Updated September 2, 2020
The Old Strathcona Business Association’s Economic Recovery Task Force identified that many of our businesses were leading the charge on best practices for COVID-19 safety. We have created this COVID-19 Business Safety Guidelines kit to share and reference some tips to help our neighbours refine current business operations and build upon existing COVID-19 policies!
Please note that this list of resources is not exhaustive. We continue to monitor updates from Alberta Health Services and the City of Edmonton for all public safety information.
For additional support, Business Link has experts available to consult with by email, phone and live chat. Or, contact the City of Edmonton’s One-On-One Support Program for businesses.
Business Resources
Resources for Reopening - Other
- Temporary Outdoor Patios, Sidewalk Cafes, and Retail Space – Register Now!
- Edmonton Chamber Business Relaunch Toolkit
- Restaurants Canada Reopening Best Practices
- Retail Council of Canada: Recovery Checklists & Templates
- Retail Council of Canada: Recovery Playbooks
- Flushing Water Systems
- Back To Brick & Mortar: A Guidebook to Help Independent Retailers Re-enter Storefront Safely
Printable Posters and Communications
- OSBA COVID-19 Business Safety Guidelines
- OSBA Physical Distancing
- My Mask Protects You, Your Mask Protects Me
- Help Prevent The Spread Alberta
- Edmonton Mask Bylaw Posters
- Printable Posters: AHS Covid Signage
- Marketing tips from OSBA: staying connected with your customers
- Neighbourhood Empowerment Team: Business safety matters
Webinars & Business Education
- Business Link: Upcoming Events
- ATB: Entrepreneur Centre Meetups / Webinars
- Retail Council of Canada: Serving All In Canada: free course on preventing consumer racial profiling
- Travel Alberta, Understanding the benefits e-commerce can bring to your business and how to get started + Social School handout
- Travel Alberta, Communicating with your customers during a crisis + communications checklist
Relief Programs - Canada
- Simplified Employment Insurance Program
- Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit
- Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
- CECRA: Application now open - July/August extensions now available
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) - Extended to Summer 2021
- Canada Summer Jobs Grant
- Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) and SME Loan Guarantee Program:
- Canada's Work Sharing Program
- Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
- Canada Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits
- Flexibility for filing Income Tax
- Bank of Canada Key Interest Rate Cut
- GST Tax Credit Payment
Government Response Plans
- Government of Canada: COVID-19 economic response plan
- Alberta: Support for employees and employers
- Alberta: Support for Albertans
- Alberta: Essential services
- Edmonton: Emergency preparedness COVID-19
- Edmonton: Business and economy support
Business Operations
- BDO: Insurance coverage considerations on COVID-19
- Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses: Coronavirus and small business: keeping you and your employees safe
- Business Link: COVID-19 tips for small businesses
- Edmonton Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19 Preparedness
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: Business Continuity Planning
- Edmonton Global: COVID-19 resources
- AGLC: Fact sheet for allowing liquor off-sales and deliveries from licensed restaurants
- Alberta Emergency Response: Unsolicited offers program
Mental Health Resources
- Text4Hope: Text COVID19HOPE to 393939 to subscribe
- Wellness Together Canada: Free access to courses, counselling, and community support
- Mobile Tools for Mental Wellness
- Canadian Mental Health Association Online Crisis Chat
- Government of Canada: Taking Care of Your Mental Health
Further details on current government announcements can be found here:
Updated March 17, 2020
Update from the Old Strathcona Business Association
Now, more than ever, the health and wellbeing of our staff, business members, residents, and visitors of Old Strathcona is top of mind. We are working with city officials and stakeholders to address the challenges that face the local business community during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Old Strathcona Business Association will continue to be the voice of this community in those discussions.
Considering the current situation, and following recommendations from the Government of Alberta, we have decided to close our office until further notice. Our team is fully integrated online, and will be working from home. We are available during regular office hours by phone and email. Any scheduled meetings will be taken via conference call to further reduce any risks associated with social interaction.
If you have questions about a businesses’ operations, we suggest that you get in touch with that business directly, as each business is handling their operations differently, while doing their best to ensure the safety of their staff and patrons. We recognize that this situation is changing rapidly, and our businesses are doing their part to adapt. Some businesses have made changes to expand delivery and online shopping options. Please consider supporting our local business community by ordering take-out, getting delivery, buying a gift card, or if you are comfortable purchasing in person, to take the necessary precautions to do so.
We are committed to supporting our community during this difficult time. Please ensure you are following the latest updates from the Government of Alberta, as they are the primary source of information on the COVID-19 health crisis.
Thank you for your support and understanding.
-The Old Strathcona Business Association