 2 of the Restart Plan is scheduled to begin after the May long weekend (link).

  • May 7, 2020: The Government of British Columbia launched a renewal plan for surgeries that were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • May 6, 2020: The Government of British Columbia announced the province’s Restart Plan, which will begin mid-May (link).

  • May 4, 2020: The Government of British Columbia extended the temporary layoff period from 13 weeks to 16 weeks to permit employers to quickly resume operations when the health emergency ends (link).

  • May 1, 2020: The Government of British Columbia deferred renewal fees for liquor licencees experiencing financial hardship until September 30, 2020 (link).

  • April 30, 2020: The British Columbia provincial court will take steps towards re-opening (link).

  • April 30, 2020: The Government of British Columbia released interim guidance to operators of hotels, motels, hostels, inns and other forms of travel accommodation for preventing the transmission of COVID-19 (link).

  • April 29, 2020: Premier John Horgan and public health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry have discussed re-opening the economy by mid-May, however plans have not yet been announced as the province continues to monitor COVID-19 developments.

Alberta

  • April 8, 2022: The Government of Alberta announced plans to further address the challenges that hinder women from fully taking part in the province’s economic recovery and growth (link).

  • April 7, 2022: The Government of Alberta announced that a record number of students will receive the Women in STEM Scholarship this year as part of the province’s recovery plan (link).

  • April 6, 2022: The Government of Alberta announced expanded eligibility for fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine and Paxlovid treatment to protect those most at risk from severe outcomes (link).

  • March 8, 2022: The Government of Alberta has announced that all youth aged 12-17 are now eligible to receive a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine beginning March 14, as long as a minimum of five months have passed since their second dose (link). 

  • March 8, 2022: The Government of Alberta announced that, effective March 10 at 4 pm, Alberta Health Services will no longer require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or regular rapid testing of its current workers (link).

  • March 2, 2022: The Government of Alberta announced it will be adding 50 permanent fully staffed ICU beds resulting from a $100 million investment (link).

  • March 1, 2022: The Government of Alberta announced that it has ended limits on social gatherings, capacity limits for large venues, remaining school requirements, screening of youth for activities, the mandatory work-from-home order and public masking requirements except in high-risk settings including on public transit, at Alberta Health Services-operated and contracted facilities and all continuing care settings (link).

  • February 8, 2022: The Government of Alberta announced that it will begin a three-step plan to phase out public health measures starting on February 8, 2022. The first step will see the removal of the Restrictions Exemption Program and capacity limits on venues under 500 capacity lifted (link).

  • December 28, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that it is allowing eligible accommodation providers to keep the tourism levy amounts they collect from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 (link).

  • November 23, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that Albertans planning to travel can download an updated vaccine record with a QR code to use within and outside Canada on November 24, 2021 (link).

  • November 22, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that Alberta Emergency Management Agency is distributing surplus PPE to expanded non-health-care organizations across Alberta, while retaining a 60-day stockpile of PPE for future public health emergencies (link).

  • November 12, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that previous Alberta immunization records without a QR code, including ones from vaccine providers and those saved from MyHealth Records, will no longer be accepted as proof of vaccination by the program effective November 15, 2021 (link).

  • November 8, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that in an effort to support Alberta’s Recovery Plan, almost $35 million in funding will be directed to licensed child care programs to help recruit and keep skilled educators, as well as to provide funding for COVID relief (link).

  • October 19, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced the strengthening of health measures for continuing care facilities (link).
  • October 12, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that businesses and organizations can begin using the free AB Covid Records Verifier app to verify COVID-19 vaccinations (link).

  • September 28, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced the extension of legislation to ensure safe access to hospitals and other health facilities during protests (link).

  • September 20, 2021: The Chief Medical Officer of Health announced that proof of vaccination will not be required for youth under 18 participating in sport, recreation and performance activities (link).

  • September 20, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that fully vaccinated individuals or those with a recent negative privately paid COVID-19 test are now able to safely access participating businesses and events across the province (link).

  • September 14, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that Albertans with be able to get a new card-sized COVID-19 Vaccination record starting September 16 (link).

  • September 9, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that there will be additional funding given to increase health-care capacity in preparation of the fourth wave (link).

  • August 13, 2021: The Government of Alberta released the 2021-22 school year plan and health guidance highlights which includes daily screening for COVID-19 symptoms. It also provides that masking will not be provincially required in school settings for any age group, except on school buses (link).

  • July 23, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that the deadline for applications by employers on behalf of their employees for the Critical Worker Benefit, has been extended until August 31, 2021 (link).
  • July 13, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that it will adopt a two-phase approach for easing the remaining restrictions in continuing care facilities. Facility operators have until July 31 to fully implement the first phase of adjustments (link).

  • July 1, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that Alberta is officially open for summer with virtually all COVID-19 restrictions lifted (link).

  • June 18, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that Alberta has reached its final Open for Summer threshold, triggering a two-week waiting period before Stage 3 begins on July 1, 2021 (link).

  • June 9, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that as part of Stage 2 of Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan, museums and archives can open to the public at reduced visitor capacity (link).

  • June 9, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that beginning June 10, Stage 2 of the Open for Summer Plan will take effect (link).

  • June 1, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that Stage 1 measures for its Open for Summer Plan are effective immediately. Therefore, outdoor gatherings can involve up to 10 people; outdoor patio dining can resume with a maximum of four people per table; outdoor physical, performance and recreational activities are allowed for up to 10 people; retail can increase to 15% capacity; personal and wellness services can open by appointment; and wedding and funeral ceremonies can have up to 10 and 20 people, respectively (link).

  • June 1, 2021: Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation, has met with almost 50 chambers of commerce and industry associations across the country to discuss how to create jobs and facilitate an economic rebound (link).

  • May 28, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced a plan to provide up to $45 million in new funding to jump-start targeted supports for students who require extra help with literacy and numeracy after two school years of pandemic-impacted learning (link).

  • May 26, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan, which will remove provincewide health measures in three stages as vaccine targets are reached and hospitalizations decline (link).

  • May 20, 2021: The Minister of Education announced that students across Alberta will return to their classrooms on May 25 as planned, except for students in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (link).

  • May 12, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced a partnership with Alberta Chambers of Commerce to make it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to access rapid testing kits (link).

  • April 27, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that businesses and service providers that want to access free rapid tests from the government will no longer be required to have a health-care provider oversee their screening program (link).

  • April 21, 2021: The Government of Alberta passed Bill 71: Employment Standards (COVID Vaccination Leave) Amendment Act, 2021, to provide individuals up to three hours of paid, job-protected leave to receive each COVID-19 vaccine (link).

  • March 23, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that it is offering millions of free rapid testing kits to public, private and not-for-profit employers and service providers province wide (link).

  • March 19, 2020: The Minister of Advanced Education issued a statement encouraging post-secondary institutions and students to prepare for a full return to on-campus learning in September (link).

  • March 16, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced that community physicians will be joining the effort to administer COVID-19 vaccines starting in April, 2021 (link).

  • March 12, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced a new literacy program to address COVID-19 learning loss for kindergarten to Grade 3 students (link).

  • March 8, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced the easing of health restrictions for retail, hotels, community halls, performance groups, and youth sports, performance and recreation (link).

  • March 1, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that the province will transition into step two of the four-step reopening framework, while maintaining strong measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 (link).

  • February 24, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced the new Working Parents Benefit, a one-time payment to help with the costs of child care to help alleviate financial pressures during COVID-19 (link).

  • February 8, 2021: The Government of Alberta started Step 1 of Alberta’s four-step framework to ease restrictions (link).

  • February 4, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced applications for businesses eligible under the expanded Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant are now open. Applications will be open until March 31, 2021 (link).

  • January 29, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that the province will move to Step 1 of Alberta’s four-step framework to ease COVID-19 restrictions on February 8, 2021. Step 1 will involve the potential easing of restrictions related to: indoor and outdoor children’s sport and performance (school-related only); indoor personal fitness, one-on-one and by appointment only; and restaurants, cafes, and pubs (link).

  • January 14, 2021: The Government of Alberta expanded the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant, allowing new businesses to apply (link).

  • January 14, 2021: The Government of Alberta eased restriction for outdoor gatherings, personal services, and funeral attendance effective January 18, 2021 (link).

  • January 7, 2021: The Government of Alberta announced that all students will return to in-person learning on January 11, 2021 (link).

  • December 21, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced that all travellers returning from the U.K. in the last 14 days, whether symptomatic or not, are strongly encouraged to get a COVID-19 test (link).

  • December 17, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced that effective December 18, 2020, rapid testing will begin at long-term care and designated living facilities in the Edmonton Zone (link).

  • December 15, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced new programs and supports that will be available for residents in communities with high rates of COVID-19 infection and transmission. These programs and supports include self-isolation hotels and financial aid, COVID care teams, and public awareness campaigns (link).

  • December 8, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced that the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant is being expanded and increased, with a lower qualifying threshold and higher grant amounts (link).

  • November 26, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced that the province will soon begin piloting point-of-care rapid testing for COVID-19 (link).

  • September 8, 2020: Effective September 8, 2020, criminal jury selections and jury trials will resume at the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (link).

  • September 3, 2020: Hinshaw passed a CMOH order amending the requirements for residents in continuing care facilities (link).

  • September 3, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced that table games will be permitted in casinos and racing entertainment centres provided that social distancing and other health measures are respected (link).

  • August 31, 2020: Hinshaw passed a CMOH order mandating non-medical mask use for Grade 4 to 12 students, all staff, and visitors in indoor spaces including school buses and shared areas such as hallways (link).

  • August 4, 2020: Mask use for Grade 4 to 12 students and all school staff will be mandatory when school returns for the 2020-21 year (link).

  • July 22, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced that students will return to learning in classrooms for the 2020-21 school year (link).

  • July 5, 2020: Distribution of free non-medical masks through certain restaurants will resume on July 13, 2020 (link).

  • June 30, 2020: Effective June 30, 2020 the outdoor gathering limit has been increased from 100 to 200 people (link).
  • June 19, 2020: Bill 24, the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Statutes Amendment Act, proposes amendments that introduce new measures to support Albertans as the province continues to reopen (link).
  • June 18, 2020: Beginning June 20, 2020, various provincial historic sites will be reopening for the summer (link).
  • June 10, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced that as of June 15, 2020, pharmacists in Alberta can begin to give out larger quantities again, up to a 100-days supply (link).
  • June 9, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced that since the number of active COVID-19 cases are lower than expected, the government was accelerating the start of Stage 2 to June 12, 2020 and is moving some Stage 3 plans into Stage 2 (link).
  • June 5, 2020: Starting June 8, 2020, more drivers seeking Class 1 to 4 licenses and health-care workers seeking Class 5 advanced licenses will be able to apply for road tests at select sites across the province (link).
  • June 5, 2020: The Court of Queen’s Bench will resume Criminal Appearance Court province-wide commencing June 5, 2020 (link).
  • May 30, 2020: Calgary and Brooks will enter Stage One of Alberta’s relaunch program on June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 30, 2020: Limitation periods and time periods that were suspended on March 30, 2020 by a ministerial order will resume on June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 29, 2020: The Government of Alberta partnered with the Canada Revenue Agency to create a Common Business Number which will streamline application processes and assist in COVID-19 recovery (link).

  • May 29, 2020: The Government of Alberta partnered with certain fast food chains to distribute non-medical masks at no cost through their drive-thru locations (link).

  • May 28, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced that preschools may re-open (link).

  • May 26, 2020: The Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta will return to the legislature on May 27, 2020 (link).

  • May 22, 2020: Starting on May 25, 2020, hairstyling and barbershops will be permitted to re-open in Calgary and Brooks, and cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars can re-open for table service at 50 per cent capacity (link).

  • May 22, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced the expansion of non-urgent surgeries to include more day surgeries and those requiring an overnight stay (link).

  • May 20, 2020: The Provincial Court of Alberta has updated its plan for the staged resumption of court operations. The changes involve family mediation; the rescheduling and adjournment of provincial tickets, bylaws and other matters; and criminal adult out-of-custody criminal trials and preliminary inquiries (link).

  • May 20, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced new public health measures for international travellers, including a provincial checkpoint at the Edmonton and Calgary airports, taking temperatures with infrared cameras and an isolation questionnaire to ensure compliance with mandatory isolation requirements. Provincial officials will follow up with arriving travellers within three days (link).

  • May 15, 2020: Limits on outside gatherings which were previously restricted to 15 people have increased to a maximum of 50 people (link).

  • May 14, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced that workplaces are expected to develop and implement policies and procedures to address COVID-19, and these plans must be posted in places of business or online within seven days of the public being able to attend the business (link).

  • May 14, 2020: Stage one of Alberta’s relaunch plan began May 14, 2020 and allows for the resumption of operations in several sectors (link).

  • May 14, 2020: As part of Alberta’s relaunch plan, museums may begin to open starting May 14, 2020 (link).

  • May 11, 2020: The Alberta Biz Connect web page provides business owners with information on health and safety guidelines for general workplaces, as well as sector-specific guidelines for re-opening businesses (link).

  • May 11, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced that criminal matters, pre-trial conferences and pre-preliminary hearing conferences are now being conducted (link).

  • May 8, 2020: The Government of Alberta announced the easing of certain measures. The Government of Alberta also announced that travel to summer homes, cabins, and cottages within the province will be permitted and that outdoor gun ranges may open so long as restrictions to ensure physical distancing are followed (link).

  • May 7, 2020: The Government of Alberta released workplace guidance for re-opening businesses (link).

  • May 6, 2020: The Court of Queen’s Bench is now hearing summary dispositions virtually for civil cases where all parties consent to proceed virtually (link).

  • May 1, 2020: The Government of Alberta launched the ABTraceTogether app to assist in contact tracing while relaunching the economy. Alberta residents may voluntarily download the app (link).

  • April 30, 2020: The Government of Alberta released a phased relaunch strategy. The re-opening of things such as vehicle access to parking lots and staging areas in parks and on public lands will begin on May 1, 2020 (link).

  • April 29, 2020: The Government of Alberta will allow residents in long-term care and supportive living environments to have outdoor visits with a designated essential visitor (link).

Saskatchewan

  • April 26, 2022: The Government of Saskatchewan announced an expansion of COVID-19 booster eligibility to 50+ year olds effective April 26, 2022 (link).

  • April 21, 2022: The Government of Saskatchewan announced a new COVID-19 treatment of Remdesivir is available on an outpatient basis (link).

  • April 11, 2022: The Government of Saskatchewan announced an expansion of fourth dose booster availability beginning April 11, 2022 (link).

  • February 28, 2022: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that all public health orders would be removed (link).

  • February 14, 2022: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that eHealth Saskatchewan is in the process of decommissioning the SK Vax Verifier app. The province will continue to make proof of vaccination records available for residents for use where needed, including travel to other jurisdictions. In addition, the remaining public health orders requiring masking in indoor public spaces and mandatory five-day isolation for individuals with positive COVID-19 tests will remain in effect only until the end of day on February 27, 2022 (link).

  • February 10, 2022: The Government of Saskatchewan released its first weekly COVID-19 integrated epidemiological (EPI) report, as part of its transition to Living with COVID. The integrated EPI reports will be released weekly on Thursdays (link).

  • February 8, 2022 The Government of Saskatchewan announced it would end the provincial requirement to provide proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 tests in Saskatchewan businesses, workplaces and other public venues on Monday, February 14, 2022 at 12:01 A.M. (link)

  • February 3, 2022 The Government of Saskatchewan announced it would realign its public health strategy and resources to focus on those at highest risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. The realignment will focus testing and outbreak management to settings most at risk of severe health outcomes. (link)

  • January 27, 2022: The Government of Saskatchewan announced updates to COVID-19 self-isolation and close contact protocols. Residents who receive a positive test result on a PCR or rapid antigen test will be required to self-isolate for five days, regardless of vaccination status. Close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases will no longer be required to self-isolate, regardless of vaccination status (link).

  • January 5, 2022: The Government of Saskatchewan announced steps for schools to continue safely, including self-isolation requirements for students (link).

  • December 7, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced the SK Vax Wallet app will now support international travel (link).

  • November 30, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan released guidance on holiday gatherings (link).

  • November 25, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced a public health order regarding mandatory isolation and face covering (link).

  • November 25, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced a public health order regarding vaccination and negative testing (link).

  • November 10, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that legislation will be introduced to ensure healthcare workers, patients and families have safe access to hospitals. The legislation is also intended to expand workforce flexibility to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • October 19, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced new mandatory isolation and face covering requirements (link).

  • October 19, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan further clarified the public health order requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test (link).

  • October 15, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced a new public health order that will require proof of vaccination or a negative test in additional venues (link).

  • October 15, 2021: The Saskatchewan Health Authority announced the expanded delivery of at-home self-testing COVID-19 kits to the general public, including First Nation communities the week of October 18, 2021 (link).

  • October 1, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced amendments to the Public Employers’ COVID-19 Emergency Regulations (link).

  • October 1, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced amendments to the Employers’ COVID-19 Emergency Regulations (link).

  • September 29, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced expansion of self-testing (link).

  • September 29, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced the launch of two new applications to support proof of vaccination requirements (link).

  • September 28, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that effective October 1, 2021, proof of vaccination or a negative test result will be required for public access to a range of businesses, event venues, as well as for all Government of Saskatchewan ministry, crown and agency employees (link).

  • September 24, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that after being alerted to an issue downloading patient QR codes, the QR code is being temporarily removed from citizens’ COVID-19 vaccination records through MySaskHealthRecord (link).

  • September 20, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that COVID-19 vaccination records will be available with a QR code (link).

  • August 20, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan updated it’s long-term COVID-19 Precautions (link).

  • July 9, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that the lifting of the state of emergency and public health orders related to COVID-19, brings an end to public emergency layoff provisions. Employers will have two weeks within which to schedule an employee who has been on a temporary layoff back to work, or provide pay in lieu of notice (link).

  • July 7, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that the public health order requiring masking in indoor spaces will end, effective July 11, 2021. In addition, long-term care homes and personal care homes can allow an unlimited number of visitors and family members for their residents, although guests will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 (link).

  • June 15, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that individuals who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at the time of exposure, no longer have to isolate when named as a close contact of a positive case of COVID-19 (link).

  • June 1, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan updated its Re-Opening Roadmap to indicate that all remaining public health restrictions would be removed three weeks after 70 per cent of people age 12 and above receive their first vaccine, with at least three weeks having passed since the beginning of Step Two (link).

  • May 31, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that the province has entered Step One of their Re-Opening Roadmap. Step Two of the Re-Opening Roadmap is tentatively scheduled to begin on June 20 (link).

  • May 25, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that public health measures around outdoor sporting activities will be eased as part of Step One of the Re-Opening Roadmap, set to commence on Sunday, May 30 (link).

  • May 20, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced a plan to further ease visitor restrictions in long-term care and personal care homes in alignment with the three steps of the Re-opening Roadmap (link).

  • May 9, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced a target date of Sunday, May 30, 2021 for Step One of the Re-Opening Roadmap (link).

  • April 23, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that, starting on Thursday, April 29, long-term care and personal care homes will be able to welcome an unlimited number of family members or support people, two at a time, to visit fully vaccinated residents if at least 90 per cent of residents have been fully vaccinated and three weeks have elapsed since the last second dose vaccinations (link).

  • April 21, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced the delivery of multi-year funding investment for post-secondary education targeting COVID-19 recovery, revenue generation, sector collaboration and achieving the strategic initiatives set out in the Growth Plan (link).

  • March 9, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan amended public health measures, extending the “bubble” for indoor gatherings to up to 10 individuals in a home at any one time, and permitting worship services with limited capacity effective March 19 (link).

  • February 25, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan expanded rapid COVID-19 testing options for asymptomatic individuals (link).

  • February 25, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced the renewal of the Saskatchewan Tourism Sector Support Program (STSSP) (link).

  • February 3, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced amendments to The Employment Standards Regulations. The amendments seek to extend job protection to employees who are absent from work as a result of an illness, self-isolation or because of an underlying health condition which makes them susceptible to COVID-19 (link).

  • January 29, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan announced a further extension to the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment (SSBEP) program. Businesses will be eligible for an additional payment for January 2021 (link).

  • January 19, 2021: The Social Services Minister announced respite funding for eligible Approved Private Service Home caregivers who provide support to persons with intellectual disabilities (link).

  • January 7, 2021: The Government of Saskatchewan extended the application deadline for the Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy from December 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021 (link).

  • December 22, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan opened applications for the Strong Recovery Adaptation Rebate. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2021 (link).

  • December 7, 2020: The government of Saskatchewan announced the Strong Recovery Adaption Rebate, which will assist businesses in adapting their business model to address the challenges caused by COVID-19 (link).

  • December 4, 2020: The Saskatchewan Health Authority announced that it will be moving forward with the next phase of its surge plan to meet the anticipated demand of COVID-19 patients (link).

  • December 3, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment program is being renewed for the period of December 1 to December 31, 2020 (link).

  • November 26, 2020: The Saskatchewan Health Authority announced that it is escalating its response to the COVID-19 case surge, using the Health System Readiness Plan to contain, delay, and mitigate the virus (link).

  • November 18, 2020: The Deputy Premier and Finance Minister announced a new phase of the Saskatchewan Temporary Wage Supplemental Program (STWSP) targeted to workers in long-term care facilities, personal care homes, integrated healthcare facilities and for home care workers providing care to seniors on their own home (link).

  • September 24, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that the Saskatchewan Tourism Support Program (STSSP) will be expanded to include additional businesses and organization in the event and accommodation sectors of the program (link).

  • August 5, 2020: The Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan announced that it will re-open on August 10, 2020 (link).

  • July 22, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan announced guidelines for yard and garage sales, and door-to-door canvassing and sales as a part of phase 4 of the re-open Saskatchewan plan (link).

  • July 16, 2020: The Royal Saskatchewan Museum (RSM) will re-open its doors this Friday, July 17, 2020 (link).

  • July 13, 2020: Additional health services will resume offering services starting July 13, 2020 as outlined in Phase 3 of Re-Open Saskatchewan (link).

  • July 6, 2020: Starting August 4, 2020, the Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) will begin accepting eviction applications from landlords for non-payment of rent (link).

  • July 5, 2020: The Chief Medical Health Officer’s public health order is amended to expand visitation guidelines to facilities including acute and long-term care, personal care and group home settings starting July 7, 2020 (link).
  • June 30, 2020: Outdoor pools in Saskatchewan Provincial Parks will reopen starting July 1, 2020 (link).
  • June 30, 2020: Beginning July 6, 2020, indoor pools, indoor rinks, indoor sports and activities, and the performing arts – including music, dance, and theatre – will be able to re-open as a part of Phase 4 of Re-Open Saskatchewan. Casinos and Bingo Halls will re-open starting July 9, 2020 (link).
  • June 28, 2020: The Royal Saskatchewan Museum announced that it will not reopen immediately in order to ensure new safety and cleaning protocols are in place (link).
  • June 23, 2020: As of June 29, 2020, libraries, museums, galleries, movie theatres, and live theatres will re-open (link).

  • June 22, 2020: The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) is gradually resuming services starting this week (link).

  • June 19, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan released the Primary and Secondary Educational Institution Guidelines for the return to classroom learning in the fall (link).

  • June 11, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan has updated their guidelines for places of worship and graduation celebrations (link).
  • June 3, 2020: The Saskatchewan Health Authority is easing restrictions on visitation privileges at Saskatchewan Health Authority facilities (link).
  • May 29, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that places of worship and child care facilities can prepare to re-open for June 8, 2020 as part of Phase 3 of Re-Open Saskatchewan (link).

  • May 29, 2020: Saskatchewan provincial park campgrounds will be allowed to re-open on June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 26, 2020: The Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan will sit starting June 15, 2020 (link).

  • May 19, 2020: Phase 2 of Re-Open Saskatchewan plan begins with retail, select personal services and public markets re-opening (link).

  • May 19, 2020: The Saskatchewan Health Authority resumed some health services in varying parts of the province (link).

  • May 14, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that as of May 15, 2020, golf courses and drive-in theatres may re-open. Phase 2 of Re-Open Saskatchewan will begin on May 19, 2020 (link).

  • May 6, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan announced a $7.5 billion, two-year capital plan to stimulate Saskatchewan’s economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19 (link).

  • May 5, 2020: The Saskatchewan Health Authority announced that it will initiate a phased resumption of health care services starting on May 19, 2020 (link).

  • May 4, 2020: Phase 1 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan has commenced. This phase allows public access to previously restricted medical services and provides specific guidelines regarding parks and campgrounds, boat launches, fishing and golf courses (link).

  • May 1, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan made changes to the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, which will start on May 4, 2020 (link).

  • May 1, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan provided funding for a marketing campaign to encourage support for local businesses (link).

  • May 1, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan stated that campsite reservations will open on May 4, 2020 with a camping start date of June 1, 2020 (link).

  • April 30, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan announced that anyone returning to work under Phase I and Phase II of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan will have access to licenced child care services (link).

  • April 24, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan released information on the timing for the opening of campgrounds and the use of provincial parks (link).

  • April 23, 2020: The Government of Saskatchewan announced the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan. The Re-Open Saskatchewan plan introduces five phases to re-open businesses and services across Saskatchewan, beginning May 4, 2020. It also details physical distancing measures and restrictions that will remain in place throughout all five phases (link).

Manitoba

  • May 10, 2022: The Government of Manitoba announced $1 million in funding to support economic recovery of sectors hardest hit by COVID-19 (link).

  • April 6, 2022: The Government of Manitoba announced second booster doses will be offered to residents in personal care homes and elderly congregate sites, individuals 70 or older in the community, and First Nations and Métis aged 50 or older (link).

  • March 15, 2022: The Government of Manitoba announced a Health System Recovery Plan that will focus on a return to “normal operations” (link).

  • March 14, 2022: The Government of Manitoba announced that public health orders will be lifted as of March 15, 2022 (link).

  • March 1, 2022: The Government of Manitoba announced new public health orders have come into effect that remove all remaining proof of vaccination requirements for public places (link).

  • February 22, 2022: The Government of Manitoba announced the creation of a new Economic Development Board to prioritize economic recovery and growth to address economic setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • February 17, 2022: The Government of Manitoba announced it will be investing $2 million in post-pandemic mental health and addictions recovery, in partnership with United Way (link).

  • February 15, 2022: The Government of Manitoba announced that, effective today, close contacts of a person who tests positive for COVID-19 no longer need to self-isolate. In addition, public health is removing self-isolation requirements for people entering the province (link).

  • February 14, 2022: The Government of Manitoba announced orders under The Public Health Act regarding self-isolation and contract tracing (link and link).

  • February 11, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced it is accelerating its plan to reduce public health restrictions (link).

  • December 22, 2021: The Government of Manitoba introduced a “Sector Support Program” to provide up to $22 million in further support for businesses affected by new public health orders (link).

  • December 17, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced it would make COVID-19 rapid test kits available to First Nations schools as a first step in providing kits for students across the province (link).

  • November 1, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that the Manitoba immunization app has been updated to include the Pan-Canadian proof of vaccination credential (link).

  • October 25, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that fully vaccinated Manitobans are now eligible for the pan-Canadian proof of vaccination credential for use when travelling (link).

  • October 18, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that new measures will allow Manitoba travellers to access COVID-19 rapid tests at pharmacies (link).

  • October 6, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that the Healthy Hire Manitoba Program – a wage support to help private-sector employers reopen and to encourage employees to get vaccinated and return to work – will be extended to November 15, 2021 (link).

  • September 29, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced new regulations to support remote witnessing for commissioning options (link).

  • September 29, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced new regulations to support remote witnessing for commissioning options (link).

  • September 21, 2021: Public Health and Education officials announced the revision of close contact identification and management in schools (link).

  • August 27, 2021: The Government of Manitoba expanded the vaccine passport benefit for fully immunized individuals that will enable businesses, services and events to be available without capacity limits or public health restrictions as of September 3, 2021, as well as a mandatory mask requirement for all indoor public spaces province-wide effective August 28, 2021 (link).

  • August 24, 2021: The Government of Manitoba will require all provincial employees who work with vulnerable populations to be fully immunized for COVID-19 by Oct. 31, or undergo regular testing, to protect Manitoba against a fourth COVID-19 wave (link).

  • August 5, 2021: The Government of Manitoba released its safe return plan for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students to classrooms on September 7, 2021 (link).

  • August 3, 2021: Premier Brian Pallister and Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, announced that the province will implement new public health orders and guidance on August 7, one month earlier than forecast (link).

  • June 24, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that it plans to invest $30 million through the Healthy Hire Manitoba Program, a new wage support to help private-sector employers reopen and to encourage employees to get vaccinated and return to work (link).

  • June 18, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that as of July 1, 2021, school-aged children will be able to return to their child-care programming and day camps will be permitted (link).

  • June 10, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced its safe summer reopening plan, ‘Our 4-3-2-One Great Summer’ Reopening Path, which will begin on July 1, 2021 (link).

  • June 9, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that new public health orders, beginning on June 12, 2021, will include provisions for outdoor gatherings with up to five people in public spaces and on private property (link).

  • May 31, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that it plans to invest more than $819,000 to increase the capacity of Winnipeg’s two Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) clinics to deal with increased demand for addictions services during the pandemic (link).

  • May 19, 2021: The Minister of Health and Seniors Care announced that Manitoba has expanded its Asymptomatic Rapid Testing Screening Program to more than 35 businesses and community partners, helping to deploy over 200,000 rapid tests for use in health-care and community settings across the province (link).

  • May 17, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that applications are now open for the Manitoba Pandemic Sick Leave program (link).

  • May 11, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced paid leave for COVID-19 vaccination appointments (link).

  • May 7, 2021: The Government of Manitoba has launched a new financial support program for paid sick leave related to COVID-19 (link).

  • April 19, 2021: The Government of Manitoba has launched a rapid testing screening program to support businesses and critical service providers. The expanded strategy will focus primarily on providing antigen-based rapid tests to targeted industries and critical service providers in non-healthcare settings (link).

  • March 23, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that Manitoba is extending supports and services to all young adults who would otherwise age out of the Manitoba Child and Family Services (CFS) system during the continued response to COVID-19 (link).

  • March 23, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that Manitoba is providing $510,000 to United Way Winnipeg for the continuation of a 24-hour service that protects Manitobans by connecting them to government, health and social services (link).

  • March 18, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that it was seeking input from Manitobans, through an online survey, on next steps of gradual reopening of services and activities (link).

  • March 12, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that the labour market continues to rebound with more than 16,000 jobs added in February (link).

  • March 12, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced minor changes to the current public health orders, effective March 13, 2021 at 12:01am (link).

  • March 11, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced the launch of a new Municipal Service Delivery Improvement Program that will assist municipalities and planning districts to improve services and find efficiencies amidst COVID-19 (link).

  • March 5, 2021: The Government of Manitoba extended tax relief measures to eligible small and medium-sized businesses (link).

  • March 2, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced reopening measures that will come into effect at 12:01 am on March 5, 2021 and will expire on March 25, 2021 (link).

  • February 25, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that it was seeking input from Manitobans, through an online survey, on reopening priorities (link).

  • February 9, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced new public health orders which loosen a variety of COVID restrictions, effective February 12, 2021(link).

  • February 8, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced the launch of its Skills, Talent and Knowledge Strategy, which will help accelerate the recovery of Manitoba’s economy post-pandemic (link).

  • February 4, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that it was seeking input from Manitobans, through an online survey, on loosening certain COVID-19 restrictions (link).

  • January 21, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that modest changes to public health orders will be effective January 23, 2021 and last for three weeks (link).

  • January 19, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that modest changes to public health orders are under consideration, in an effort to balance the needs of the health-care system and the economy while protecting the well-being of Manitobans (link).

  • January 15, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced it was seeking the input of Manitobans, through an online survey, to determine priorities in easing current COVID-19 restrictions and restoring services (link).

  • January 12, 2021: The Government of Manitoba extended the application deadline for the Manitoba Bridge Grant to January 31, 2021 (link).

  • January 11, 2021: The Government of Manitoba announced that the second round of applications for the Caregiver Wage Support program will be accepted until January 18, 2021 (link).

  • January 8, 2021: The Education Minister announced the Basic Classroom Skills for Limited Teaching Permit Holders Program, which will bolster the number of substitute teachers and educational assistants for the 2020-2021 school year (link).

  • December 22, 2020: The Government of Manitoba announced that it will temporarily waive certain payments businesses and charities are required to put into pension plans (link).

  • December 17, 2020: The Health, Seniors, and Active Living Minister announced that rapid testing for asymptomatic personal care home staff will be introduced in three licensed personal care homes (link).

  • December 11, 2020: The Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister together with the Economic Development and Training Minister announced that the registration of 39 internationally educated nurses will be expedited (link).

  • December 8, 2020: The Government of Manitoba announced an expansion and extension to the Manitoba Bridge Grant program, in order to protect more small businesses that are impacted by current public health restrictions (link).

  • December 4, 2020: The Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living announced that the province has issued a ministerial order that enables professional nursing colleges to modify their criteria to allow licensed nurses from other provinces and retired nurses to work in Manitoba (link).

  • December 2, 2020: The Health Seniors and Active Living Minister announced that Manitoba physicians who test positive for COVID-19, develop symptoms, are exposed to a confirmed case or are required to isolate will be compensated for their sick time away from work (link).

  • November 20, 2020: The Minister of Finance and Minister of Economic Development announced a new digital campaign that encourages safe, local shopping (link).

  • November 17, 2020: Premier Brian Pallister announced that the province has signed a contract with G4S Canada to boost COVID-19 public health order enforcement efforts (link).

  • November 3, 2020: The Government of Manitoba announced a plan to implement targeted, rapid testing for COVID-19 (link).

  • October 26, 2020: The Government of Manitoba announced plans to introduce amendments to the Employment Standards Code so more workers can take protected leave due to the COVID-19 pandemic and apply for federal benefits (link).

  • October 23, 2020: The Minister of Health, Seniors, and Active Living announced that effective October 26, COVID-19 testing appointments will be available at rural and northern Manitoba sites (link).

  • October 19, 2020: The Minister of Health, Seniors, and Active Living announced that effective October 20, 2020 an appointment-based scheduling system will be implemented in Winnipeg (link).

  • October 19, 2020: The Minister of Health, Seniors, and Active Living announced that testing for COVID-19 will soon be available at community medical clinics (link).

  • October 7, 2020: The Minister of Central Services announced that it will be taking additional steps to increase widespread use of the province’s COVID-19 toolkit (link).

  • October 1, 2020: The Health Canada COVID Alert app is now available to Manitoba residents and will provide digital COVID-19 exposure alerts once the app is downloaded to a smartphone (link).

  • September 7, 2020: The Manitoba Courts issued a notice requiring all persons to wear masks in the Winnipeg Law Courts Complex including St. Boniface and all Winnipeg circuit points, effective September 8, 2020 (link).

  • August 24, 2020: Visitors to all healthcare facilities will soon be required to wear non-medical masks (link).
  • August 18, 2020: Following the Government of Manitoba’s Restoring Safe Schools K-12 Guidelines for September 2020, individual school division plans have been posted online for parents and caregivers to review in order to prepare students for their modified learning experience (link).

  • July 30, 2020: Classroom learning will resume on September 8 for all students in kindergarten through Grade 12 at schools across Manitoba (link).

  • June 23, 2020: Manitoba’s Residential Tenancies Branch extended provisions which protect tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic until September 30, 2020 (link).

  • June 22, 2020: The Government of Manitoba is working to develop outdoor, all-season visitation shelters at personal care homes (link).

  • June 17, 2020: The Premier of Manitoba announced a further easing of public health restrictions effective June 21, 2020 (link).

  • June 3, 2020: The Government of Manitoba announced that it would be expanding visitor access at hospitals and health centres (link).

  • May 28, 2020: The Government of Manitoba launched Student Jobs MB, an online tool dedicated to matching students looking for job opportunities with employers (link).

  • May 27, 2020: The Government of Manitoba announced that Phase Two of their restoring safe services plan will start on June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 22, 2020: The Government of Manitoba announced an increase to the limit on public gathering to no more than 25 people for indoor premises and 50 for outdoor areas, provided social distancing measures are in place (link).

  • May 22, 2020: Manitoba is waiving big-game utilization requirements for 2020 to ensure that future allocations will not be affected by the loss of the spring season due to the pandemic (link).

  • May 21, 2020: The Government of Manitoba unveiled a draft plan for the second phase of restoring safe services (link).

  • May 14, 2020: The Government of Manitoba released guidance regarding the use of provincial parks, campgrounds, and cottages (link).

  • May 13, 2020: The Government of Manitoba established the Premier’s Economic Opportunities Advisory Board to chart Manitoba’s course for re-opening its economy and renewing its growth in order to move the province forward from the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • May 8, 2020: The Government of Manitoba will lift the one-month limit on filling prescriptions on May 11, 2020 (link).

  • May 7, 2020: The Government of Manitoba announced a $500 million infrastructure investment to restart the economy following the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • May 7, 2020: The Government of Manitoba revised the Restoring Safe Services: Manitoba’s Pandemic and Economic Roadmap for Recovery (link).

  • May 6, 2020: The Government of Manitoba announced that fishing season will open on May 9, 2020 (link).

  • May 1, 2020: The Manitoba legislature will resume on May 6, 2020, as part of the gradual re-opening of the province (link).

  • May 1, 2020: The Government of Manitoba announced campground reservations will open offering staggered dates, starting May 4, 2020 (link).

  • April 29, 2020: The Government of Manitoba announced a phased approach to opening the economy which will begin on May 4, 2020 (link).

Ontario

  • April 22, 2022: The Chief Medical Officer of Health announced that masking requirements originally set to expire on April 27, 2022, will continue in select indoor settings until June 11, 2022 (link).

  • April 14, 2022: The Government of Ontario passed the Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Act, 2022, bolstering Ontario’s health workforce in support of the province’s Plan to Stay Open (link).

  • April 11, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced an expansion of COVID-19 antiviral treatment and PCR testing eligibility to more high-risk individuals (link).

  • April 6, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced an expansion of fourth-dose vaccine eligibility to individuals aged 60 and over as well as First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over starting on April 7, 2022 (link).

  • March 29, 2022: The Government of Ontario introduced A Plan to Stay Open, that, if passed, will expand on policies and measures already in place to ensure the province is able to stay open (link).

  • March 15, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced $673 million investment in long-term care homes to hire and retain up to 10,000 long-term care staff across the province (link). 

  • March 15, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced that it will be training more doctors as it continues to build a more resilient health care system (link).

  • March 9, 2022: Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, announced that Ontario will remove its mandatory masking requirement for most settings on March 21, 2022, with the exception of select settings. The select settings include public transit, health care settings, long-term care homes and congregate care settings (link). 

  • March 8, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced a $30 million investment to stabilize Ontario’s sport and recreation sector to help offset increased costs as a result of COVID-19 (link). 

  • March 7, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced that eligible nurses across the provincial health care system will receive up to $5,000 in retention payments (link).

  • March 2, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced more Health Care Workers at Indigenous Institutes resulting from an investment over four years of $34 million to increase enrolment in nursing and PSW programs (link).

  • February 17, 2022: The Government of Ontario eased public health measures increasing social gathering sizes and business capacity limits (link).

  • February 17, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced record funding of over $26.6 billion for the 2022-2023 school year, due to two year global learning disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • February 17, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced record funding of over $26.6 billion for the 2022-2023 school year, due to two year global learning disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • February 16, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced critical relief for the tourism sector, which will support amusement devices and ski lift operators, as well as protect local jobs (link).

  • February 14, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced that the province would move into the next phase of reopening on February 17, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. Effective March 1, 2022, the province plans to lift proof of vaccination requirements for all settings (link). 

  • February 10, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced that non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures may resume in the province. In addition, Ontario students can once again benefit from extra-curricular activities, including high-contact sports in schools (link).

  • February 9, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced it would expand access to free rapid testing kits to the general public for at-home use to support the province’s easing of public health measures (link). 

  • February 4, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced it would gradually begin lifting temporary public health measures at long-term care homes starting February 7, 2022 (link).

  • January 7, 2022: The Government of Ontario announced a plan to provide support for small businesses, workers, and families, including a $10,000 grant for eligible small businesses and additional electricity-rate relief (link).

  • December 22, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced it would provide support to businesses in the Algoma and Manitoulin regions. More than $1.5 million will be allocated to help 74 local businesses adapt to the COVID-19 public health guidelines. This funding will be delivered through the Northern Ontario Recovery Program (NORP) (link).

  • December 22, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced it would introduce new supports for businesses most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant. These supports include a new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program and a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes (link).

  • December 15, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced it would support businesses impacted by the pandemic and continue to provide choice and convenience to consumers by cutting LCBO wholesale prices for bars and restaurants, enabling curbside pickup of beer, wine and cider from licensed grocery stores, and freezing the basic beer tax rate (link).

  • December 7, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that it is extending COVID-19 paid sick days until July 31, 2022 (link).

  • December 7, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced it was extending the pause on lifting capacity limits in remaining settings where proof of vaccination is required (link).

  • November 18, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced additional COVID-19 testing will be available (link).

  • November 10, 2021: The Government of Ontario paused the lifting of capacity limits in remaining settings where proof of vaccination is required (link).

  • October 29, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that the Apple Wallet update is now compatible with Ontario’s vaccine certificate (link).

  • October 22, 2021: The Government of Ontario released its plan to gradually lift the remaining public health and workplace safety measures by March 2022 (link).

  • October 15, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced an amendment to clarify certain proof of vaccination requirements and that the Verify Ontario application is available for download starting October 15, 2021 (link).

  • October 8, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced the cautious lifting of capacity limits in select settings where proof of vaccination is required (link).

  • Ontario 6, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced a reduction in WSIB premium rates and the re-distribution of the WSIB’s current reserve to safe employers (link).

  • October 5, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that rapid asymptomatic screening for unvaccinated children and students will be available for students through participating public health units where risk of transmission is high (link).

  • October 1, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced new measures regarding long-term care homes including the requirement that by November 15, 2021, COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandatory for all in-home staff, support workers, students, and volunteers (link).

  • September 27, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced a $100 million investment into the province’s tourism industry to help recover from the impacts of COVID-19 (link).

  • September 27, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced the increase in the number of safety plan builders and health and safety inspectors to assist businesses and workers in keeping people safe from COVID-19 (link).

  • September 24, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that capacity limits will begin to ease for select indoor and outdoor settings where proof of vaccination is required (link).

  • September 14, 2021: The Government of Ontario released the regulations and guidance for businesses and organizations regarding the proof of vaccination requirements that will take effect on September 22, 2021 (link).

  • August 17, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that it will be making COVID-19 vaccination policies mandatory in high-risk settings, pausing the province’s exit from the Roadmap to Reopen and providing third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to vulnerable populations. The government is also expanding eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine to children born in 2009 or earlier (link).

  • July 14, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that it will remove the requirement that fully-immunized and asymptomatic staff, caregivers and visitors be tested before entering long-term care homes, effective July 16, 2021 (link).

  • July 13, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that it will increase its financial support and simplify the application process for individuals applying to the Second Career program. These changes are designed to make it easier for workers laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic to start new careers (link).

  • July 13, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that it will provide more than $1.8 million to help Sault Ste. Marie businesses adapt to COVID-19 public health guidelines and protect employees and customers. The funding will be delivered through the Northern Ontario Recovery Program (link).

  • July 9, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that the province will be moving to Step Three of its Roadmap to Reopen on July 16 (link).

  • June 29, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that in partnership with the Government of Canada, it would jointly invest a total of $51.2 million in 129 municipalities in order to respond to the impacts of COVID-19 and contribute to the province’s economic recovery (link).

  • June 24, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that the province will move into Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen on June 30, 2021 (link).

  • June 14, 2021: The Government of Ontario released a framework for select Ontario professional and elite-amateur sport leagues and events that outlines the minimum requirements that must be met for a safe return to play. Under strict health guidelines, a small number of leagues and events will be able to return to play in advance of the broader return outlined in the Roadmap to Reopen (link).

  • June 7, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that the province will move into Step One of its Roadmap to Reopen on June 11, 2021 (link).

  • June 3, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that it is easing restrictions on long-term care effective Wednesday, June 9. Residents will be able to enjoy more outings and close contact with loved ones (link).

  • June 2, 2021: Ontario’s Stay-at-Home order expired, although other restrictions remain in place (link).

  • May 20, 2021: The Government of Ontario, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, released its Roadmap to Reopen, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures (link).

  • May 12, 2021: The Government of Ontario has launched a new online portal that will better connect businesses to free testing supplies (link).

  • May 7, 2021: The Government of Ontario has launched the COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative for small and medium-sized businesses across the province (link).

  • May 4, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that long-term care homes can now safely resume activities such as communal dining and indoor events and gatherings, with precautions (link).

  • May 4, 2021: The Government of Ontario is providing $85.5 million to address the impacts of learning disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic through Ontario’s Learning Recovery and Renewal Plan (link).

  • April 29, 2021: The Government of Ontario introduced the COVID-19 Putting Workers First Act, which would require employers to provide employees with up to three days of paid leave because of certain reasons related to COVID-19 (link).

  • April 27, 2021: The Government of Ontario introduced the Advancing Oversight and Planning in Ontario’s Health System Act, 2021, which if passed, would further recognize the important role of select health and supportive care staff in delivering high-quality care to patients across the province (link).

  • April 12, 2021: The Government of Ontario, in partnership with the federal government, announced the StaySafe™ COVID-19 Rapid Screening Pilot in the Waterloo Region. The program will provide free rapid antigen point-of-care tests for employees of small- and medium-sized businesses in the region (link).

  • April 8, 2021: The Government of Canada announced that it is extending the support of the Canadian Red Cross in select long-term care and retirement homes in Ontario. This support was originally scheduled to conclude in March 2021, but will now continue until September 30, 2021 (link).

  • March 15, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that it is providing the St. Lawrence Parks Commission with an investment of nearly $5.5 million to support the continued operation of historic sites, parks and attractions while also taking steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (link).

  • March 12, 2021: The Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade announced that employment in Ontario increased by over 100,000 in February. The province also announced that it is providing $600 million for property tax and energy cost rebates to support businesses required to close or significantly reduce services because of public health restrictions, and expanded the number of small businesses that can apply for the Main Street Relief Grant (link).

  • March 10, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced the expansion of delivery channels available to administer COVID-19 vaccines to include pharmacies and primary care settings (link).

  • March 5, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that Toronto, Peel and North Bay Parry Sound District public health regions will transition to the revised and strengthened COVID-19 Response Framework effective March 8, 2021 at 12:01am (link).

  • February 18, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced the launch of new health and safety education campaigns, with a particular focus on helping small businesses across the province reopen safely (link).

  • February 18, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced $2.5 million in funding to Facedrive Inc. to accelerate the deployment of its wearable contact tracing technology (link).

  • February 16, 2021: The Government of Ontario expanded eligibility for the Main Street Relief Grant, providing more small businesses access to a one-time grant to help offset the costs of purchasing personal protective equipment (link).

  • February 12, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that 27 public health regions will return to a strengthened COVID-19 Response Framework effective February 16, 2021 at 12:01 am (link).

  • February 10, 2021: The Government of Ontario extended electricity rate relief prices until February 22, 2021 (link).

  • February 8, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that in-person shopping at non-essential retail stores will be permitted, with additional public health and safety measures in place (link).

  • February 5, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that applications for the two-year $115 million Skills Development Fund are now open (link).

  • February 3, 2021: The Minister of Education announced the dates for returning to in-person learning across the province, with enhanced safety measures in place (link).

  • February 1, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that the Ontario Support Program will be extended until 2022 to ensure that low-income seniors and people with disabilities have access to food, medicine and other essentials during COVID-19 (link).

  • January 25, 2021: The Government of Ontario expanded eligibility for the targeted emergency childcare program to include additional workers who are performing critical roles in their communities, effective January 27, 2021 (link).

  • January 21, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced the opening and expansion of COVID-19 isolation centres in hardest hit communities (link).

  • January 18, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced that starting January 25, francophone non-profit organizations can begin applying for financial assistance from the $1 million COVID-19 Relief Fund (link).

  • January 15, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced the hiring of additional case managers and contact tracers to help isolate new cases of COVID-19 (link).

  • January 15, 2021: The Government of Ontario opened applications for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant (link).

  • January 9, 2021: The Government of Ontario expanded eligibility for the targeted emergency childcare program to include additional frontline workers (link).

  • January 6, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced a voluntary and free border testing pilot program at Toronto Pearson International Airport for eligible international travellers returning to Ontario (link).

  • January 4, 2021: The Government of Ontario announced support for home-based food businesses as part of the government’s efforts to help small independent businesses during COVID-19 (link).

  • December 30, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced legislation and regulation changes to support people and businesses in response to COVID-19. These changes will come into effect on January 1, 2021(link).

  • December 28, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced that it will open a new Specialized Care Centre to provide care for long-term care residents in the Greater Toronto Area who must be temporarily relocated because of an outbreak of COVID-19 in the long-term care homes (here).

  • December 22, 2020: The Government of Ontario is expanding the Support for Learners program to include secondary school students (link).

  • December 22, 2020: The Government of Ontario is lowering electricity prices to a discounted off-peak rate 24/7 for all time-of-use and tiered customers (link).

  • December 21, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced the Ontario Small Business Support Grant. Small businesses required to close or restrict services under the provincewide shutdown will be able to apply if they have less than 100 employees at the enterprise level and have experienced a minimum of 20% revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019 (link).

  • December 18, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced an extension to the Infectious Disease Emergency Leave, under O. Reg 228/20, to July 3, 2021 (link).

  • December 18, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced the implementation of a special industry regulation, Regulation 764/20, which applies to the hospitality, tourism, and convention and trade show industries. Regulation 764/20 permits employers and unions, if they both agree, to follow the rules set out in the regulation instead of subsection 67 (3) to (5) and (7) to (9) of the ESA (link).

  • December 14, 2020: Effective on December 11, 2020, individuals requesting a COVID-19 test for international travel clearance are no longer eligible for a publicly funded COVID-19 test (link).

  • December 9, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced that driver’s license renewal requirements will temporarily be waived for all Class G and M drivers. Drivers will now be able to renew their licenses online (link).

  • December 8, 2020: The Government of Ontario introduced the Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act that would, if passed, protect employers from an unexpected increase in WSIB premiums in 2021, while maintaining an increase to the maximum earnings cap for worker benefits (link).

  • November 25, 2020: The Government of Ontario released guidelines for how to celebrate the Holiday season safely (link).

  • November 24, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced the deployment of COVID-19 rapid tests to regions of high transmission as well as rural and remote areas (link).

  • November 19, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced a series of education and enforcement campaigns to ensure that businesses across the province are taking the necessary steps to keep employees, consumers and the public safe (link).

  • November 18, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced an additional 13 Health Teams in an effort to help the province respond quickly and effectively to COVID-19 (link).

  • November 17, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced that applications are now being accepted from municipalities under the new Local Government sub-stream of the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure program (link).

  • November 6, 2020: The Government of Ontario released a framework which categorizes public health regions into five levels: Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect, Orange-Restrict, Red-Control and Lockdown under the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework (link).
  • November 3, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework, which is designed to ensure that public health measures are targeted, incremental and responsive to help limit the spread of COVID-19 (link).

  • October 20, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced amendments to remove restrictions on in-person teaching and instruction for fire departments (link).

  • October 19, 2020: The Government of Ontario released an action plan, Ontario Onwards: Ontario’s COVID-19 Action Plan for a People-Focused Government, to make government services more used-friendly and accessible during the pandemic (link).

  • October 14, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced that they are hiring up to 600 new contact tracers and case managers to help track, trace, and isolate new cases of COVID-19 (link).

  • October 2, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced that it is continuing the pause on any further reopening of businesses, facilities, and organizations for an additional 28 days, unless already permitted to open under O. Reg 364/20 (link).

  • September 29, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced that all long-term care homes will have access to up to 8 weeks supply of PPE in order to prepare for future outbreaks. The supply will be available starting the week of October 5, 2020 (link).

  • September 28, 2020: The Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and Minister of Indigenous Affairs announced the creation of a new short-term Northern Ontario Recovery Program (NORP) to help businesses adapt to new COVID-19 public health guidelines and protect employees and customers (link).

  • September 25, 2020: The Premier, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health released a comprehensive framework to help hospitals assess their readiness to begin planning for the gradual resumption of scheduled surgeries and procedures with the goal of reducing surgery backlogs and expanding access to healthcare (link).

  • September 24, 2020: The Associate Chief Medical Office of Health issued updated COVID-19 testing guidelines and recommended a shift away from untargeted asymptomatic testing (link).

  • September 24, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced a new COVID-19 testing initiative that will increase the number of testing locations, testing methods, capacity, and case and contact managers (link).

  • September 24, 2020: The Minister for Seniors and Accessibility announced that the Ontario Community Support Program will be extended until March 2021 to ensure that seniors and people with disabilities who are self isolating due to COVID-19 can continue to have meals and other essentials delivered to their homes (link).

  • September 17, 2020: The Government of Ontario has proposed legislation to freeze residential rent increases in 2021. The Helping Tenants and Small Businesses Act, 2020, if passed as drafted, would also support Ontario's small businesses by extending the temporary ban on commercial evictions (link).

  • September 16, 2020: The Ontario Government launched a new voluntary interactive screening tool (available here) to assist parents, students and staff with the daily assessment of COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors that is required before attending school (link).

  • September 11, 2020: The Government of Ontario launched the COVID-19 school and licensed child care-specific web page (link).

  • September 8, 2020: The Ontario Government announced that after the gradual reopening of provincial centres for apprenticeship and trade-related certification, all 24 centres across Ontario have now reopened and apprentices and skilled tradespeople can now book their final exams at their local apprenticeship office (link).
  • September 4, 2020: The Ontario Government, in consultation with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the postsecondary education sector, has conducted extensive consultations to support a safe re-opening for the fall term (link).
  • September 3, 2020: The Government of Ontario has expanded driver testing services with strict protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Effective September 8, 2020 Ontarians will be able to book class G road tests and access all classes of driver testing services at DriveTest centres across Ontario (link).
  • September 2, 2020: As the province safely and gradually reopens and more people return to work, the Government of Ontario announced a partnership with public transit operators across the province to implement measures that will ensure transit workers and passengers can safely and confidently take public transit (link).
  • August 28, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced that long-term care residents can once again leave their residences for short-stay and temporary absences (link).

  • August 26, 2020: As part of Ontario’s plan for students to safely return to the classroom in September, the Government has released the Operational Guidance: COVID-19 Management in Schools plan (link).

  • August 21, 2020: Beginning August 21, 2020, facilities can have up to 50 guests for indoor meeting rooms and event spaces (link).

  • August 20, 2020: The Ontario Government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced an extension of the orders under the Reopening Ontario Act, 2020 (link).

  • August 10, 2020: Windsor-Essex will move into Stage 3 on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will join the rest of the province's 33 public health regions by entering Stage 3 (link).

  • August 4, 2020: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will remain in Stage 2 as the province continues to monitor local transmissions of COVID-19 (link).

  • July 31, 2020: The Ontario Government, in consultation with the Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, has amended orders O. Reg 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3 and O. Reg. 263/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 2 to implement additional measures for restaurants, bars, and other food or drink establishments, as the province reopens (link).

  • July 30, 2020: The Government of Ontario released a plan for the safe reopening of schools for in-class instruction in September (link).

  • July 30, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced its plan to allow licensed child care centers across Ontario to open at full capacity starting September 1, 2020 (link).

  • July 29, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced that the City of Toronto and Peel Region will move into stage 3 of reopening the province on July 31, 2020 (link).

  • July 22, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced that seven more regions will move into stage 3 on July 24, 2020, increasing the number of businesses and public spaces that will reopen (link).

  • July 14, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced that as part of the province’s stage 3 of reopening nearly all businesses and public spaces can begin reopening, subject to specific exemptions noted by the Government (link).

  • July 13, 2020: The Ontario government announced the start of a regional approach to Stage 3 of the province’s reopening framework (link). 
  • July 5, 2020: The Ontario Government supports restaurant and bar owners to reopen and safely serve more customers by issuing a new emergency order and amending another under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (link).
  • June 30, 2020: Ontario courts will resume in-person proceedings on Monday, July 6, 2020 (link).
  • June 30, 2020: To celebrate Canada Day, the Government of Ontario announced that they will offer free admittance to all provincial parks on July 1, 2020. The Government noted that capacity will be limited and park visitors will be required to maintain appropriate physical distancing and should also wear a face mask (link).
  • June 25, 2020: The Ontario Government announced that Windsor-Essex, with the exception of the Municipality of Leamington and the Town of Kingsville, will be allowed to move into Stage 2 of reopening (link).
  • June 22, 2020: The Ontario Government is allowing more businesses and services to re-open by permitting the City of Toronto and Peel region to enter Stage 2 starting Wednesday, June 24, 2020 (link).

  • June 19, 2020: DriveTest, Ontario’s driver testing services, will begin offering limited services across the province beginning Monday, June 22, 2020, with the expectation to offer full services by September, 2020 (link).

  • June 19, 2020: The Ontario Government released its safety plan for the resumption of classes for the 2020-21 school year which outlines scenarios for how students, teachers, and staff can return to classrooms safely in September, 2020 (link).
  • June 16, 2020: The Government of Ontario released a new general workplace guide and toolkit to assist employers with developing a COVID-19 safety plan (link).
  • June 15, 2020: The Ontario Government announced that an additional seven regions, including: Durham, Haldimand-Norfolk, Halton, Hamilton, Lambton, Niagara and York, will be permitted to advance to Stage 2 starting June 19, 2020 (link).
  • June 13, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced the easing of restrictions on weddings and funeral ceremonies. Outdoor wedding and funeral ceremonies will be limited to 50 attendees and indoor ceremonies must be limited to a maximum of 30% of the venue’s capacity (link).

  • June 12, 2020: The Ontario Government announced that people throughout Ontario can now re-establish a social "circle" of no more than 10 people who can interact and come into close contact with one another without physical distancing (link).

  • June 11, 2020: The Ontario Government announced the gradual resumption of visits to long-term care homes, retirement homes, and other residential care settings (link)

  • June 10, 2020: Beginning June 12, 2020, more facilities and services will be available at provincial parks in certain regions (link).
  • June 8, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced that the province will be moving forward with a regional approach to Stage 2 of reopening. Effective June 12, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., the province will increase the limit on social gatherings from five to 10 people, regardless of whether a region has moved to Stage 2. All places of worship will be permitted to open, so long as physical distancing is maintained and attendance is limited to no more than 30 per cent of the building capacity. Additionally, some businesses and services will be permitted to reopen as of June 12, 2020 in regions entering Stage 2, so long as proper health and safety measures remain in place (link).
  • May 30, 2020: Backcountry camping in Ontario Parks and on Crown land will be gradually re-introduced starting on June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 22, 2020: The province is permitting Ontario corporations to conduct virtual meetings and to defer certain annual meetings in specified circumstances as part of the COVID-19 Response and Reforms to Modernize Ontario Act, 2020 (link).

  • May 22, 2020: The province is investing in Ontario's first Virtual Action Centre, an online counselling and training portal, to support laid off and unemployed hospitality workers, and is helping apprentices by providing grants to purchase tools, protective equipment and clothing for their trade, along with forgiving previous loans to purchase tools (link).

  • May 20, 2020: Ontario’s Ministry of Health released specific recommendations on how to choose, wear and care for appropriate face coverings used in public where physical distancing is not possible, along with additional safety measures for provincial transit agencies (link).

  • May 14, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced the relaxing of certain measures. Starting May 16, 2020, golf courses, marinas, private parks and campgrounds, and businesses that board animals may begin to re-open. Starting May 19, 2020, retail stores not located in shopping malls, seasonal businesses, animal services, household services, and certain health and medical services may re-open or resume (link).

  • May 11, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced the opening of retail stores for curbside pickup and delivery today (link).

  • May 9, 2020: The Government of Ontario will start opening parks and conservation reserves as of May 11, 2020 (link).

  • May 9, 2020: The Government of Ontario is protecting licensed child care in Ontario to ensure they remain sustainable and ready to open (link).

  • May 8, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced that professional sport training facilities will be permitted to reopen (link).

  • May 7, 2020: The Government of Ontario released a plan to resume scheduled surgeries and procedures (link).

  • May 6, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced that all retail stores with a street entrance will be able to provide curbside pickup and delivery. Additionally, garden centres, nurseries, hardware stores and safety supply stores will be permitted to provide in-store payment and purchases. The government also announced the expansion of essential construction to allow below-grade multi-unit residential construction projects to begin and existing above-grade projects to continue (link).

  • May 5, 2020: The Government of Ontario will allow licensed restaurants and bars to sell spirits with a food order at a lower price. The Government of Ontario has also eased requirements to allows cideries the ability to sell directly to consumers (link).

  • May 4, 2020: The Small Claims Court announced that it will resume certain hearings by telephone or videoconference. Further information can be found here.

  • May 1, 2020: The Government of Ontario announced that certain businesses and workplaces may re-open on May 4, 2020, as long as they comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak. Further information on the businesses permitted to re-open can be found here.

  • April 30, 2020: The Government of Ontario released workplace safety guidelines to protect workers, customers, and the general public from COVID-19 as the province and businesses prepare for the gradual re-opening of the economy (link).

  • April 28, 2020: The Government of Ontario launched the COVID-19: Tackling the Barriers website to assist businesses in overcoming challenges created by COVID-19 (link).

  • April 27, 2020: The Government of Ontario released A Framework for Reopening our Province. It outlines the principles the government will use to re-open businesses, services and public spaces in gradual stages (link).

Québec

  • May 14, 2022: The Government of Québec announced that as of May 14, wearing a mask in several enclosed or partially enclosed public places is no longer mandatory. They further announced that masks are still required on public transit and at healthcare facilities (link).

  • May 4, 2022: The Minister of Health and Social Services announced that the mask mandate will be lifted in several public places as of May 14, 2022 (link).

  • April 21, 2022: The Minister of Health and Social Services announced that the mask mandate in public places will continue until mid-May (link).

  • April 13, 2022: The Minister of Health and Social Services announced the availability of thousands of Novavax Vaccine Doses (link).

  • April 5, 2022: The Minister of Health and Social Services announced that mask wearing will continue to be maintained in public places for the time being (link).

  • April 4, 2022: The Minister for Education and Minister responsible for the Status of Women announced $1 million in funding for 11 projects to counter the impacts of the pandemic on women and support community workers (link).

  • April 1, 2022: The Minister of Health and Social Services announced new written public health recommendations (link).

  • April 1, 2022: The Minister of Health and Social Services announced that Pharmacists can now prescribe Paxlovid™ antiviral (link).

  • March 30, 2022: The Minister of Health and Social Services announced that 4th dose vaccine boosters will begin to be available in all living environments, starting with residential and long-term care centers (link).

  • March 18, 2022: The Minister of Health and Social Services amended the existing order of measures to protect the health of the population amid the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • March 11, 2022: The Minister of Health and Social Services amended the existing order of measures to protect the health of the population amid the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • February 25, 2022: The Minister of Health and Social Services amended the existing order of measures to protect the health of the population amid the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • February 19, 2022: The Minister of Health and Social Services amended the existing order of measures to protect the health of the population amid the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • February 11, 2022: The Minister of Health and Social Services amended the existing order of measures to protect the health of the population amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This amendment lifts existing restrictions and takes effect on February 12, 2022 (link).

  • February 8, 2022: The Premier of Québec and the Minister of Health and Social Services announced that by March 14, 2022, most of the provincial public health measures will be lifted. The measures will be lifted gradually beginning February 12, 2022 (link)

  • February 7, 2022: The Government of Québec announced that the suspension of electoral procedures in certain northern municipalities will be lifted as of February 15, 2022 (link).

  • February 1, 2022: The Ministry of Health and Social Services reiterated their recommendation regarding portable air purifiers in schools (link).

  • January 28, 2022: The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced new recommendations from Public Health to support the actions taken by the Government of Québec in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • December 16, 2021: The Office de la protection du consummateur informed travelers of the latest developments regarding compensation claims from customers of eligible travel agents who have not received the tourist services they paid for as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • December 14, 2021: The Government of Québec announced a COVID-19 self-test distribution program (link).

  • December 2, 2021: The Government of Québec announced the deployment of rapid tests for parents throughout the Québec child care network (link).

  • November 22, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that the repayment moratorium for capital and interest related to financial assistance granted under the AERAM and PAUPE program is extended until January 21, 2022 (link).

  • November 14, 2021: The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced amendments to proof of vaccination orders for public spaces (link).

  • November 14, 2021: The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced amendments to proof of vaccination orders for health and social service providers (link).

  • November 14, 2021: The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced the requirement for COVID-19 screening for unvaccinated health and social service providers (link).

  • November 2, 2021: The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced the relaxation of several health measures starting November 15, 2021 (link).

  • October 30, 2021: The Government of Québec released an order amending public health measures starting November 1, 2021 (link).

  • October 26, 2021: The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced new interim recommendations for workers in the health network and social services who are pregnant and adequately protected or vaccinated (link).

  • October 25, 2021: The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced enhanced measures in schools and private seniors’ residences within MRC de La Matapédia (link).

  • October 21, 2021: The Government of Quebec extended the deployment of rapid detection tests for all students in the class when a student is confirmed positive to the Chaudière-Appalaches region (link).

  • October 18, 2021: The Government of Québec announced proof of vaccination meeting the new pan-Canadian standard is available for travellers who have to travel outside of Québec (link).

  • October 7, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that masks will be required in private seniors’ residences and schools in the MRCs of Bellechasse and Nouvelle-Beauce (link)

  • October 1, 2021: The Government of Québec updated the masking requirements in schools (link).

  • September 25, 2021: The Government of Québec announced receipt of information regarding false applications related to the Québec vaccination passport (link).

  • September 24, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that members of the public will be required to show proof of vacation to enter health and social services with vulnerable clients effective October 15, 2021 (link).

  • September 24, 2021: The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced that masks will be required in schools in the Robert-Cliché MRC (link).

  • September 24, 2021: The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced that masks will be required in schools in a number of regions (link).

  • September 7, 2021: The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced that masks will be required in three RCM (Regional County Municipality) schools (link).

  • September 7, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that all health and social services workers will be required to be fully vaccinated (link).

  • August 31, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that exception cases will obtain a vaccine passport (link).

  • August 27, 2021: The Government of Québec updated the guidelines for the start of the 2021-2022 school year (link).

  • August 24, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that a vaccine passport will be used as a means of accessing certain non-essential activities and places (such as, festivals, performance halls, casinos, cinemas, restaurants, etc). Two applications will be available for download, VaxiCode for citizens and VaxiCode Verif, for operators/verifiers, wherein a QR code can be presented and scanned to confirm status (link).

  • August 18, 2021: The Ministry of Tourism announced the decision not to continue the test event project planned for early fall in Québec City, in which a test event in the form of two shows, one outdoor and one indoor was to be held (link).

  • August 2, 2021: The Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) announced that it can now allow customers to remove face coverings on the outer decks of all its vessels (link).
  • July 13, 2021: The Ministry of Economy and Innovation announced that the moratorium on repaying principal and interest related to the Assistance for Businesses in Regions on Maximum Alert program has been extended until November 30, 2021 (link).

  • July 7, 2021: The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced that, effective July 12, 2021, social distancing between individuals from different households will be reduced from 2 metres to 1 metre, both indoors and outdoors. However, a distance of 2 metres will be maintained for singing activities and high intensity exercise in gyms. Alongside other restrictions, capacity limits will no longer be required for retail businesses, although stores must still ensure that social distancing measures are respected. These changes apply across Quebec, as all regions are in green zones (link).

  • July 2, 2021: The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced an increase in the capacity allowed for festivals and outdoor events, subject to specific health measures (link).

  • July 1, 2021: The Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) announced that following a recommendation from Public Health due to the favourable evolution of the epidemiological situation, the capacity of outdoor venues that can accommodate an audience will be increased (link).

  • June 30, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that public service personnel will gradually return to in-person work starting September 7. It also strongly encouraged Québec companies to develop a gradual plan for returning to work while respecting public health guidelines (link).

  • June 25, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that mask wearing and distancing during gatherings at private homes and tourist accommodation units are no longer recommended for people who have received two doses of the vaccine. In addition, the Government of Québec announced that festivals and major outdoor events during which spectators are standing or sitting without assigned seating or circulating, with a maximum of 3 500 people, are permitted subject to certain measures (link).

  • June 23, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that, effective June 27, 2021, permanent residents of Îles-de-la-Madeleine can travel to Prince Edward Island without having to quarantine for 14 days as long as they have received a COVID-19 vaccine dose. However, in order to cross the border, residents must register for a PEI Pass and must satisfy a number of criteria to ensure that they are not infected with COVID-19 (link).

  • June 22, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that all regions of Québec will be at the green level, effective June 28, 2021 (link).

  • June 17, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that shows and sporting events can accommodate up to 3,500 people both indoors and outdoors, subject to certain measures (link).

  • June 16, 2021: The Government of Québec adopted a ministerial order to re-open the province’s border with Ontario, allowing travelers to enter Québec from that province (link).

  • June 14, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that it will reopen its border with Ontario, effective June 16, 2021. The reopening will apply to all travelers, without exception. However, individuals coming from Ontario will be subject to the same obligations as Québec residents to respect the applicable health measures in each zone (link).

  • June 14, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that it will provide additional funding to municipal governments within Montérégie, Rivière-du-Loup, L’Islet and Laval in order to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic (link 1, link 2, link 3).

  • June 9, 2021: The Government of Québec announced the reopening and resumption of certain activities in Parc de la Chute-Montmorency on June 12, 2021 (link)

  • June 8, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that all regions will be at the yellow or green level as of June 14 (link).

  • June 8, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that in green and yellow zones, masks will no longer be mandatory for all staff in elementary and high school classes as long as social distancing rules are respected. However, masks will still be required in common areas (link).

  • June 7, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that in orange zones, elementary and high school students will no longer be required to wear masks in the classroom until further notice due to the heat wave affecting Québec. However, masks will still be required in common areas (link).

  • June 7, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that Montréal and Laval will transition to orange zones effective June 7, 2021 (link).

  • May 28, 2021: The Public Health Department produced new written recommendations published by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. These recommendations are formulated to support the Québec government's decision-making in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • May 27, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that as of June 11, 2021, in yellow tier regions, supervised sports and recreation will be allowed outdoors in groups of 25 people. As of June 25, 2021, it will be possible to organize tournaments and competitions for all levels of alert (link).

  • May 26, 2021: The Government of Québec has announced that the majority of Québec regions will transition to an orange zone as of May 31 (link).

  • May 19, 2021: The Minister of Tourism and the Minister of Culture and Communications confirmed that festivals and artistic, cultural and recreational events will be held in Québec this summer (link).

  • May 19, 2021: The Minister of Health and Social Services ordered the Ministerial Order 2021-037 (link).

  • May 19, 2021: The Ministry of Health and Social Services announced that the special emergency measures that were still in effect in some regions of Québec will be lifted as of Monday, May 24 (link).

  • May 19, 2021: The Government of Québec announced a gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions beginning May 28, 2021 (link).

  • May 5, 2021: The Government of Québec announced the end of special emergency measures and the implementation of maximum alert (red) alert measures in the Capital-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches regions effective May 10, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. (link).

  • April 30, 2021: The Government of Québec authorized the reopening of all preschool and primary schools in the Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches regions effective May 3, 2021 (link).

  • April 9, 2021: The Minister of the Economy and Innovation announced additional measures to the “Aide aux entreprises en régions en alerte maximale” (AERAM) in order to further mitigate the difficulties encountered by businesses due to the recent tightening of health regulations (link).

  • March 17, 2021: The Government of Québec announced the reopening of bars, leisure and tourist places in yellow zones starting March 26, 2021 (link).

  • March 17, 2021: The Government of Québec announced the reopening of show venues starting in red zones March 26, 2021 (link).

  • March 17, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that the curfew will begin at 9:30 pm in red zones starting March 17, 2021 (link).

  • March 12, 2021: The Minister of Tourism announced the reopening of spa establishments in areas in the orange zone starting March 15, 2021 and in regions in the red zone starting March 26, 2021 (link).

  • March 12, 2021: The Government of Québec announced that the current capacity for places of worship in areas in the red zone will increase from 10 people to 25 people starting March 26, 2021 (link).

  • March 12, 2021: The Government of Québec announced a gradual resumption of sports and leisure activities for all regions in Québec starting March 26, 2021 (link).

  • March 11, 2021: The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food introduced a bill in an effort to limit the amount of fees charged to restaurant owners who delegate delivery services to a third party provider during the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • February 25, 2021: The Minister of Tourism announced the Action Plan for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism (link).

  • February 19, 2021: The Government of Québec announced the easing of public health measures for single individuals and their children, if necessary, in the red and orange zones effective February 26, 2021 (link).

  • February 12, 2021: The Government of Quebec announced that individuals who received COVID-19 benefits will be exempt from paying interest on their 2020 tax balance for one year (link).

  • February 4, 2021: The Minister of Higher Education announced a series of adjustments to the health measures in force in higher education institutions in red zones (link).

  • February 3, 2021: The Minister of the Economy and Innovation announced that business owners who were subject to a COVID-19 closure order will be able to obtain a reimbursement for their fixed costs during their reopening period (link).

  • February 3, 2021: The Government of Québec announced the reopening of non-essential businesses, malls, libraries and museums effective February 8, 2021. Restaurants, theatres and gyms in orange zones will also be permitted to reopen at that time. (link).

  • January 13, 2021: Revenu Québec announced that easing measures put in place during the first wave of COVID-19 will be renewed in order to maintain all essential services (link).

  • January 8, 2021: The Minister of Education announced a series of new educational and health measures. A full list of the measures can be found here.

  • January 4, 2021: The Ministers of Health and Social Services and Higher Education announced the establishment of a scholarship program to encourage students in undergraduate nursing programs to volunteer in hospitals (link).

  • December 23, 2020: The Government of Québec announced relaxations to the criteria normally used to calculate the value of employees taxable benefits for use of an automobile in the 2020 and 2021 tax years (link).

  • December 17, 2020: The Government of Québec extended the assistance program for the maintenance of essential regional air services until March 31, 2021 (link).

  • December 16, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that businesses that are required to close between December 25, 2020 and January 10, 2020 will be eligible for the Assistance to Businesses in Regions on Maximum Alert (AERAM) program (link).

  • December 16, 2020: The Government of Québec announced a temporary simplified procedure for employees to claim telework expenses during the 2020 fiscal year (link).

  • December 11, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that emergency school daycare services will be provided from December 17-22, 2020 for students ages 4 to 13 whose parents have no other alternatives (link).

  • November 19, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that if the current epidemiological situation continues through mid-December, private gatherings will be authorized during the holiday season from December 24-27, 2020 (link).

  • November 17, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that professional and high level sports teams can resume training under certain conditions, including having a team bubble and 14-day isolation period prior to entering the bubble (link).

  • November 3, 2020: The Minister of the Economy and Innovation issued a reminder for businesses in red zone regions that they may be eligible for support under the AERAM program (link).

  • October 16, 2020: Prime Minister François Legault announced house-to-house candy collection will be permitted on Halloween, but has set out conditions that must be followed (link).

  • October 7, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that regulations regarding end-of-life visits will be relaxed, allowing family members to visit in certain circumstances (link).

  • October 6, 2020: All Québecers are invited to download the COVID-19 exposure notification application, COVID Alert, which can now be used in Quebec to fight the pandemic (link).

  • October 5, 2020: The Minister of Education announced a new web platform, Je responds present, designed to speed up the recruitment of individuals who are interested in becoming janitors or educators in schools or daycares (link).
  • October 1, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that certain businesses subject to closures in regions on maximum alert will be eligible for loan assistance (link).

  • September 25, 2020: The National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services announced that they will release two reports which will assess this risk of hospitalization for new confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, along with projections of the number of hospitalizations and bed occupancies for people with COVID-19 (link).

  • September 22, 2020: The Minister of Education announced the establishment of a new initiative to encourage recently retired teachers to lend support to the school network (link).

  • September 10, 2020: The Government of Quebec announced that it will hand out fines to those who refuse to wear masks (link).

  • August 19, 2020: The Government of Québec announced various reopening measures related to educational and instructional services (link).
  • August 10, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that wearing a mask will be mandatory in Québec schools for all students from the third cycle of elementary school as well as secondary (link).

  • August 10, 2020: The Government of Québec announced adjustments to its plan for the start of the school year to guarantee optimal learning conditions for students in a safe environment (link).

  • August 5, 2020: The Government of Québec has authorized outdoor public place gatherings of up to 250 persons (link).

  • August 1, 2020: The Government of Québec increased the order restricting indoor public places gatherings, including cinemas and theatres, from 50 people to 250 persons (link).

  • July 20, 2020: Effective July 20, 2020, the Bibliothèque et Archives nationaux du Québec will gradually resume operations by offering pre-scheduled appoints for visits to one of the various consultation centres (link).

  • July 15, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that employees can return to the workplace, so long as employers ensure that capacity is limited to 25% (or less) at all times (link).

  • July 13, 2020: The Government of Québec has announced that face covering will be mandatory as of July 18, 2020, in all indoor public spaces across the province (link).
  • June 30, 2020: Beginning July 13, 2020, all people 12 years of age and older must wear a face mask when taking public transportation (link).
  • June 29, 2020: The AMF announced that examinations, currently suspended as a result of COVID-19, will resume on July 6, 2020 in Montreal and July 7, 2020 in Quebec (link).
  • June 28, 2020: As of June 29, 2020, educational childcare services located in the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM), the regional county municipality (MRC) of Joliette, and the city of L'Épiphanie will be permitted to care for up to 75% of the maximum number of children indicated on their permits (link).
  • June 28, 2020: The Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services announced new directives regarding the arrival of caregivers and visitors to hospital(link).
  • June 23, 2020: L’Aquarium du Québec will reopen on June 29, 2020 (link).

  • June 23, 2020: The Québec City Convention Center has received approval from Québec Public Health for their COVID-19 Health Security Plan and is ready to host events and gatherings safely once activities resume (link).

  • June 19, 2020: The Québec Ministry of Health and Social Services announced its plan to reopen residential and long-term care centers (link).
  • June 18, 2020: Effective June 22, 2020, childcare establishments located outside the Metropolitan Community of Montreal, the regional county municipality of Joliette and the City of L'Épiphanie will be able to receive 100% of the maximum number children indicated on their license (link).
  • June 18, 2020: The General Directorate of Public Health has given the green light to the Quebec Government to abolish the rule of social distancing between children in the same group. Groups will remain limited to a maximum of 10 children (link).
  • June 17, 2020: The Musée de la Civilization will re-open on June 2020 (link).
  • June 17, 2020: As of June 22, 2020, indoor sports facilities as well as public and private beaches will be able to reopen. Team sport matches may also resume, in accordance with public health directives (link).
  • June 16, 2020: On June 20, 2020, Parc de la Chute-Montmorency will begin to partially re-open (link).
  • June 16, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that all schools will open in September 2020 (link).
  • June 16, 2020: Effective June 22, 2020, performance halls, theaters and cinemas will reopen at reduced capacity (link).
  • June 15, 2020: The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Québec announced the launch of the Québec Digital Judicial Registry, which is intended for activities in Court of Québec and the Superior Court of Québec (link).
  • June 15, 2020: Effective June 15, 2020, the Administrative Labor Court will commence in person hearings and conciliation sessions (link).
  • June 15, 2020: Indoor gatherings of 50 people will be permitted starting June 22, 2020. People will be required to maintain two meters distance between each other or one and a half meters when entering or exiting a venue such as a university classrooms or a movie theater. Two meters distancing and masks are still recommended for venues with a high volume of people (link).
  • June 15, 2020: Children 16 years old or younger can maintain a distance of one meter between each other starting June 22, 2020. Notably, this requirement will apply to daycares, schools and day camps (link).
  • June 13, 2020: The Government of Québec announced an agreement with the provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island to allow the passage of Québec tourists to the Magdalen Islands (link).

  • June 12, 2020: The Government of Québec announced the resumption of high-level sport activities and racetracks (link).

  • June 11, 2020: The Government of Québec has initiated another phase of reopening of the tourism sector. Starting June 19, 2020, zoos, gardens, artisans, touristic farms and tourism information centres can resume their activities (link).

  • June 11, 2020: The Government of Québec has announced that it will invest $753 million to help restart the tourism industry (link).
  • June 10, 2020: On June 15, 2020, training activities leading to a qualification will resume (link).
  • June 08, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that restaurants outside of Montreal can reopen starting June 15, 2020 and starting June 22, 2020 for restaurants within Montreal. Restaurants will have to respect a distance of 2 meters between clients of different households (link).

  • June 08, 2020: CNESST has published a guide for restaurant employers to restart their activities safely (link).

  • June 08, 2020: To maintain consistency with the reopening of restaurants, the Government of Québec also announced that indoor assemblies of 10 people or less, in residences or other private spaces, will now be permitted (link).

  • June 5, 2020: The Musee d’art Contemporain de Montreal (MAC) announced that it will reopen to visitors starting June 24, 2020 (link).

  • June 4, 2020: The Government of Québec announced the relaxation of facilitator to child ratios for day camps (link).

  • June 4, 2020: Government of Québec announced that team sports will be allowed to resume starting with practices on June 8, 2020, so long as the directives of public health authorities are respected. Matches will likely be allowed to resume at the end of June (link).

  • June 2, 2020: The Government of Québec announced an $11 million fund to assist certified day camps with hiring staff and to help with the increased costs related to their operations in the context of the current pandemic (link).
  • June 1, 2020: The Premier of Québec and the Minister of Culture and Communications announced a recovery plan for the cultural sector. The plan aims to stimulate artistic creation, revive the production of Québec cultural content and allow the community to adapt to new ways of reaching out to the public, in the context of the current pandemic (link).
  • June 1, 2020: The Government of Québec announced a $6 million investment to support the development of innovative technologies in the agriculture and food sectors (link).
  • May 30, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that outdoor spaces such as pools and playgrounds may open for the summer (link).

  • May 30, 2020: The Government of Québec announced a partial lifting of the ban on open fires in or near the forest (link).

  • May 29, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that personal service businesses such as hair salons, barbers, beauty centers, and tattoo parlors can re-open in the Metropolitan Community of Montreal starting June 15, 2020 (link).

  • May 29, 2020: The Government of Québec announced the removal of road checkpoints for la Côte-Nord staring June 1, 2020, and la Jamésie et des Terres-Cries-de-la-Baie-James starting June 9, 2020 (link).

  • May 28, 2020: The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced the resumption of hearings before the Régie du Logement starting June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 28, 2020: The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Quebec announced that judicial activities will gradually resume in Quebec courthouses starting June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 27, 2020 : Camp sites, marinas and tourism residences can re-open starting June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 27, 2020: The CNESST published a guide specific to the camping and touristic lodging sectors (link).

  • May 26, 2020: Shopping malls outside of the Montreal Metropolitan Community can re-open on June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 26, 2020: The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec will provide walk in services starting June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 25 2020: The Government of Québec updated the list of sectors to re-open on June 1, 2020 to include therapeutic care, dental care, esthetic care and animal care sectors (link).

  • May 25 2020: The CNESST is preparing guides in collaboration with public health for the re-opening of all sectors (link).

  • May 24, 2020: The Minister of Transportation announced that mountain biking and motocross are now permitted (link).

  • May 22, 2020: The Commission for Standards, Equity, Health and Safety at Work (CNESST) is making specific tools available to support employees in museums and libraries in re-opening (link).

  • May 21, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that summer day camps may reopen as of June 22, 2020, with reduced counsellor/camper ratios and other distancing and hygiene measures. Sleepaway camps will remain closed until summer 2021, however, specialized sleepaway camps for children with disabilities will operate during summer 2020 (link).

  • May 21, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that as of June 1, 2020 private health care as well as body and beauty care providers outside the Metropolitan Community of Montreal (CMM) may reopen. This includes dental care, optometry, physiotherapy, osteopathy, hairdressing and esthetic services. Within the CMM and in the MRC de Joliette, only dental care, therapeutic care and animal grooming care may resume on June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 20, 2020: The Government of Québec announced the easing of restrictions on outdoor gatherings. Starting Friday, May 22, 2020, residents will be able to gather outdoors in groups up to 10 from three households, provided they respect physical distancing. Indoor gatherings remain prohibited (link).

  • May 18, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that it will end restricted hours of operation one week earlier than expected. As of May 24, the usual regulations concerning hours of operation will apply. All commercial establishments currently authorized to open their doors will be able to reopen on Sundays (link).

  • May 18, 2020: The Government of Québec confirmed the reopening of some stores and childcare services in the Montreal region in the coming weeks. Shops with an exterior customer door can open on May 25, 2020. Educational childcare services for children can open on June 1, 2020. Retail businesses that do not have direct access to the outside must remain closed until further notice (link).

  • May 15, 2020: The Government of Québec announced the gradual resumption of medically assisted procreation starting May 18, 2020 (link).

  • May 15, 2020: The Government of Québec will begin to remove certain highway checkpoints that have been preventing inter-regional travel starting May 18, 2020 (link).

  • May 13, 2020: The Québec Standards, Equity, Health and occupational safety (CNESST) released a guide on health standards in the workplace in respect of leisure, sport and outdoor activities with a view to a gradual and safe recovery (link).

  • May 13, 2020: The Government of Québec announced certain recreational activities such as golf, cycling, tennis and hiking will resume starting May 20, 2020. The provincial SEPAQ parks will being to re-open on May 20, 2020 (link).

  • May 13, 2020: Premier François Legault recommended that all Quebecers continue to take all usual precautions in order to reduce as much as possible the risks of spread of COVID-19, including wear a mask or face covering when leaving their house (link).

  • May 11, 2020: The Government of Québec announced the re-opening of the manufacturing sector (link).

  • May 11, 2020: The Government of Québec announced the resumption of work at all construction sites (link).

  • May 8, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that real estate brokers working in the residential and commercial sector, land surveyors, building inspectors and appraisers as well as certified appraisers may resume activities on May 11, 2020 (link).

  • May 8, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that all construction work may resume on May 11, 2020 (link).

  • May 7, 2020: The Government of Québec postponed the re-opening of retail stores with exterior operating doors, schools, and child care services in Montreal until May 25, 2020 (link).

  • May 5, 2020: The Government of Québec released a guide and checklist for maintaining safety on busses, trains and the metro (link).

  • May 5, 2020: The Government of Québec relaxed certain containment measures in the various living environments for seniors and for persons with an impairment or an autism spectrum disorder (link).

  • May 4, 2020: The Government of Québec released a guide, poster, and daily checklist for maintaining safety in school environments (link).

  • May 4, 2020: The Government of Québec released a Guide to Health Standards in the Workplace for Child Care and a Guide for Family Child Care (link).

  • May 4, 2020: The opening of retail operations with an exterior operating door in the Montreal region has been postponed to May 18, 2020 (link).

  • May 4, 2020: Parliamentary leaders have agreed on the terms for the gradual resumption of parliamentary business at the National Assembly of Quebec (link).

  • April 29, 2020: The Government of Québec announced a plan to gradually withdraw police checkpoints and re-open regions of Québec (link).

  • April 28, 2020: Retail operations outside of the Montreal region with exterior operating doors will be allowed to open May 4, 2020, and those inside the Montreal region may re-open May 11, 2020 (link).

  • April 28, 2020: Manufacturing companies in all regions of Québec may resume activities on May 11, 2020, with a maximum of 50 workers + 50% of surplus employees per shift at any time on the same site. On May 25, 2020, manufacturing companies from all regions of Québec may resume activities (link).

  • April 28, 2020: The Government of Québec announced that on May 11, 2020 the construction industry can re-open (link).

  • April 28, 2020: With the gradual re-opening of businesses, the CNESST has published a guide of sanitary norms to protect workers from COVID-19 (link).

Newfoundland and Labrador

  • March 2, 2022: The Government of Newfoundland announced a phased approach to lifting long-term public health restrictions with all restrictions set to be lifted by March 14, 2022, provided epidemiology remains favourable (link).

  • February 21, 2022: The Government of Newfoundland announced an update to the Special Measures Order on the activities and gatherings restrictions (link).

  • February 10, 2022: The Government of Newfoundland announced an update to the Special Measures Orders on activities and gatherings restrictions (link).

  • February 8, 2022: The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced it would begin easing COVID-19 restrictions (link).

  • January 20, 2022: The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced that K-12 students, teachers and staff will return to in-person classes on Tuesday, January 25 (link).

  • January 20, 2022: The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced changes on how asymptomatic contacts of cases are managed and on travel restrictions (link).

  • January 18, 2022: The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced that the decision on whether to resume in-person classes on January 24 has been deferred to Thursday, January 20 (link). 

  • January 7, 2022: Public Health introduced a shorter isolation period for people who have COVID-19 or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19 (link).

  • December 28, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that the province is now in the Level 2 phase of its winter plan (link).

  • November 17, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced that mandatory vaccine regulations will come into effect next month (link).

  • November 12, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced the NLVaxVerify is now able to accept Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination QR codes from all provinces and territories in Canada (link).

  • November 12, 2021: The Chief Medical Officer of Health announced an update to the Special Measures Order for formal gatherings (link).

  • October 29, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced enhanced public health measures to protect children and keep schools open (link).

  • October 25, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland released a public advisory regarding its proof of vaccination program (link).

  • October 21, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced a reminder for all travellers to fill out their travel form before travelling (link).

  • October 15, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced details of the province’s mandatory vaccination policy (link).
     
  • October 8, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced the resolution of technical issues with the vaccine passport download (link).
     
  • October 7, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced the implementation of the vaccine passport for residents and businesses (link).
  • September 28, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced the extension of the application deadline for both the Tourism and Hospitality Support Program and the Artist Support Program until October 14, 2021 (link).

  • August 27, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced that provincial ferries will return to full capacity (link).

  • August 13, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced that masks will no longer be mandatory in most indoor public spaces such as restaurants, stores, gyms, personal services and performance venues. Masking will continue to be mandatory in congregate living facilities for seniors and regional health authority facilities. Some businesses may also choose to maintain the mask requirement based on their own COVID-19 policies (link).

  • July 30, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced that on August 1, 2021, the province will be moving to step two of the reopening plan (link).

  • July 21, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland welcomed the Government of Canada’s decision to ease border restrictions, which will permit fully vaccinated travelers from Saint Pierre et Miquelon and the United States to enter the province (link).

  • June 15, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced re-opening to Atlantic Canada (link).

  • March 26, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced that restrictions on provincial ferries would be eased starting March 27, 2021 (link).

  • March 24, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced mass testing for asymptomatic people in Zone 4 (Edmundston region), taking place from March 25-26, 2021 (link).

  • January 8, 2021: The Government of Newfoundland announced that applications for the Tourism and Hospital Support Program are being accepted until January 29, 2021 (link).

  • December 30, 2020: The Government of Newfoundland extended the reporting deadline for the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Statutory Review until March 31, 2021 (link).

  • December 15, 2020: The Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology announced that the deadline for the Small Business Assistance Program has been extended until December 22, 2020 (link).

  • December 2, 2020: The Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture announced that the Provincial Government will carry over 25 per cent of unsold 2020 non-resident moose licences to the 2021 hunting season in eligible areas (link).

  • November 23, 2020: The Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities announced that applications for the province’s COVID-19 Stimulus Program are now open. The deadline to submit an application is December 7, 2020 (link).

  • October 22, 2020: The Government of Newfoundland announced that they will extend MCP dental coverage under the Children’s Dental Health Program for those children whose benefits expired while dental offices were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • September 9, 2020: The Government of Newfoundland announced that, effective September 10, 2020, operators of personal care homes, long-term care facilities, community care homes, and assisted living facilities are permitted to allow their staff to work across multiple health care locations (link).
  • September 3, 2020: The Government of Newfoundland announced a new set of measures for a healthy and safe return to school (link).
  • August 7, 2020: The provincially-owned and operated pools in Gander and Corner Brook will re-open on Monday, August 10 (link).
  • July 7, 2020: Beginning Tuesday, July 14, Service NL’s Motor Registration Division and Government Service Centres will begin their next phase of resuming services (link).

  • July 6, 2020: The Provincial Parks Campsite Reservation Service will open additional campsites for reservations on Wednesday, July 8 (link).

  • June 30, 2020: Provincial historic sites across the province will re-open their doors in a multi-phased approach (link).

  • June 29, 2020: New summer schedules for some provincial ferry routes will begin on Wednesday, July 1 (link).
  • June 24, 2020: Effective June 25, 2020, Newfoundland and Labrador will enter Alert level 2 which allows for the re-opening of more businesses and an increase in social activities (link).
  • June 24, 2020: Interprovincial travel without the requirement to self-isolate will be permitted in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, PEI, and Nova Scotia, for residents of Atlantic Canada as of July 3, 2020 (link).
  • June 9, 2020: Beginning June 11, 2020, the Provincial Parks Campsite Reservation Service will begin accepting reservations for the 2020 camping season for all Provincial Parks (link).

  • June 7, 2020: Effective June 8, 2020, Newfoundland and Labrador will enter Alert Level 3. The focus of Alert Level 3 is to control the transmission of COVID-19, while further relaxing public health measures (link).

  • June 4, 2020: Starting June 8, 2020, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will begin the process of gradually increasing the number of public service employees in physical workplaces (link).

  • June 1, 2020: The Speaker of the House of Assembly announced that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador would like the House of Assembly to reconvene on June 9, 2020 for the purpose of conducting public business not attended to due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (link).
  • May 27, 2020: The Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development began reinstating in-person family visitation where it is in the best interest of children and youth in care (link).

  • May 10, 2020: The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced that the easing of measures associated with Alert Level 4 will begin on May 11, 2020 and will include gatherings of up to 10 people in public spaces, the resumption of some healthcare services and the re-opening of some businesses (link).

  • May 8, 2020: The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced that the province in now lowered to Alert Level 4 and some health restrictions will be eased, including travel restrictions on provincial ferries (link).

  • May 5, 2020: The House of Assembly passed a resolution to establish a Select Committee of Rules and Procedures Governing Virtual Proceedings of the House of Assembly, which will determine the manner in which the House may conduct virtual proceedings (link).

  • May 1, 2020: The Minister responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation announced initiatives to support business recovery, such as the waiver of liquor licence fees for the 2020-21 fiscal year and discounts wines and spirits, and ready to drink beverages (link).

  • April 30, 2020: Households may now join with one other household to form a two-household bubble (link).

  • April 30, 2020: The Chief Medical Officer of Health announced A Foundation for Living with COVID-19 which provides five alert levels for the gradual relaxation of restrictions. Households may now interact with one other household to form a household bubble (link).

New Brunswick

  • March 10, 2022: The Government of New Brunswick announced that they will lift all remaining mandatory measures against COVID-19 on March 14 (link).

  • February 24, 2022: The Government of New Brunswick announced that all remaining COVID-19 mandatory measures will be lifted March 14 (link).

  • February 18, 2022: The Government of New Brunswick announced that the province will move to Level 1, the least restrictive level of its winter plan to manage COVID-19 (link).

  • February 18, 2022: The Government of New Brunswick announced new COVID-19 relief funding for sports organizations. A one-time financial relief of up to $10,000 will be available for eligible organizations (link).

  • February 9, 2022: The Government of New Brunswick announced that it will move to Level 1 of its winter plan to manage COVID-19 on February 18 at 11:59 p.m. (link).

  • January 28, 2022: The Government of New Brunswick announced that it will move to Level 2 of its winter plan to manage COVID-19 on January 28 at 11:59 p.m. (link).

  • January 21, 2022: The Government of New Brunswick announced that the province is on track to return to Level 2 of its winter plan on January 30 (link).

  • December 21, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that the province is moving to a revised version of Level 2 of the Winter Plan effective December 27, at 11:59 P.M. Rapid testing is encouraged for all during the holiday season (link).

  • December 5, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that the entire province was in the level 1 phase of its Winter Action Plan (link).

  • December 3, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced the details of the Winter Action Plan, which outlines measures for living with COVID-19 (link).

  • November 16, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that the new Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination document, which includes a QR code, is available on MyHealthNB and updated circuit breaker zones (link).

  • November 11, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that circuit breaker measures in Zone 2 will end Friday, November 12, 2021 (link).

  • November 10, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced the circuit breaker measures will end in Zone 2, be extended in some areas of Zone 1 and are expanded to include most of Zone 7 (link).

  • November 2, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick updated which areas are to remain as circuit breaker zones (link).

  • November 1, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick updated which areas are to remain as circuit breaker zones (link).

  • October 31, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick updated which areas are to remain as circuit breaker zones (link).

  • October 28, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced the extension of the circuit breaker in Zone 2. It also announced that unvaccinated children who have had close contacts will no longer be required to present negative rapid test results at school (link).

  • October 27, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that quick proof of vaccination is now available through MyHealthNB (link).

  • October 24, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that the rapid screening kit pick up program will expand and that the circuit breaker remains in effect for certain areas for at least seven more days (link).

  • October 21, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that the circuit breaker measures are to be extended for at least seven more days and that Zone 5 will enter a 14-day circuit break beginning October 22, 2021 (link).

  • October 17, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced the roll out of a province-wide rapid testing program (link).

  • October 14, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced the expansion of the rapid-testing program to people in circuit breaker areas (link).

  • September 29, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick released a statement from the Director of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission regarding mandatory vaccination and the Human Rights Act (link).

  • September 22, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick reconfirmed the proof of vaccination requirements and mandatory masking requirements (link).

  • September 21, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick confirmed that proof of vaccination requirements will be effective starting on September 21st at 11:59 p.m. (link).

  • September 20, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that effective September 21st, people will be required to wear masks in indoor public spaces (link).

  • September 15, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that effective September 21st, people will be required to show proof of vaccination when accessing certain events, services and businesses, and anyone entering New Brunswick must preregister their travel (link).

  • August 20, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced requirements for return to school, including requiring school and district staff to be vaccinated, the expansion of class sizes, introduction of extra safety measures for students under 12, and masking requirements (link).

  • July 23, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that the province’s mandatory order will not be renewed at midnight on July 30, 2021, which will lift all mandatory travel and public health restrictions, all provincial border restrictions, all limits on gatherings and the number of people within a facility, and will end the mandatory mask requirement (link).

  • June 16, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that as of midnight, the province had officially entered Phase 2 on the path toward the Green level of the COVID-19 recovery plan. This is a revision of their statement made on June 15, 2021 (link).

  • June 15, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that the province will enter the first phase on the path toward the Green level of the COVID-19 recovery plan, since the province met their vaccination goal, with 75% of eligible New Brunswickers having received their first COVID-19 vaccine (link).

  • June 7, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that Phase 1 of their COVID-19 recovery plan will come into effect once 75 per cent of New Brunswickers have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Public Health reported that as of June 7, 2021, 70.3 per cent of New Brunswickers aged 12 and older have received their first dose (link).

  • May 28, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that the New Brunswick Small Business Recovery Grant program will be enhanced and extended until green level of recovery is reached (link).

  • May 27, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced guidelines outlining the path toward the Green level of the COVID-19 recovery plan (link).

  • May 27, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced the renewal of the Explore NB Travel Incentive Program (link).

  • April 21, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced investments to improve access to technology for students and experiential learning opportunities to help ensure schools stay safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • April 15, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that a section of Zone 4 including the communities of Grand Falls, Saint-Léonard, Drummond, New Denmark and Four Falls will move from the Red level to Orange, effective April 16, 2021 (link).

  • April 7, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that in-person learning is anticipated at colleges and universities in the fall (link).

  • March 19, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that high school students will return to full-time in-person learning on April 12 (link).

  • March 18, 2021: The Council of the Atlantic Premiers announced a plan to ease regional travel restrictions (link).

  • March 2, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced that the eligibility for the Small Business Recovery Grant program will be expanded to include non-essential retailers located in lockdown zones and tourism operators (link).

  • February 26, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced a pilot project to provide rapid testing for asymptomatic individuals who regularly travel across the border for work and other approved purposes (link).

  • January 29, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced the expansion of household bubbles under the Orange level to include 10 contacts (a steady 10) from outside the household effective midnight tonight (link).

  • January 5, 2021: The Government of New Brunswick announced additional relief for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 in the form of a non-repayable grant (link).

  • December 23, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick announced that its COVID-19 vaccination program is now underway at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre for Zone 1 front-line health-care workers (link).

  • December 10, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick announced that Zone 2 (Saint John region) will return to the Yellow level effective midnight tonight (link).

  • December 6, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick announced that Zone 1 (Moncton region) and Zone 3 (Fredericton) will return to the Yellow level effective midnight tonight (link).

  • November 10, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick announced that parents and guardians can now access their child’s COVID-19 test results online (link).

  • October 12, 2020: Service New Brunswick has made changes to services in Orange zones and is reducing some services in Zone 1 (Moncton region) and Zone 5 (Campbellton region).

  • September 18, 2020: A COVID-19 exposure notification app has been made available to residents of New Brunswick (link).

  • September 17, 2020: Residents of the Témiscouata Municipal Regional County in Quebec, along the northwestern New Brunswick border, will not be permitted to enter the province for day trips effective immediately (link).

  • September 8, 2020: Elections New Brunswick outlined the reporting process that will provide the results of the upcoming provincial general election, after the polls close at 8 p.m. on September 14, 2020 (link).

  • September 3, 2020: Operational plans for the safe return to school are now available online. Parents are encouraged to visit the website of their child’s school or school district for up to date information on the return to school in September 2020 (link).
  • September 2, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick has announced that students may participate in music education and related activities during the upcoming school year. The Government further announced that classroom bubbles or groupings will be introduced in the upcoming school year in order to help protect the health and safety of students in kindergarten to Grade 8 by limiting their contacts and facilitating contact tracing, if required (link).

  • August 25, 2020: The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, in consultation with Public Health officials, have released return to school plans which outline how students will participate in sports and extracurricular activities (link).

  • August 17, 2020: Following the call for a provincial election to be held on September 14, 2020, the Chief Electoral Officer cautioned that it will take time to re-open all 50 offices to the public and candidates (link).

  • August 13, 2020: The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development released a detailed guide supporting the Return to School September 2020 plan for the public-school system (link).

  • July 1, 2020: All Service New Brunswick Centres will reopen by July 13 (link).

  • June 29, 2020: The Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development lifted all restrictions on Crown land that were put in place earlier this month (link) .
  • June 25, 2020: Effective June 25, 2020, zone 5 will join the rest of the province in the yellow level of reopening (link).
  • June 25, 2020: Starting today, the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development has resumed limited activities on Crown land (link).
  • June 24, 2020: Interprovincial travel without the requirement to self-isolate will be permitted in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, PEI, and Nova Scotia, for residents of Atlantic Canada as of July 3, 2020 (link).

  • June 19, 2020: The provincial government’s COVID-19 recovery plan is moving to the next phase of the yellow level today for all areas of the province except Zone 5, and includes the gradual reopening of more businesses and activities while working to prevent a resurgence of the virus (link).

  • June 9, 2020: Courts across the province have now resumed full dockets. While courts have returned to near normal dockets, it will not necessarily be business as usual. Alternative options for attending court, such as telephone or video conferencing for certain types of hearings, will remain in place (link).
  • June 5, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick announced that as the “yellow” level progresses, more restrictions will continue to be eased. As part of this easing of restrictions, among other activities, low-contact sports and certain indoor recreation facilities will be permitted to re-open (link).
  • June 4, 2020: Service New Brunswick centers in Sussex and Tracadie will begin taking appointments starting June 4, 2020 for services that cannot be delivered online or by phone (link).
  • May 28, 2020: Service New Brunswick is preparing to resume Class 5 driver road tests (link).

  • May 22, 2020: The provincially run Mactaquac Golf Course is scheduled to re-open on June 5, 2020 (link).

  • May 22, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick is moving to the “yellow” level of its recovery plan. Effective immediately, the province is recommending gatherings indoors be limited to 10 or fewer people. Non-regulated health professionals and businesses and personal services may re-open, also effective immediately. Further re-opening will take place on May 29, 2020 (link).

  • May 21, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick announced that driver’s licence renewals, which normally require an in-person visit to a Service New Brunswick centre and were thus suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions, are now renewable online (link).

  • May 19, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick announced that teachers will begin to return to schools as early as June 1. Schools will remain closed for students (link).

  • May 18, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick reminded tenants that the section of the province’s state of emergency legislation which prevented evictions for non-payment of rent will end on May 31 (link).

  • May 15, 2020: The Department of Justice and Office of the Attorney General announced that the Court of Queen’s Bench in the judicial district of Fredericton will move all of its matters to the Fredericton Convention Centre. The decision is meant to accommodate spacing requirements to hold jury selections and jury trials (link).

  • May 15, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick announced that provincial libraries are preparing to open (link).

  • May 12, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick released guidelines for farmers markets that are permitted to re-open (link).

  • May 12, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick announced that provincial parks and other major tourism attractions will re-open in the coming weeks (link).

  • May 8, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick announced that they transitioned to Phase 2 of their recovery plan (link).

  • May 4, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick launched JobMatchNB, a virtual job matching platform to connect New Brunswickers with available positions (link).

  • April 29, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick announced that it is transitioning to the orange phase of the recovery plan, aimed at re-opening social and economic settings while preventing a resurgence of transmission (link).

  • April 24, 2020: The Government of New Brunswick announced the first phase of New Brunswick's recovery plan and the loosening of some public health restrictions (link).

Nova Scotia

  • May 19, 2022: The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development announced it will remove mask requirements in public schools beginning May 24, 2022 (link).

  • April 22, 2022: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that adults 70+ can now book an additional vaccine booster dose and children aged 12-17 are encouraged to get a booster dose (link).

  • April 7, 2022: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that long-term care residents and adults 70 and older in Nova Scotia will soon be able to book a second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine (link).

  • April 6, 2022: The Government of Nova Scotia introduced legislation to give provincially regulated companies, co-operatives, societies and condominium corporations the option to continue meeting virtually or with a mix of in-person and virtual participants (link).

  • March 18, 2022: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that it will enter Phase 3 of reopening on March 21 (link).

  • March 4, 2022: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that it will ease restrictions. It also announced that as of March 7 at 12:01 am, Phase 2 of the its reopening plan will begin (link).

  • February 23, 2022: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that it will be easing restrictions starting February 28 with all restrictions to be lifted on March 21 (link).

  • February 18, 2022: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that, effective February 20, 2022, the state of emergency will be renewed until March 6, 2022 (link).

  • February 16, 2022: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that eligible post-secondary students will receive a one-time COVID-19 grant of $875 to assist in paying bills (link).

  • February 9, 2022: The Government of Nova Scotia announced a three-phase plan to ease public health restrictions. Phase 1 will start on Monday, February 14, 2022 and will see events be allowed again, gathering limits increase, and border restrictions for domestic travellers lifted (link).

  • January 10, 2022: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that businesses impacted by the latest public health restrictions may now apply for support through the Sector Impact Program. Businesses can be eligible for grants of $2,500, $5,000, or $7,500 depending on gross payroll cost or gross revenue in November 2021 (link). More information regarding eligibility criteria and the application can be found here.

  • December 22, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced the relaunch of Nova Scotia’s COVID-10 Paid Sick Leave Program. It is expected to relaunch on January 10, 2022 and be in place until March 31, 2022 (link).

  • December 17, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced a grant program to support businesses impacted by the latest round of COVID-19 restrictions (link).

  • December 3, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia provided a fifth update on vaccination mandates for key sectors and the provincial civil service (link).
  • November 30, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia provided a fourth update on vaccination mandates for key sectors and the provincial civil service (link).

  • November 26, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia expanded the Take-Home Test Kits Program for Kids (link).

  • November 24, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia provided a third update on vaccination mandates for key sectors and the provincial civil service (link).

  • October 27, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that starting November 1, 2021, all domestic travellers to Nova Scotia who are age 12 and older will have self-isolation requirements based on vaccination status (link).

  • October 17, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced the closure of Darmouth South Academic to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (link).

  • October 14, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced third doses will be available to immunocompromised people and people who need to travel for work to meet entry requirements or avoid isolation in a country that does not recognized mixed doses (link).

  • October 8, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced the closure of Duc d’Anville Elementary from October 12-15 to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (link).

  • October 6, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that all 11,000 direct employees of the provincial government will be required to be fully vaccinated by November 30 2021 (link).

  • October 4, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that Nova Scotia’s vaccine mandate has been updated to include provincial correctional services and the regulated child-care sector (link).

  • October 4, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that Nova Scotians can add COVID-19 vaccines that they received outside the province or through a workplace vaccination program to their Nova Scotia proof of vaccination (link).

  • September 29, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that healthcare and education workers must be vaccinated by November 30, 2021 (link).

  • September 29, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced new take-home test kits for pre-primary to grade 6 students (link).

  • September 29, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced Phase 5 of the reopening plan will start October 4, 2020 with a cautious approach (link).

  • September 15, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced it will delay the starting of Phase 5 of its reopening plan until October 4th, when the proof of full vaccination policy begins for certain events and activities (link).

  • September 8, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that it will be moving to Phase 5 of the reopening plan on September 15, 2021 (link).

  • August 23, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that its return to school plan will require a commitment to vaccination, staying home if unwell, hand sanitization, use of masks and cleaning of high touch surfaces (link).

  • July 12, 2021: Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang announced that Nova Scotia will start the fourth phase of its reopening plan on Wednesday, July 14 (link).

  • July 2, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that international travelers can come to Nova Scotia following federal requirements effective Monday, July 5, aligning with the federal government’s approach to easing border measures for international travelers (link).

  • June 29, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that effective June 30, public health restrictions will be eased as the province enters Phase 3 of its reopening plan (link).

  • June 24, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that effective June 30 at 8 a.m., Nova Scotia will welcome people arriving from New Brunswick without restrictions. These individuals will not have to self-isolate or complete the Nova Scotia Health Check form (link).

  • June 22, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that the province’s borders are opening to travelers from the three other Atlantic provinces, effective June 23 at 8:00 am. The province will open to travelers from outside Atlantic Canada on June 30 (link).

  • June 18, 2021: The province of Nova Scotia asked the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia to lift the injunction on illegal gatherings now that the province has moved into Phase 2 of its reopening plan (link).

  • June 16, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that the Registry of Motor Vehicles began rebooking driver road tests today, as it is the first day of Phase 2 of the province’s reopening plan (link).

  • June 15, 2021: Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang announced that Nova Scotia is lifting its border restrictions and opening to the rest of Atlantic Canada on June 23 (link).

  • May 28, 2021: Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, announced that the province will reopen gradually under a five-phase plan (link).

  • May 28, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that in-person classes will resume June 2, at all Nova Scotia public and private schools outside of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and Sydney. At-home learning will continue for students in HRM and Sydney, but there will be some exceptions for students with highly complex needs. Also on June 2, licensed child-care centres and family daycare homes across the province can return to 100 per cent capacity (link).

  • May 21, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that it is investing $17.2 million more in the Small Business Impact Grant Part 3 program to support small businesses affected by the ongoing provincial COVID-19 restrictions (link).

  • May 12, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced access to paid sick leave for Nova Scotians who must take time off work due to COVID-19 (link).

  • May 4, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced more than $12 million in additional support for Nova Scotia businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through three programs: (1) the Tourism Accommodations Real Property Tax Rebate Program; (2) the Small Business Real Property Tax Rebate Program; and (3) the Small Impact Business Grant (link).

  • April 6, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced the easing of certain public health restrictions, and the opening of the Newfoundland and Labrador border, effective April 7, 2021 at 8:00am (link).

  • March 30, 2021:The Government of Nova Scotia announced that physicians and regulated health professionals can continue to offer publicly funded services virtually until March 31, 2022 (link).

  • March 30, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced the opening of the first COVID-19 compliant courthouse. Trials will begin in the building on March 31, 2021 (link).

  • March 23, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia released its Capital Plan for 2021-22, investing $1.17 billion in schools, hospitals and improved infrastructure around the province (link).

  • March 19, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that the New Brunswick border is opening and remaining restrictions in parts of Halifax Regional Municipality and surrounding communities will be lifted effective March 20, 2021 (link).

  • March 16, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that COVID-19 public health mobile units will start vaccinating homeless shelters in Halifax starting in April, 2021 (link).

  • March 4, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that the province is lifting and/or modifying restrictions in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and its neighbouring communities (link).

  • February 5, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia announced the easing of public health restrictions, effective February 8, 2021 (link).

  • January 13, 2021: The Government of Nova Scotia opened applications for the Forest Sector Safety Measures Fund (link).

  • December 31, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that restaurants and licensed establishments in Halifax Regional Municipality and Hants County can reopen for dine-in service starting January 4, 2021 (link).

  • December 18, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that the deadline for asymptomatic individuals to book a COVID-19 test has been extended into January 2021 (link).

  • December 13, 2020: The deadline for asymptomatic individuals to book a COVID-19 test has been extended until December 18, 2020 (link).

  • December 10, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that the holiday break for public school students will be extended until January 11, 2020 (link).

  • December 9, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that the physician payment codes for virtual care options have been extended until March 31, 2021 (link).

  • December 7, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that starting December 8, 2020, asymptomatic individuals can book a COVID-19 test (link).

  • December 7, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that all students who are recipients of Nova Scotia Student Assistance for the 2020-2021 school year will receive a one-time COVID-19 Response Grant (link).

  • November 26, 2020: A one-time grant of up to $5,000 is being made available to support businesses in Halifax Regional Municipality and Hants County that have been ordered by Public Health to temporarily close in response to rising cases of COVID-19 in their communities (link).

  • November 24, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced the implementation of a broad asymptomatic testing strategy for people attending or employed by late-night bars and restaurants. Specifically, the Government has encouraged anyone who works at a licensed establishment or attended a bar or restaurant in Halifax Regional Municipality after 10 p.m. in the last two weeks, to be tested irrespectives of it if they are asymptomatic (link).
  • November 19, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced the establishment of six Regional Care Units to protect the health and safety of seniors in long-term care from the spread of COVID-19 (link).

  • November 3, 2020: The Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development announced that public school gyms will gradually reopen to community groups for physical activity and sports (link).

  • October 29, 2020: The Minister of Business announced the Tourism Accommodations Real Property Tax Rebate Program to help with COVID-19 recovery. The program will provide a 25 percent rebate to qualified operators and opens on November 16, 2020. (link).

  • October 6, 2020: The Premier announced that the province is increasing its testing capacity through increased capacity at individual testing centres, increased speed of testing for children, and increased lab capacity (link).

  • October 1, 2020: Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced that improvements are being made to ensure Nova Scotians with symptoms of COVID-19 get tested faster. The first step is a new online COVID-19 self-assessment tool, which will dramatically reduce the wait time for screening (link).

  • September 25, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that physicians’ payment codes for virtual patient visits will continue to be available until December 31, 2020 (link).

  • September 22, 2020: Easing of restrictions in long-term care facilities has allowed residents the opportunity to enjoy off-site day visits with family in their homes (link).
  • September 16, 2020: Tourism Nova Scotia launched new marketing campaigns encouraging locals and Maritimers to keep rediscovering Nova Scotia throughout the fall (link).

  • September 11, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced the easing of some self-isolation requirements for out-of-province rotational workers upon their return to Nova Scotia (link).

  • September 8, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced a further easing of restrictions in long-term care homes to allow designated caregivers to help care for and support residents (link).
  • September 2, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia has announced a back to school plan in order to facilitate the safe return of students and staff to the classroom (link).
  • August 26, 2020: Nova Scotia announced the easing of restrictions in long-term care facilities, increased gatherings, and sets group size of 15 children for before and after-school care programs (link).

  • August 20, 2020: Post-secondary students entering the province from outside Atlantic Canada will be required to be tested for COVID-19 and self-isolate for 14 days (link).

  • August 14, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia revised the province’s back to school plan to mandate non-medical masks for students in grades 4 to 12 (link).

  • July 30, 2020: Nova Scotians without ready access to non-medical masks can now get reusable, cloth masks free at all public libraries and 23 provincial museums (link).

  • July 22, 2020: Public school students across Nova Scotia will return to class in September 2020 (link).

  • July 2, 2020: Effective July 3, 2020, travelers from other Atlantic Canadian provinces will be required to show proof of residency before being granted access into the province (link).

  • June 25, 2020: Some provincial museums will reopen starting July 1, 2020. Visitors will be required to practice physical distancing and follow the site-specific guidelines (link).
  • June 18, 2020: The Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia announced that people can gather in groups of up to 10 without physical distancing. Gatherings of up to 50 will also be permitted, but people must observe physical distancing of at least 2 meters (link).
  • June 12, 2020: The Chief Medical Officer of Health released COVID-19 guidelines that all summer day camps must follow (link).
  • June 10, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced the easing of some visitor restrictions in long-term care homes and homes for persons with disabilities (link).
  • June 2, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that licensed child care centers and family daycare homes can re-open starting June 15, 2020 (link).
  • May 29, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia increased the gathering limit to 10 people (link).

  • May 29, 2020: The Shubenacadie Wildlife Park will re-open on June 1, 2020, and provincial campgrounds can re-open on June 15, 2020 (link).

  • May 27, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced that most businesses required to close under the public health order can re-open starting June 5, 2020 (link).

  • May 15, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced the easing of certain public health measures. Families may now create a family bubble between two immediate family households. Additionally, a variety of outdoor activities are now permitted (link).

  • May 8, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia plans to re-open daycares on June 8, 2020 (link).

  • May 1, 2020: The Government of Nova Scotia announced the easing of some public health restrictions around outdoor and recreational activities (link).

Prince Edward Island

  • May 20, 2022: The Chief Public Health Officer announced that mask mandates in early learning and child care centers, K-12 public and private schools and on school buses will end May 24, 2022 (link).

  • May 5, 2022: The Chief Public Health Officer announced a strong recommendation that individuals continue to wear masks in indoor settings and reminds Islanders that masks are still required in high risk areas effective May 6, 2022 (link).

  • May 4, 2022: The Chief Public Health Officer announced that wastewater collection to test for COVID-19 as part of PEI’s plan to transition to “living with COVID-19” will begin on May 5, 2022 (link).

  • April 26, 2022: The Chief Public Health Officer announced that the mask mandate will end on May 6, 2022, and point of entry screening and voluntary testing will end on April 28, 2022 (link).

  • April 8, 2022: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced the availability of a second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to Islanders 70 years of age and older, and other populations to increase their protection against COVID-19 and its variants (link).

  • April 5, 2022: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced a move to Step 3 of its Moving On plan at midnight (link).

  • March 28, 2022: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that Health PEI Cough and Fever Clinics in Charlottetown and Slemon Park will end on March 31 as routine care for Islanders with respiratory illness is transitioned back to family physician offices and walk-in clinics (link).

  • March 17, 2022: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced the beginning of Step 2 of its reopening plan (link).

  • March 8, 2022: The Chief Public Health Officer of Prince Edward Island announced changes to COVID-19 testing for close contacts. It was also announced that Step 2 of Prince Edward Island’s Moving On plan will begin on March 17 (link).

  • February 23, 2022: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that there will be changes to isolation requirements as of February 24, 2022, the PEI Vax Pass will be discontinued, and booster doses will be available for those 12 to 17 years of age (link).

  • February 17, 2022: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that Step One of the Moving On Plan is now in effect. Fully vaccinated travelers into PEI are no longer required to self-isolate. Personal and organized gathering numbers have also increased (link).

  • February 8, 2022: The Chief Public Health Officer announced a three-step plan to ease Prince Edward Island’s existing public health measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Step one will commence on February 17, 2022 with estimates to move into step two on March 17, 2022 and step three on April 7, 2022 (link).

  • January 27, 2022: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced the reopening of schools for in-class learning on Monday, January 31, with heightened health and safety measures in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission for students, staff and families (link).

  • January 26, 2022: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that it plans to ease public health measures slightly throughout Prince Edward Island effective Monday, January 31 (link).

  • January 7, 2022: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced it is extending the COVID-19 Emergency Payment for Workers Program and the Emergency Income Relief Program for the Self-Employed until January 17, 2022 (link).

  • December 30, 2021: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced it will be re-opening the COVID-19 Emergency Payment for Workers program to help Islanders get through the recent public health restrictions. This emergency payment program is a one-time lump sum payment of $500 and is taxable income. Additionally, the province also announced the reinstatement of the Emergency Income Relief Program for the Self-Employed, which supports self-employed Islanders who have lost more than 50% of their self-employment income due to public health restrictions put in place on December 17, 2021 (link).

  • December 18, 2021: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced a new COVID-19 testing site opening in Wood Islands which will provide drop-in testing for asymptomatic individuals (link).

  • November 24, 2021: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced updates to the PEI Vax Pass verifier app for businesses and organizations (link).

  • November 16, 2021: The Government of Prince Edward Island published guidance related to holiday travel (link).

  • November 9, 2021: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that the vaccination verification app – PEI Vax Pass Verifier – is now available for download on mobile devices and tablets (link).

  • November 2, 2021: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that public health measures will be eased (link).
  • October 22, 2021: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced new funding to help with the cost of tablets to verify PEI Vax Pass (link).

  • October 22, 2021: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that the PEI Vax Pass QR code is now available to download (link).

  • October 19, 2021: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that families with children in grades kindergarten to 6 or children in licensed early learning child care centers will have access to at home COVID-19 test kits (link).

  • September 15, 2021: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that schools in Charlottetown will be reopening on September 16, 2021, and announced that new COVID-19 measures will begin September 17, 2021 (link).

  • September 13, 2021: The Department of Social Development and Housing announced that it will be offering food support for families impacted by the school closures in Charlottetown due to the closures from COVID-19 (link).

  • September 7, 2021: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that Step 5 of the Moving Forward plan will be delayed and COVID-19 measures will remain until at least mid-October (link).

  • September 3, 2021: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that there will be additional testing sites for schools (link).

  • August 26, 2021: The Government of PEI announced that access to PEI sites in Alberton and Tignish will resume full time operating hours in September (link).

  • August 23, 2021: The Department of Education and Lifelong Learning released details for its return to school plan based on Chief Public Health Office Guidelines, including enhancing cleaning, hand hygiene, screening and symptom management. Masks will be recommended for staff, students and visitors (link).

  • July 9, 2021: Premier Dennis King and Dr. Heather Morrison announced that effective immediately, it is no longer mandatory for non-medical masks to be worn in public, indoor spaces in PEI (link).

  • July 6, 2021: The Government of PEI announced that Canadian travelers can now apply for a PEI Pass in preparation for its reopening on July 18, 2021 (link).

  • June 29, 2021: The Government of PEI announced changes to the Moving Forward reopening plan. Individuals are no longer required to wear a mask while seated at indoor events, provided there is six feet between individuals of different households. Masks are still required at these events when people move to and from their seats. Further, effective July 18, PEI will welcome visitors from outside Atlantic Canada, three weeks earlier than originally planned (link).

  • June 17. 2021: The Government of PEI introduced the PEI Pass, which is a multi-use form that will expedite entry to the province effective June 27 at the points of entry and confirms Islanders and travelers meet the appropriate criteria to be exempt from self-isolation in PEI after travel within the Atlantic provinces. It was announced that all Islanders, Atlantic Canadians and visitors who meet certain criteria can now apply for the PEI Pass (link).

  • June 10, 2021: The Government of PEI announced that the Government of Canada is investing over $6.3 million in four public facilities in the province, through the federal COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Prince Edward Island is also providing over $1.5 million.

  • May 27, 2021: The Government of PEI unveiled a new Moving Forward plan, a balanced and measured approach to relaxing COVID-19 public health measures (link).

  • March 18, 2021: The Council of the Atlantic Premiers announced a plan to ease regional travel restrictions (link).

  • March 12, 2021: The Government of PEI delivered the province’s 2020-21 operating budget that outlines $2.5 billion in spending for programs to assist Islanders, businesses, and industry to recover from COVID-19 (link).

  • March 12, 2021: The Government of PEI announced eased public health restrictions across the province, effective March 13, 2021 at 8:00 am (link).

  • March 9, 2021: The Government of PEI announced that additional COVID-19 vaccines will arrive between March 9, 2021 and mid-April 2021 (link).

  • March 4, 2021: The Government of PEI announced that the province will move out of the Modified Red Level and into the Circuit Breaker at 12:01 am on March 3, 2021 (link).

  • March 2, 2021: The Government of PEI announced the introduction of the Prince Edward Island Emergency Payment Program which will provide a $500 payment for workers and self-employed islanders who have lost their income or had had their hours reduced by at least 12 hours per week (link).

  • January 6, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer recommended that New Brunswick workers travelling to Prince Edward Island, for the purposes of entering workplaces or homes, get tested for COVID-19 while in PEI (link).

  • December 24, 2020: The Government of PEI announced that COVID-19 drop-in testing sites will have modified hours over the holidays (link).

  • December 18, 2020: The Chief Public Health Officer announced that effective immediately, restrictions will be eased at all hospitals and health care centres (link).

  • October 27, 2020: Tourism PEI announced that they will be waiving fees for the 2021 season to support tourism operators impacted by COVID-19 (link).

  • October 22, 2020: Innovation PEI announced it has temporarily increased funding to eight programs to support PEI businesses impacted by COVID-19 (link).

  • October 8, 2020: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that the COVID-19 alert app is now available for Islanders to use (link).

  • October 5, 2020: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that workers who travel outside of the Atlantic bubble can now apply to work-isolate upon their return to Prince Edward Island if they undergo COVID-19 testing (link).

  • September 11, 2020: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that Access PEI’s office in Charlottetown will open on Saturday mornings to serve more Islanders and alleviate wait times (link).
  • September 8, 2020: Health PEI has expanded access to COVID-19 testing with new drop-in, no-appointment screening clinics located across the province (link).
  • September 4, 2020: Islanders who have tested negative for COVID-19 can now access their negative test results online (link).
  • September 2, 2020: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that students will be able to participate in some school sports once school resumes. The Prince Edward Island School Athletic Association (PEISAA) is working in consultation with the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning, education authorities, school administrators, athletic directors and the Chief Public Health Office to ensure public health guidance is followed (link).

  • August 28, 2020: Prince Edward Island announced an easing of travel restrictions in order to allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are family members of seasonal residents to travel to Prince Edward Island. Visiting family members will be required to complete a 14-day self-isolation upon arrival (link).

  • August 14, 2020: Schools across the province of Prince Edward Island have released individual plans for students, families and staff to review as they prepare for a safe return in September (link).

  • August 5, 2020: Public schools across the province will return to full-time in-class learning on September 8, 2020 (link).

  • August 4, 2020: Beginning September 1, all 152 early learning and child care centres across the Island will begin operating at full capacity (link).

  • July 16, 2020: All public libraries across the province will reopen to Islanders with some reduced services and safety measures in place beginning July 20, 2020 (link).

  • July 2, 2020: Prince Edward Island announced that it will join residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland in an Atlantic Canada travel bubble starting Friday, July 3, 2020 (link).

  • June 30, 2020: Provincial Park campgrounds will reopen for reservations with a minimum duration of two-nights starting Wednesday, July 8 (link).
  • June 24, 2020: Interprovincial travel without the requirement to self-isolate will be permitted in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, PEI, and Nova Scotia, for residents of Atlantic Canada as of July 3, 2020 (link).

  • June 23, 2020: Prince Edward Island will move to further relax restrictions as Phase 4 begins on Friday, June 26, 2020 (link).

  • May 29, 2020: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that Phase 3 of the Renew PEI, Together plan will start on June 1, 2020. Phase 3 includes the re-opening of provincial parks for day use, provincial libraries, and liquor and cannabis stores (link).

  • May 28, 2020: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that restrictions will be relaxed on gathering size, long term care visitation, restaurants and recreational activities starting June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 28, 2020: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced that certain education and child care restrictions will be eased starting June 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 25, 2020: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced the creation of Renew PEI: Council for Recovery and Growth, aimed at modernizing health care services, enhancing student learning, and improving frontline government services (link).

  • May 22, 2020: The Government of Prince Edward Island is re-opening select government services on May 22, 2020, including municipal advisory services, cannabis stores, and others (link to announcement; link to list).

  • May 15, 2020: The province of Prince Edward Island plans to enter Phase 2 of Renew PEI, Together on May 22, 2020, which will include an increase in the availability of licensed child care centres and home-based child care centres (link).

  • May 14, 2020: The spring lobster season will open on May 15, 2020 (link).

  • May 8, 2020: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced the easing of restrictions related to gatherings (link).

  • May 8, 2020: Select Access PEI locations will open on May 12, 2020 (link).

  • May 5, 2020: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced the COVID-19 Agriculture Labour Support Initiative to connect individuals interested in working on a farm with agricultural businesses through WorkPEI (link).

  • May 1, 2020: Phase 1 of the Renew PEI, together plan that was announced on April 28, 2020, has started. As part of this phase, limited outdoor gatherings and non-contact recreational activities are permissible, select outdoor and construction services will resume, and there will be a reintroduction of non-urgent health care services (link).

  • April 30, 2020: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced school-based learning will resume for certain individuals, such as those who receive individualized educational supports (link).

  • April 28, 2020: The Government of Prince Edward Island announced their plans to re-open businesses starting May 1, 2020 (link).

Yukon

  • May 12, 2022: The Government of Yukon announced the availability of second COVID-19 boosters for people aged 50 and over (link).

  • May 3, 2022: The Government of Yukon announced the availability of Novavax, a non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, to all Yukoners 18 years of age and older (link).

  • April 7, 2022: The Government of Yukon announced the availability of second COVID-19 boosters to Yukoners who are 70 years of age and older, living in long-term care or seniors living in congregate settings, and those who are immunocompromised (link).

  • April 4, 2022: The Government of Yukon announced the lifting of its vaccination requirement for most workers (link).

  • March 25, 2022: The Government of Yukon announced that the new Omicron variants of concern were found to be present in the territory (link).

  • March 22, 2022: The Government of Yukon announced expanded at-home rapid testing distribution (link).

  • March 18, 2022: The Government of Yukon announced the lifting of the requirement to wear masks in public spaces, and to provide proof of vaccination in designated settings (link).

  • February 24, 2022: The Government of Yukon announced it will be easing public health measures as of March 4, 2022 (link).

  • February 18, 2022: The Government of Yukon announced the release of a new COVID-19 dashboard that will provide Yukoners with important data related to the pandemic (link).

  • February 17, 2022: The Government of Yukon announced changes to public health measures effective February 18, 2022, as the territory continues to ease restrictions (link).

  • February 15, 2022: The Government of Yukon announced the expansion of at-home rapid COVID-19 test kit distribution in Whitehorse (link).

  • February 10, 2022: The Government of Yukon announced the easing of public health measures effective February 11, 2022 (link).

  • February 10, 2022: Economic Development Minister Ranj Pillai announced new financial and employment supports for Yukon businesses (link).

  • February 4, 2022: The Government of Yukon announced it would ease public health measures limiting capacity limits for indoor recreational team sports for youth under the age of 18 (link).

  • February 1, 2022: The Government of Yukon issued a statement on the vaccine requirement for Government of Yukon employees (link).

  • January 25, 2022: The Government of Yukon announced it is expanding the availability of take-home, self-administered rapid COVID-19 tests to schools, licensed early learning and child care programs, and communities throughout the Yukon (link).

  • December 3, 2021: The Government of Yukon announced that some public health measures were loosened as COVID-19 transmission decreased (link).

  • November 30, 2021: The Government of Yukon has changed the vaccine verification requirements for youth under the age of 18 (link).

  • November 30, 2021: The Government of Yukon has announced that vaccination requirements for public workers are in effect as of November 30, 2021 (link).

  • November 23, 2021: The Government of Yukon announced the Yukon Vaccination Verifier App is available (link).

  • November 10, 2021: The Government of Yukon announced that starting November 13, 2021, people aged 12 and up will be required to provide proof of vaccination to access designated establishments and services (link).

  • November 3, 2021: The Government of Yukon announced that all public servants, including teachers, as well as those who work in hospitals, long-term care homes, medical clinics and allied health care settings, along with employees of non-government organizations funded by the Yukon government to provide services to vulnerable populations, will be required to have their first dose of vaccine no later than November 30 and their second dose no later than January 30, 2022 (link).

  • October 15, 2021: The Government of Yukon announced that public servants and health care workers must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination to access non-essential services by November 30, 2021 (link).
  • September 28, 2021: The Government of Yukon announced the extension of the Paid Sick Leave Rebate from October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022 (link).

  • September 24, 2021: The Government of Yukon extended the critical COVID-19 support programs for tourism and expanded the popular rebate program (link).

  • August 20, 2021: The Department of Education, in conjuncture with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, finalized the guidelines for return to school (link).

  • August 20, 2021: The Government of Yukon released Forging Ahead, the framework for the province’s ongoing response to the pandemic and how the province will transition out of the State of Emergency (link).

  • August 4, 2021: The Government of Yukon announced that they are planning a near-normal return to school for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students for the 2021-22 school year (link).

  • August 3, 2021: The Government of Yukon announced that as of August 4, 2021, self-isolation and mandatory masking will be lifted (link).

  • May 21, 2021: The Government of Yukon announced that it will begin lifting public health restrictions on May 25, 2021. Indoor and outdoor gatherings capacity will be increased, bars and restaurants will be able to return to full capacity for table service and fully vaccinated people will no longer need to self-isolate upon entry to the territory (link).

  • March 5, 2021: The Government of Yukon released ‘A Path Forward: Next Steps’, a strategy outlining how Yukon will move forward through the next phases of the pandemic (link).

  • February 25, 2021: The Government of Yukon extended and expanded several COVID-19 economic programs to support Yukon businesses. The Yukon Business Relief Program will relaunch on April 1. Yukon businesses that previously benefitted from the program can reapply for additional support until September 30, 2021 (link).

  • December 14, 2020: The Tourism and Culture minister released the Tourism Relief and Recovery Plan, the Government’s strategic guide to stabilizing and rebuilding the territory’s tourism sector in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • December 1, 2020: The Tourism and Culture Minister announced the implementation of the Tourism Non-Accommodation Sector and the Culture and Tourism Non-profit Sector relief programs (link).

  • November 27, 2020: The Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada announced a research program that focuses on gathering the unique information needed to support Yukon’s strategic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

  • September 24, 2020: The Government of Yukon announced that the Business Relief Program has been extended until March 31, 2021 (link).

  • August 13, 2020: The Government of Yukon announced updates on school operational plans and school busing for the 2020–21 school year (link).

  • August 4, 2020: The Government of Yukon announced that Whitehorse students will resume classes on August 20, 2020 for the 2020-21 school year (link).

  • July 30, 2020: The Government of Yukon announced that Phase 3 of Yukon’s plan for safely lifting COVID-19 public health measures will begin on August 1, 2020 (link).

  • June 30, 2020: Effective July 1, 2020, all persons must wear a face mask while inside airports (link).

  • June 30, 2020: Visitor Information Centres will begin reopening across the territory starting July 1, 2020 (link).

  • June 30, 2020: Phase 2 of Yukon’s plan for easing COVID-19 restrictions will begin July 1, 2020. This will allow residents of the Yukon, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut to enter Yukon without self-isolating (link).

  • June 18, 2020: As of July 1, 2020, Yukon restaurants can increase their capacity from 50% to 100%, outdoor gatherings may have up to 50 people in attendance, and dental professionals may resume offering full dental services (link).
  • June 11, 2020: The Government of the Yukon announced the resumption of recycling services (link).
  • June 5, 2020: Beginning June 7, 2020, places of worship will be permitted to open (link).
  • May 29, 2020: The Government of Yukon is predicting that Phase II of their re-opening plans will begin on July 1, 2020 (link).

  • May 29, 2020: The Government of Yukon announced that Territorial parks and campgrounds will re-open on June 4, 2020 (link).

  • May 26, 2020: The Government of Yukon announced the approval for opening certain day camps and re-opening of the Canada Games Centres (link).

  • May 22, 2020: The Government of Yukon announced the re-opening of personal service businesses and restaurants starting May 27 and May 29, 2020 respectively (link).

  • May 15, 2020: The Government of Yukon released A Path Forward: Yukon’s plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions, and entered Phase I of the plan (link).

  • May 1, 2020: The Government of Yukon will increase some elective and non-urgent services that were temporarily suspended (link).

  • April 28, 2020: The Government of Yukon announced that businesses can re-open if their practices comply with current public health advice. It further announced that the ban on social gatherings does not apply to work environments (link).

Northwest Territories

  • March 31, 2022: The Government of the Northwest Territories announced the lifting of certain COVID-19 related restrictions (link).

  • February 28, 2022: The Government of the Northwest Territories announced revisions to the Employee Vaccination Policy effective March 1, 2022 (link).

  • February 25, 2022: The Government of the Northwest Territories announced changes to the Public Health Orders to ease restrictions as of March 1, 2022 (link).

  • February 11, 2022: The Government of the Northwest Territories announced changes to the current travel restrictions and self-isolation (link).

  • December 16, 2021: The Government of the Northwest Territories announced the expansion of a COVID-19 At-Home student screening program to address increased travel and out of town visitors during the holiday season (link).

  • December 1, 2021: The Government of the Northwest Territories announced that the Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Policy took effect (link).

  • November 24, 2021: The Government of Northwest Territories announced proof of vaccination credential (link).

  • November 2, 2021: The Government of the Northwest Territories updated the online self-service Proof of Vaccination tool (link).

  • October 26, 2021: The Department of Health and Social Services introduced a new COVID-19 at-home student screening program (link).

  • October 19, 2021: The Government of Northwest Territories announced that liquor delivery is now available to customers including those in isolation due to COVID-19 (link).

  • October 18, 2021: The Department of Health and Social Services, in conjunction with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, is introducing a new COVID-19 at-home student screening program (link).

  • October 18, 2021: The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is introducing amendments to the GNWT COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, which expand application of the policy to all employees of the GNWT (link).

  • October 12, 2021: The Government of the Northwest Territories announced that residents will have a new way to access their COVID-19 vaccination records (link).

  • September 27, 2021: The Government of the Northwest Territories announced it will require employees who interact with vulnerable members of the public to be fully vaccinated (link).

  • September 24, 2021: The Government of Northwest Territories announced that businesses impacted by recent public health measures can apply to the Government of Northwest Territories’ Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (link).

  • August 11, 2021: The Government of the Northwest Territories released school reopening guidelines for the 2021-22 school year (link).

  • June 29, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer announced that indoor gathering restrictions will be eased for all Northwest Territories residents. Consequently, most events and gatherings with up to 200 people are permitted without any further approvals required (link).

  • June 21, 2021: The Government of the Northwest Territories announced that Northwest Territory residents, non-resident essential service workers, and other travelers with exemptions who are fully vaccinated will no longer need to self-isolate upon entry to the province (link).

  • June 9, 2021: The Government of the Northwest Territories released, ‘Emerging Wisely 2021: Step by Step Together’, which outlines the plan for easing public health restrictions beginning on June 9, 2021.

  • June 2, 2021: The Government of the Northwest Territories announced that the Chief Public Health Officer will now offer exemptions from self-isolation requirements for travellers from the Yukon who are arriving or plan to arrive in the Northwest Territories (link).

  • May 31, 2021: Northwest Territories Premier, Caroline Cochrane, announced a post-pandemic social and economic recovery plan for the territory (link).

  • May 12, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer announced the end of the Public Health Order on school closures in the Yellowknife, Ndilǫ̨, Dettah and Behchokǫ̀ regions effective May 17, 2021 (link).

  • April 21, 2021: The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer announced remote tourism activities may resume in the Northwest Territories for the 2021 summer season under certain conditions (link).

  • April 21, 2021: The Government of the Northwest Territories introduced new measures that reduce self-isolation requirements for travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The self-isolation changes introduce the opportunity for fully vaccinated persons who test negative on the eighth day of the 14-day self-isolation period to no longer be required to self-isolate, and rather self-monitor and wear a mask for the remainder of the 14-day timeframe (link).

  • March 17, 2021: The Government of the Northwest Territories announced the reinstatement of health and social services licensing and permitting fees starting April 1 (link).

  • March 5, 2021: The Government of the Northwest Territories extended the Wage Top Up Program to August 31, 2021 (link).

  • March 4, 2021: The Government of the Northwest Territories announced that residents of Fort Simpson and Norman Wells can now self-isolate in their home communities following travel outside the territory (link).

  • February 25, 2021: The Government of Northwest Territories announced expanded funding to tourism operators that have exhausted the supports available under existing relief funds (link).

  • February 25, 2021: The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs extended the State of Emergency in the City of Yellowknife until March 11, 2021 (link).

  • February 18, 2021: The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer announced expanded exemptions to the self-isolation requirements for travelers from Nunavut who are arriving in the Northwest Territories (link).

  • February 1, 2021: The Department of Education, Culture and Employment announced a streamlined labour market recovery program to support broad sections of the economy in response to the pandemic (link).

  • December 22, 2020: The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has waived tourism insurance requirements and licensing fees for the 2021-22 fiscal year (link).

  • December 18, 2020: The Government of the Northwest Territories announced that returning students and persons with specific legal situations requiring travel will continue to have their stays at regional isolation centres fully covered by the government in 2021 (link).

  • December 2, 2020: The Government of the Northwest Territories announced that dental service teams are cleared to resume operations in the Northwest Territories (link).

  • November 10, 2020: The Government of the Northwest Territories extended the territory-wide Public Health Emergency through November 24, 2020 (link).

  • July 10, 2020: On July 14, 2020, government-operated Driver and Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices will reopen for in-person services in compliance with Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) orders (link).

  • July 5, 2020: The Government of the Northwest Territories released its Reopening Schools Safely plan for the 2020-2021 school year (link).

  • June 29, 2020: The Government of Northwest Territories announced that it will monitor the capacity of Fred Henne Territorial Park’s beaches and public day use areas over the course of the summer (link).
  • June 28, 2020: The Public Health Order directed at the mineral and petroleum industry is being amended to reflect the measures implemented for phase two of the Emerging Wisely Plan (link).
  • June 19, 2020: All NWT schools have submitted plans for approval to reopen for the 2020-2021 school year which focus on flexibility in learning approaches (link).
  • June 12, 2020: The Government of Northwest Territories announced the entering of phase two of their recovery plan. Outdoor gathering limits will increase, more businesses and organizations will be able to reopen with precautions in-place, and offices will be able to have a maximum of 25 people per floor as long as they are set up for physical distancing of at least two meters (link).

  • June 4, 2020: The Northwest Territories Education Leaders announced that they are planning for the safe reopening of schools in the fall of 2020 (link).
  • May 21, 2020: With the entry into Phase 1 of Emerging Wisely, the Government of the Northwest Territories’ has lengthened its operating hours for its four highway ferries (link).

  • May 15, 2020: The Government of Northwest Territories announced the entering of phase one of their recovery plan. Residents may gather outside in groups up to 25 people, some businesses will be permitted to re-open, and some outdoor activities may resume (link).

  • May 12, 2020: The Government of Northwest Territories announced the Emerging Wisely plan which outlines a five-part approach for the gradual recovery and re-opening of the territory (link).

Nunavut

  • April 21, 2022: The Department of Economic Development and Transportation announced that it will be distributing COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests and masks, free of charge, to businesses across Nunavut (link).

  • April 12, 2022: The Government of Nunavut announced the approval of additional COVID-19 vaccine doses for 50-plus individuals, and immunocompromised children (link).

  • March 25, 2022: The Government of Nunavut announced the easing of public health restrictions across Nunavut, effective Monday, March 28, 2022 (link).

  • March 18, 2022: The Government of Nunavut announced that child care workers will receive a “COVID-19 thank you” bonus as child care facilities are reopened (link).

  • February 23, 2022: Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer announced the easing of public health restrictions in 9 communities across Nunavut, effective February 28, 2022 (link)

  • February 18, 2022: Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer announced that restrictions in Pond Inlet would not be eased on February 21, as previously announced (link).

  • February 15, 2022: Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer announced the easing of public health restrictions in fifteen communities across Nunavut, effective February 21, 2022 (link).

  • February 15, 2022: Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer announced that schools in Baker Lake and Kinngait will open to 100 per cent capacity on February 21, 2022 (link).

  • January 28, 2022: Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer announced that schools in Iqaluit can open to 100 per cent capacity on Monday, January 31 (link).

  • January 21, 2022: Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer announced that schools in Sanikiluaq will be restricted to 50 per cent capacity when they open on January 24 (link).

  • January 14, 2022: Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer, announced information regarding the reopening of schools and childcare facilities in each community (link).

  • January 13, 2022: Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer announced the easing of public health restrictions across the territory, starting January 17, 2022 (link).

  • December 3, 2021: The Government of Nunavut announced that public health measures were eased in Pond Inlet (link).

  • December 3, 2021: The Government of Nunavut announced that public health measures were eased in Coral Harbour (link).

  • December 1, 2021: The Government of Nunavut announced that vaccinated travellers returning to Nunavut will no longer need a vaccinated travellers exemption letter from Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) (link).

  • November 30, 2021: The Government of Nunavut announced that beginning January 10, 2022, the Department of Health will require mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for some of its frontline health staff (link).

  • November 19, 2021: The Government of Nunavut announced the easing of public health measures in Coral Harbour (link).

  • November 19, 2021: The Government of Nunavut announced the easing of public health measures in Pond Inlet (link).

  • November 15, 2021: The Government of Nunavut announced the common travel area with Churchill is re-opened (link).

  • November 4, 2021: The Government of Nunavut announced the easing of public health restrictions in Coral Harbour (link).

  • October 21, 2021: The Government of Nunavut announced the easing of public health restrictions in Coral Harbour (link).
  • October 18, 2021: The Government of Nunavut announced the easing of public health measures in Kinngait (link).

  • October 12, 2021: The Government of Nunavut announced that a new proof of vaccination certificate is available (link).

  • October 8, 2021: Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer announced increased public health measures in Coral Harbour effective immediately (link).

  • October 5, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer, announced the easing of public health measures in Kinngait (link).

  • August 3, 2021: The Department of Education in collaboration with the Chief Public Health Officer released the 2021-22 Opening Plan for Nunavut Schools (link).

  • July 29, 2021: The Government of Nunavut announced that a common travel area opened with Nunavik (link).

  • July 28, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer announced effective July 30, 2021, there will be an easing of public health measures in all Nunavut communities (link).

  • July 20, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer announced that the COVID-19 outbreak in Iqaluit is over, since there have been no cases in the city for 28 days. Current public health measures remain in place but may be eased in two weeks’ time, if no additional cases are identified (link).

  • July 14, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer announced that public health measures will be further eased in Iqaluit, effective July 16, 2021. However, masks continue to be mandatory to mitigate potential risk (link).

  • June 29, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer announced that public health measures will be eased in Iqaluit, effective July 2, 2021. However, masks remain mandatory (link).

  • June 23, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer announced that public health measures will be eased in Rankin Inlet and all Qikiqtani communities except Iqaluit, and that the COVID-19 outbreak in Kinngait is over. However, masks continue to be mandatory in all Nunavut communities (link).

  • June 14, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer announced that Aqsarniit Iliniarvik staff and student cohort can resume classes (link).

  • June 9, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer announced that travelers to Nunavut from the Northwest Territories, will no longer have to complete a 14-day isolation, as long as the traveler has not been outside those two territories.

  • June 7, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer announced the easing of public health restrictions in Kinngait and Iqaluit, effective June 7, 2021 (link).

  • June 7, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer announced that beginning June 14, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to isolate either before entering the territory or once in-territory (link).

  • March 9, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer announced the easing of public health restrictions in Arviat, effective March 10, 2021 (link).

  • February 25, 2021: The Chief Public Health Officer announced changes to public health measures for all Qikiqtani, Kitikmeot and Kivalliq communities except Arviat, effective March 1, 2021 (link).

  • December 2, 2020: The Department of Justice Services announced that services will reopen to the public in all communities except Rankin Inlet, Whale Cove, and Arviat (link).

  • July 28, 2020: The Department of Education announced that all schools will open, as scheduled, for the new school year, unless otherwise directed by Chief Public Health Officer (link).

  • June 23, 2020: The Department of Health Services announced that effective June 22, 2020, Nunavut will resume regular medical travel to Churchill, Manitoba (link).

  • June 15, 2020: Residents of the Northwest Territories will be permitted to enter Nunavut without isolating prior to arrival (link).

  • June 15, 2020: The Government of Nunavut announced that family members can resume visiting in correctional facilities through the normal appointment process (link).

  • June 8, 2020: The Government of Nunavut will resume in-territory duty travel for employees. Both essential and non-essential duty travel may be approved within the territory (link).

  • June 4, 2020: The Department of Health Services announced a critical worker isolation exemption for critical workers travelling in and out of the Nunavut (link).

  • June 1, 2020: The Minister of Human Resources announced the end of the Government of Nunavut’s work from home program for Government of Nunavut employees. Starting Monday, June 8, 2020, Government of Nunavut employees who are currently working from home will be returning to their regular workplaces (link).

  • June 1, 2020: The Government of Nunavut announced that effective June 1, 2020, in-territory travel advisories will be lifted and that effective June 8, 2020, workplaces and retail outlets can re-open. Further, on June 15, 2020, dental clinics, physiotherapy clinics, massage therapy and chiropractic treatments will be permitted to resume and that gyms and pools will be permitted to re-open (link).

  • May 28, 2020: The Government of Nunavut announced that territorial parks will re-open on June 1, 2020, and the limit on outdoor gatherings will increase to 25 (link).

  • May 25, 2020: The Government of Nunavut announced that as of June 1, 2020, daycares may re-open, the limit on outdoor gatherings is increased to 25 people, territorial parks will re-open and municipal playgrounds will re-open (link).

  • May 6, 2020: The Government of Nunavut lifted Pond Inlet restrictions (link).

  • April 29, 2020: The Government of Nunavut announced the conditions that must be met before relaxing restrictions may take place (link).

Our team will continue to monitor these developments and provide updates as necessary. If you require any assistance, please reach out to any member of our team.

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