The World Health Organization has announced that the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, has become a global pandemic. The current risk to Albertans remains low, and our public health system is actively responding.
While the situation is concerning, we can all play a role in protecting our families, colleagues, friends and our communities. As the number of cases in Alberta increases – an expected trend as the public health authority works aggressively to test and limit the spread – so will the number of people impacted, including those in self-isolation at home. It is important during times like these that we look out for and support our neighbours and community.
As business owners, employers, employees, and citizens, we recognize that this rapidly changing situation is causing worry and concern. To support you through this uncertainty, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, in its role as emergency partner to the Calgary Emergency Management Agency, has gathered and prepared several resources.
Chamber update: March 12, 2020
While the current risk to Albertans posed by COVID-19 remains low, we can all play a role in protecting our families, colleagues, friends, and our communities. As it stands, social distancing measures have proven to be the most effective means to contain the spread of the virus.
Effective March 16, 2020, all Calgary Chamber staff will be working from home, and our physical office space will be closed to the public.
The work of the Calgary Chamber will continue. Every team member at the Chamber is set-up to work remotely and we will be connected with each other and with all our stakeholders. It is because we have the infrastructure that we are able to take this precautionary step. We also felt very strongly that it was the right step to take for the well-being of our community. You can learn more about our staff policy here.
In addition, all Calgary Chamber events scheduled for March and April have been cancelled or convened online. Events scheduled for May or later will be determined in the coming weeks.
We will continue to make sure the voice of Calgary’s business community is heard by leaders and influencers, to create opportunities for connection, learning and growth, and to deliver on our purpose to nourish, power and inspire our business community. We will simply do all of these keeping social distancing in mind through all of our engagement.
COVID-19 Guidance and Resources
MONITOR
Stay up to date on the rapidly evolving situation, and on the nature of the virus itself, by frequently checking provincial, national and international websites.
Resources:
- Website: Government of Alberta: COVID-19 information for Albertans
- Website: Government of Canada: COVID-19 Outbreak update
- Website: Centre for Disease Control and Prevention: COVID-19 Resources
- Website: World Health Organization: COVID-19 Updates
PREVENT
Use best practices to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, at home and at work.
- Actively encourage anyone who is feeling ill to stay home and away from others.
- Use and encourage good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and avoiding touch.
- Consider additional social distancing measures, such as working remotely.
Resources:
- Posters: Handwashing, Work Station Cleaning, Vehicle Cleaning
- Guidelines: CDC: Keeping your workplace, school, and home safe
- Guidelines: Health Canada decision-making guidelines for mass gatherings during COVID-19
PREPARE
Ensure your business is prepared to handle a potential case of business disruption, including accessing available government resources to mitigate potential financial impacts to your employees and your business.
- Review or create a Business Continuity Plan for your organization, ensuring it contains:
undefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefined
Resources:
- Checklist: Maintaining business during an infectious disease outbreak
- Planning Tools: Business Continuity Handbook, Template, and Reference Guide
- Guidelines: Government of Canada: COVID-19 Travel Advice
- News Release: Government of Canada $1 billion COVID-19 Response Fund
- Website: Canadian Chamber of Commerce Pandemic Preparedness for Business
- Website: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employees
- Guide: How COVID-19 delays could affect your supply chain from contracts to insurance and custom clearance
- Trade Commissioner Service: Key considerations for Canadian businesses
RESPOND
Follow all public health guidelines if you, or a member of your team, is experiencing symptoms, in order to ensure the safety of your workforce and your workspace.
- Call Health Link at 8-1-1 for instructions if you, or a member of your team, is experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing and have travelled outside of Canada, or were exposed to someone who has COVID-19.
Resources:
- Website: Alberta Health Link
- BDC: Support for entrepreneurs impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19
ASSIST
Consider how you can support your immediate community through the outbreak
- Offer and provide support to employees and coworkers who are at home.
- Consider whether your organization can provide goods or services to assist those in self-isolation (ie: grocery delivery, online or telephone counselling, internet services).
Resources:
- Guidelines: Self-Isolation Information Sheet
