fever (feeling hot to the touch, a temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher)
chills
cough that’s new or worsening (continuous, more than usual)
barking cough, making a whistling noise when breathing (croup)
shortness of breath (out of breath, unable to breathe deeply)
sore throat
difficulty swallowing
runny, stuffy or congested nose (not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions)
lost sense of taste or smell
pink eye (conjunctivitis)
headache that’s unusual or long lasting
digestive issues (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain)
muscle aches
extreme tiredness that is unusual (fatigue, lack of energy)
falling down often
for young children and infants: sluggishness or lack of appetite

You can take a self-assessment here to help you decide if you should get tested.

You can also get tested at any time if any of the following conditions apply to you:

Long-term care and other congregate settings
- a visitor or worker in a long-term care home
- a worker in a retirement home
- a resident or worker in a homeless shelter or other congregate setting (for example, group homes, community supported living, disability-specific communities or congregate settings, short-term rehab, hospices and other shelters)
Farming
- a farm worker
Indigenous
- a person who identifies as Indigenous
Surgery and other reasons
- need a test before a scheduled (non-urgent or emergent) surgery in a region with high community transmission (ask your health care provider)
- an international student that has passed their 14-day quarantine period
- you received a preliminary positive result through the rapid antigen screening pilot
- in a targeted testing group as outlined in guidance from the Chief Medical Officer of Health

You can find your closest testing centre and book your appointment here. You can access your test results here.

Vaccines

Vaccines

WDG Public Health is currently working through phase 2 of the province’s vaccine plan. Anyone over the age of 40 (born in or before 1981), as well as frontline workers, education workers in living or working in hotspots, all special education workers and caregivers, and individuals with certain health conditions, is now eligible for a vaccine.

You can check the full list of eligible groups here. Those eligible under phase 2 will get appointments between now and June depending on vaccine supply.

Additionally, WDG Public Health is now accepting registrations for phase 3, which includes all residents 16 and older who will be given vaccine appointments beginning in June. You can register now so that you will be contacted automatically when you become eligible.

You can register for the vaccine online here, or by calling WDGPH at 1-844-780-0202 or the Guelph Public Library at 613-519-0059.

On April 21, Mike hosted a townhall with Dr. Mercer from WDG Public Health and Helen Fishburn from Wellington Waterloo-CMHA where some common Covid-19 questions were answered. You can watch a recording of that event here.

State of Emergency

Current Restrictions:

Ontario entered a lockdown with a stay-at-home order in effect beginning at 12:01 am on Thursday, April 8, 2021. This means that you should stay home as much as possible. You should only go out for necessities, such as:

going to the grocery store or pharmacy
accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated)
outdoor exercise or walking pets in your community
going to work that cannot be done remotely

Businesses must ensure that all employees work from home if they can. Do not travel outside your region or the province unless absolutely necessary. As of Monday April 19, there are checkpoints at all land crossings along the borders with Manitoba and Quebec,

It is illegal to gather indoors with anyone you do not live with. Limit close contact to only members of your household (the people you live with). If you live alone, you can have close contact with only one other household. You must stay at least two metres apart from everyone outside your immediate household and wear a mask or face covering.

Under the new restrictions, all non-essential businesses are closed except for curbside pickup and delivery during limited hours. Big box and discount stores are limited to selling only essential items, such as groceries, personal care items, pharmaceuticals and cleaning supplies. Retail locations are limited to 25% capacity.

Playgrounds are open for children to use, but other outdoor recreational facilities, including tennis courts, basketball courts and outdoor dining are now closed. Religious services, weddings and funerals are capped at 10 people indoors and outdoors.

To see the full list of restrictions, click here.

Local Businesses

Local Businesses

Guelph specific guidelines from Guelph Wellington Dufferin Public Health can be found here, https://www.wdgpublichealth.ca/your-health/covid-19-information-workplaces-and-living-spaces/workplaces-and-businesses)

The Guelph Wellington Dufferin Public Health Unit has mandated the use of face masks or shields in commercial establishments, under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Businesses are open only for curbside pick up.

Guidance and resources from the Ontario government to prevent Covid-19 in the workplace

Is there any financial help available if I cannot work or have lost my job?

Is there any financial help available if I cannot work or have lost my job?

The new Canada Emergency Response Benefit will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for more than 4 months.

Learn more and apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit

What are my rights as an employee during Covid-19?

What are my rights as an employee during Covid-19?

For information regarding your employment rights, you can contact the Employment Standards Info Centre at 1-800-531-5551.

If you have concerns about the health and safety of your workplace, you can contact your health and safety rep and/or call the Ontario Health and Safety hotline at 1-877-202-0008.

https://www.canada.ca/en/government/publicservice/covid-19/rights-responsibilities.html for more information

Do I need to provide a doctor’s note to my employer to get my sick-leave benefits?

Do I need to provide a doctor’s note to my employer to get my sick-leave benefits?

While a medical certificate signed by your doctor is usually required to get sick-leave benefits, this will not be the case during the COVID-19 crisis. During this time, the government is waiving the need for a sick note for patients who are required to miss work due to self-isolation or quarantine.

What can I do to protect myself if I am unable to work from home?

What can I do to protect myself if I am unable to work from home?

If your place or work has not been closed as a result of the closure of all non-essential businesses, public health guidance is to work from home wherever possible. However working remotely is not feasible in many workplaces. If you are in this situation, it is important that you follow all health and safety protocols related to your workplace. Under the Occupational Health & Safety Act, most of Ontario’s workers have the right to refuse unsafe work. If you are in a unionized workplace, consult your staff rep before refusing any work.

Will my time off during self-isolation or quarantine be paid by my employer?

Will my time off during self-isolation or quarantine be paid by my employer?

If your work can be done remotely for the period of self-isolation or quarantine where you are not sick, your employer should allow remote work paid at your usual rate of compensation. If you become sick, your sick day entitlements will vary depending on the language in your contract or collective agreement. If you have zero sick leave benefits—the Employment Standards Act applies, which is currently three unpaid days.

The provincial government has passed emergency legislation to provide infectious disease emergency leave for anyone unable to work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes unpaid leave and job protection for individuals under quarantine or in isolation, or providing care to a child as a result of school and day care closures.

The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit provides $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) per week for up to a maximum of four weeks, for workers who:

Are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19
Are self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19
have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority, would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.

You can apply here.

Financial Assistance for Loss of Work

If you have lost work due to the pandemic, you may be eligible for employment assistance through the federal government. You can view the eligibility requirements and apply here.

Childcare for people reentering the workforce

Childcare for people reentering the workforce, or essential workers

Beginning April 19 2021, the province is providing free childcare for frontline workers, including healthcare, grocery, manufacturing and public safety employees. To check eligibility and apply, click here.

Child Benefit

The Ontario COVID-19 Child Benefit provides financial support to families with young learners to help with additional costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Learner’s Grant and Covid Child Benefit Applications are now closed. If you are having trouble receiving you benefit you can call 1-888-444-3770 or contact our office.

The program consists of one-time payments of:

$400 for each child or youth up to Grade 12
$500 for each child or youth up to age 21 with special needs

If you received a payment through the Support for Learners program, you do not need to apply for this additional payment.

Are Schools Open?

Are schools open?

Ontario Emergency Assistance Program can help you with the cost of food, rent, childcare, disability support, medicine transportation and housing.

To apply, visit wellingtoncounty.ca, apply for Ontario Works online or call 519-837-6274.

Financial support for food, rent, childcare

Financial support for food, rent, childcare

On April 5, 2021, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph announced the closure of all schools. On April 12, the provincial Education Minister announced that all schools in Ontario would close, and classes would move to full time online learning indefinitely.

All education staff living and working in hotspots, and special education workers are now eligible for a vaccine. You can register for the vaccine online here, or by calling WDGPH at 1-844-780-0202 or the Guelph Public Library at 613-519-0059.

For COVID screening tools for students, please refer to WDG Public Health’s Guide.

Please consult with your child’s school board to obtain the latest updates on reopening.

Support for seniors, mortgage payments, income taxes and more

Support for seniors, mortgage payments, income taxes and more

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan includes updated employment insurance benefits, mortgage support, income tax flexibility, and the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

Limited additional support is being offered by the Provincial government for seniors and people with disabilities. Additional income support for those on OW and ODSP has ended.

Support for homeless, food insecure

Support for homeless, food insecure

Several local agencies are working together to support people who may need food and shelter during this crisis. Learn more about Guelph’s plan to help the homeless during COVID-19.

Please contact the County of Wellington 519-837-6274 with any questions about social housing or emergency housing.

Additional support is being offered by the provincial government for seniors and people on OW and ODSP.

What are the supports for small and medium sized businesses?

What are the supports for small and medium sized businesses?

Ontario is currently providing a variety of supports, more details of which can be found here:

Ontario Small Business Support Grant applications have now closed. If you need support with your application or have questions about your denial, please contact our office. Note, if you received the first round of funding, a second round of funding in the same amount should automatically flow to you without a further application needed.

The government has also introduced the new Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant, which will provide one-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector. Applications for this grant are not yet open.

Ontario’s Main Street Relief Grant: PPE support – applications are now closed.

A commercial eviction ban was in place until January 31, 2021.

CERS approved tenants were protected from evictions until April 22, 2022.

Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebate Grants – Businesses that are, or were, required to shut down or significantly restrict services due to provincial public health measures can apply for property tax and energy cost rebates, provided in the form of grants, to help with their fixed costs.

Deferred Pension Contributions – If you’re an employer who sponsors certain defined benefit pension plans, you can defer pension contributions due between October 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.

Beginning February 23, 2021, residential and small business customers resumed paying Time-of-Use and Tiered pricing under the Regulated Price Plan (RPP) at prices that were set by the OEB on December 15, 2020

As of January 2021, small businesses may be eligible for up to $1500 towards their electricity and natural gas bills. Contact your electricity and/or natural gas utility to apply.

Permanently increased Employer Health Tax (EHT) exemption for businesses up to $1 million in payroll

Businesses will get an extended interest and penalty relief period to file and make payments for the majority of provincially administered taxes.

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan Offers Temporary Business Wage Subsidy, work sharing options, tax deferrals, loans, and mortgage deferrals.

For more information on Federal support programs you can contact Guelph’s Member of Parliament, Lloyd Longfield.

The Guelph Chamber of Commerce in partnership with many local businesses, has created a PPE directory so your business can easily purchase what you need.

Suspension on evictions

Suspension on evictions?

On Jan 14, 2021, Ontario has once again temporarily paused residential evictions during its current state of emergency.

Neither the federal nor the provincial government have suspended rent payments.

Support for students

Support for students

The moratorium on OSAP payments ended in Sept 2020.

If you are having trouble repaying your Ontario Student Loan and OSAP loans, you can apply to the Ontario Student Loan Rehabilitation Program.

Learn more and apply here.

I’m feeling stressed, anxious, depressed or isolated

I’m feeling stressed, anxious, depressed or isolated

There are many mental health supports available for you.

If you are a healthcare worker, go to Here4HealthCare.ca to find support.

If you are a senior, try signing up through Chatting To Wellness for regular phone calls.

If you are a student, you can sign up to be a volunteer with Chatting To Wellness as well.

For general help, see Here4Help.ca

If you are in immediate need, call Here 24/7 at 1-844-HERE247 (437-3247)

Many therapists accepting new patients are now resuming in-person sessions. Note that these services are not free if not covered by insurance. See listing at PsychologyToday.com

Health cards

Health Cards

The province of Ontario has extended the validity of expiring health cards during the State of Emergency. Your ID will remain valid if expired after March 1, 2020, and will remain valid until further notice. Expiring and expired health cards will continue to grant you access to health services during this period.

If you have a simple renewal you may do it online at https://www.ontario.ca/page/health-card-renewal.

The 3 month waiting period for OHIP eligibility has also been waived.

Driver licences

Driver licenses

The province of Ontario is extending the validity period of driver licences, licence plate validation, Ontario Photo Cards, and Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration certificates during the State of Emergency. Your ID will remain valid if expired after March 1, 2020, and will remain valid until further notice.

You can renew online, https://www.ontario.ca/page/renew-drivers-licence

The Ministry of Transportation is also automatically extending the due dates for medical or vision reports, which both reduces the need for in-person visits, but also ensures that patients do not need to visit their doctors, helping the health system to focus on containing COVID-19.

Is COVID-19 information available in other languages?

Is COVID-19 information available in other languages?

It’s‌ ‌essential that‌ ‌we‌ all ‌continue‌ ‌to‌ ‌get‌ ‌our‌ ‌information‌ ‌from‌ ‌reliable and informed ‌sources‌ as we respond to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Below are links to COVID-19 fact sheets in some of the most commonly spoken languages in our local community. Please share these with people in your networks who may need them:

English: https://files.ontario.ca/moh-coronavirus-info-sheet-english-2020-02-18.pdf

Français (French): https://files.ontario.ca/moh-coronavirus-info-sheet-french-2020-02-18.pdf

বাংলা (Bengali): https://files.ontario.ca/moh-coronavirus-info-sheet-bengali-2020-02-18.pdf

Tagalog: https://files.ontario.ca/moh-coronavirus-info-sheet-tagalog-2020-02-18.pdf

中文 (简体) (Simplified Chinese): https://files.ontario.ca/moh-coronavirus-info-sheet-simplified-chinese-2020-02-18.pdf

中文 (繁體) (Traditional Chinese): https://files.ontario.ca/moh-coronavirus-info-sheet-traditional-chinese-2020-02-18.pdf

தமிழ் (Tamil): https://files.ontario.ca/moh-coronavirus-info-sheet-tamil-2020-02-18.pdf

‎اُردُو (Urdu): https://files.ontario.ca/moh-coronavirus-info-sheet-urdu-2020-02-18.pdf

Farsi: https://files.ontario.ca/moh-coronavirus-info-sheet-farsi-2020-02-18-v2.pdf

Ελληνικά (Greek): https://files.ontario.ca/moh-coronavirus-info-sheet-greek-2020-02-18.pdf

Español (Spanish): https://files.ontario.ca/moh-coronavirus-info-sheet-spanish-2020-02-18.pdf

Full list of available languages here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus#section-11