The team at the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 on its business clients and local economy. The resources below are intended to connect you with available government and community supports.
Reopening Ontario during COVID-19
The Ontario government has released A Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term (PDF), which outlines the province’s gradual approach to lifting remaining public health and workplace safety measures by March 2022. The government has temporarily moved the province back into Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen, with modifications. These measures will be in place at least until Jan. 26, subject to trends in public health and health system indicators.
The Province of Ontario's Roadmap to Reopen has details on current COVID-19 business guidelines and restrictions. The government has launched health and safety education campaigns with a particular focus on helping small businesses across the province reopen safely. The on-the-ground assistance includes a comprehensive suite of resources business owners can access at no cost to ensure they are helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
Government educational supports available includes:
- Free webinars on how to operate a business safely and comply with health and safety requirements during COVID-19.
- A free 30-minute online course on infection prevention and control provided by the Public Services Health and Safety Association.
- Provincial Employment Standards Call Centre and Occupational Health and Safety Contact Centre to answer small business health and safety questions.
Preventing COVID-19 in the workplace
The Government of Ontario provides businesses with sector-specific guidelines and posters to help protect workers, customers and the general public from COVID-19. The government has also created a Workplace PPE Supplier Directory to identify personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies to keep your employees and customers safe. Employers can also access a general workplace guide, which will help you develop a COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan to better protect workers, customers and clients.
Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit website provides guidance for employers, owners and operators of businesses, and workplaces to assist with COVID-19 prevention in places of work.
- Guidance for writing vaccine policies and proof of vaccination guidance for businesses
- Information about contact tracing and outbreak management
- Provincial and local restrictions, sector specific guidance, screening, safety plans and IPAC measures
- COVID-19 screening tool
- COVID-19 toolkit: Safe Return to Business
Proof of vaccination
Beginning Sept. 22, 2021, the Government of Ontario requires patrons to provide proof of identification and of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to access certain businesses and settings. The Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Ontario Act provides information for businesses and organizations implementing this requirement.
The Ministry of Health Questions and Answers document is intended to help clarify requirements related to proof of vaccination against COVID-19, as well as the Ministry of Health’s Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Ontario Act.
Government support for businesses
You can conduct a custom search of COVID-19 support programs using the Business Benefits Finder tool from the Government of Canada. Key programs available to Windsor-Essex businesses include: