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Corona Virus

Vaccination Bookings

Eligibility for vaccination bookings is an ever changing demographic.

To view the latest group that is eligible visit: COVID-19 Immunization Booking (AHS)

on this page you can also sign up to receive updates as the phased rollout plan is released.

Note: There are currently high call volumes to 811. We recommend booking through the online booking tool or participating pharmacies when possible.

For the most up to date information from:

The Government of Alberta, click the link below.
www.alberta.ca

The Government of Canada, click the link below.
www.canada.ca

Guidance for Relaunch
When reopening, businesses should become familiar with general and sector-specific guidance documents and implement measures to comply with public health requirements to reduce the risk of COVID-19 among staff and customers.

Alberta Biz Connect

Current Mandatory Provincewide Measures To Protect Lives

www.alberta.ca

Alberta Trace Together App

ABTraceTogether is a mobile contact tracing app that helps to let you know if you've been exposed to COVID-19 – or if you've exposed others – while protecting your privacy.

Quickly identifying and isolating positive cases is an important part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and preventing the spread.

The more Albertans who voluntarily download and use the app, the safer we'll be, and the faster we can reopen the economy.

COVID-19: Alberta Health Services - SELF ASSESSMENT TOOL

A self-assessment tool has been developed by Alberta Health Services to help determine whether you should be tested for COVID-19. You can complete this assessment for yourself or on behalf of someone else, if they are not able. Visit the following to complete your self assessment.

COVID-19 Self-Assessment for Albertans

If you have symptoms:

Anyone who has symptoms, including cough, runny nose, fever or sore throat, must also self-isolate for 14 days.
Please do not visit a hospital, physician’s office, lab or healthcare facility without consulting Health Link (811) first.
If you need immediate medical attention, call 911 and advise them that you may have COVID-19.

To protect yourself while out in public, wash your hands frequently, and maintain a distance of about 2 metres from others.

COVID-19: Book a Test

To book an appointment for testing for COVID-19, go to the Alberta Health Services link below to book your date and time.

www.ahs.ca/covid

COVID-19: Mental Health Supports

Centre for On-line Mental Health Support (COMHS) is a FREE on-line service dedicated to helping individuals and families manage through this difficult time. Providing programming specifically for: Adults, Parents, Teens, Young Adults, Mindfulness, Seniors and Those Living Alone.

Visit their website at: www.comhs.health to view all programs.

If you need help to cope with the COVID-19 situation, please access crisis support services listed below.

Alberta Health Services Access 24/7
(Mental health crisis, adult addiction and central intake)
780-424-2424

Alberta Health Services Mental Health Help Line 24/7
1-877-303-2642

Canadian Mental Health Association
780-482-4357 or 1-800-232-7288

Mental Health Crisis
780-342-7777

Alberta Heartland Primary Care Network
780-997-0046

Victim Services
780-942-3704

Children’s Mental Health Crisis Line
Monday to Friday: 8:00 am - 10:45 pm
Weekends and Stat Holidays: 10:00 am - 10:45 pm
780-427-4491

Other Health and Support Contacts
Call 911 if you need immediate emergency help

Health Link: 811
Call 211 for information and referral to community, social, health and related government services in Alberta

Alberta Supports, Emergency Income Support Contact Centre
1-866-644-5135

COVID-19: Domestic Violence Resources

COVID-19 Domestic Violence Resources
We know that people who are living with violence in their relationships and families may be experiencing increased isolation and danger because of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

To support these vulnerable individuals, we have gathered resources that take their needs into consideration. We have also gathered some resources to make sure family, friends, neighbors and co-workers have the information they need to safely support survivors.
Resources + Information for Survivors:

Remember that you are not alone. There are supports available to you at all times, including during this public health crisis.

• If you or someone you know is in imminent danger, call 911.

• The Alberta Family Violence information is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. You may call 310-1818 and or connect through chat (English only at this time).

• The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters has a toll-free line to help you locate a shelter. Call 1-866-331-3933, then press 1.

• For mental health advice, call the Mental Health Helpline 24/7 at 1-877-303-2642.

• For sexual assault support services, call Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence at 1-866-403-8000.

• Reach out to a trusted friend, co-worker, or family member who could check in with you about your safety and support needs, should you have to self-isolate or quarantine at home. Consider staying with family and friends, if safe to do so.

• Our Family Violence Outreach Worker can provide emotional support and other services. Call or text 587-879-6125 and be sure to let us know when it is safe to call.

• Create or review your safety plan. To get help with safety planning, contact our Family Violence Outreach Worker at by phone or text at 587-879-6125. Be sure to let us know when it is safe to call.

• Take care your physical and mental health. Specific information about COVID-19 for Albertans may be found here. You may also call 811 any time of day to be connected to a nurse for health information and advice.
Community Specific Resources
Contact our Family Violence Outreach Program for a safety planning, emotional support and connections to local resources and agencies. Call or text at 587-879-6125. Be sure to let us know when it is safe to call.

Until all homes are safe, we’ll have Jessie’s House.
www.jmmf.ca | outreach@jmmf.ca | 587-879-6125

Financial Resources, Income Support
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed what survivors of domestic and sexual violence have always known: living wages, paid leave and flexible scheduling are lifelines that give workers the ability to take time off or adjust their schedules to attend to health and safety needs without losing income.

• Your employer may offer paid leave and other benefits. Contact HR or your immediate supervisor.

• Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits have been changed to support Canadians affected COVID-19. You can apply online or call 1-833-381-2725 (toll-free) for more information.

• Income Support for individuals and families to pay for food, clothing and shelter may be available to you.

• Emergency funds are available to help people escaping abuse. Call Alberta Supports to apply:
▪ Weekdays from 7:30 am to 8 pm
Toll free: 1-877-644-9992 (in Alberta)
▪ Weekends, holidays and after hours
Toll free: 1-866-644-5135 (in Alberta)

Resources for the Community at Large
Social distancing, self isolation and/or quarantine may increase risk for those who are living with violence at home. Any response to COVID-19 should include reaching out to keep families, friends, and co-workers supported. Here’s great information to help you support families, friends and neighbours living with family violence.

• Although the resources on this page are from Australia, the information and video are great! https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/domestic-violence/my-situation/i-want-to-help-someone

• Global News produced an excellent three-part series on Family Violence. Watch it here.

• We are trained to deliver Make it Our Business and Cut it Out. To learn how you can Recognize, Respond and Refer members of your community, visit www.makeitourbusiness.ca.

If you or someone you know is in imminent danger, CALL 911

COVID-19: Regional Toolkit for Businesses

In an effort to keep all businesses in the region aware of supports and programs related to Covid-19 measures, we are working together as a region to provide information important to you. This information will be updated for the most recent releases that come available.

For Additional Business Support Links and Updates Please Visit: https://startinsturgeon.ca/Services/COVID-19-Toolkit

Provincial Government Resources

The Alberta Government has provided a set of ten POSTER TO SUPPORT AWARENESS and actions that can be taken to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta, please download or print!
publications/covid-19-information-help-prevent-the-spread-poster

Here is some valuable information from the Government of Alberta on Employment rules changes:

We’re acting quickly to protect Albertans by implementing paid, job-protected leave. Details of how these changes will take effect will be provided in the coming days.

Changes to the Employment Standards Code will allow employees to take 14 days of paid, job-protected leave if they are:

required to self-isolate or sick or caring for a loved one with COVID-19

To be eligible, employees:

will not be required to have a medical note
do not need to have worked for an employer for 90 days

This leave covers the self-isolation period recommended by Alberta’s chief medical officer. We recognize this could put pressure on employers and are working towards a solution to address these challenges.

Business continuity plans

Employers should consider their business continuity plans and how COVID-19 could impact their workplace. To prepare, make plans to:

protect employees
limit spread in workplaces
ensure continuity of critical services if staff are ill or self-isolating
explore alternate working arrangements, such as:

o working from home or remotely

o doing work that doesn’t require contact with other people

Additional Provincial Resource Links Available at https://startinsturgeon.ca/Services/COVID-19-Toolkit OHS: Respiratory viruses and the workplace

Employment standards rules Business continuity planning WCB: COVID-19 worker fact sheet

WCB: COVID-19 employer fact sheet

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness.html

Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits provide up to 15 weeks of income replacement and is available to eligible claimants who are unable to work because of illness, injury or quarantine, to allow them time to restore their health and return to work. Canadians quarantined can apply for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits. If you are eligible, visit the EI sickness benefits page to apply.

Service Canada is ready to support Canadians affected by COVID-19 and placed in quarantine, with the following support actions: · The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined so they can be paid for the first week of their claim

Establishing a new dedicated toll-free phone number to support enquiries related to waiving the EI sickness benefits waiting period
Priority EI application processing for EI sickness claims for clients under quarantine
People claiming EI sickness benefits due to quarantine will not have to provide a medical certificate
People who cannot complete their claim for EI sickness benefits due to quarantine may apply later and have their EI claim backdated to cover the period of delay

Contact the new dedicated toll-free phone number if you are in quarantine and seeking to waive the one-week EI sickness benefits waiting period so you can be paid for the first week of your claim:

Telephone: 1-833-381-2725 (toll-free) · Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-529-3742

Work Sharing Program: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing/

The Work-Sharing program is implementing temporary special measures to support employers and employees affected by the downturn in business caused by COVID-19. The new temporary special measures are available to employers impacted directly or indirectly by COVID-19. The measures allows for eligible employers to retain skilled employees and workers to remain employed during the temporary downturn in business due to COVID-19. The temporary special measures will:

extend the Work-Sharing agreements by an additional 38 weeks
wave the mandatory waiting period between agreements
ease the recovery plan requirements Access the Work-Sharing page to learn more about the program and its Access the Work-Sharing temporary special measures page to find out if you are eligible for temporary special measures.

The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

COVID-19: Guidance for Flushing Water Systems

Overview

This is intended for both building and business operators who operate within buildings that have been affected by low or zero occupancy and have had reduced water flow during the COVID-19 pandemic. Water lines in these building should be flushed to ensure that potential microbial and chemical risks from stagnant water are minimized. For example, water that stays in lines for a long period of time can have higher amounts of leached chemicals or bacterial growth in the water.

Flushing procedures should be done in accordance with any site-specific protocols. Depending on the complexity of the system, it may be helpful to consult with a plumber or building system engineer to assist with flushing procedures. All components of the water system should be assessed including the water service delivery line, building reservoirs, internal plumbing lines, boilers, water softeners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, ultrasonic mist machines and hot and cold water lines. Disease-causing organisms can be transmitted to workers and patrons through the aerosols generated at faucets, showers, toilets, humidifiers, decorative fountains and cooling towers. Ingesting the water or preparing food with stagnant water can also be risky.

COVID-19 Risk Mitigation

System Evaluation	Identify all zones in the business or building that have had low or no occupancy. Understand how water moves from the main supply through the water distribution and to the faucets. This will help determine which building sections need to be flushed. Flush these lines before building tenants return to these areas. Flushing times will depend on the size and length of piping, and the flow rate at the flush point. Any stagnant water supplying HVAC systems, humidifiers, decorative water fountains/features, water storage units such as boilers should be flushed. Review and follow any maintenance or manufacturer’s procedures related to these systems.
Preparing for Re-Entry	At least one complete flush of the water system’s volume is needed to refresh the water supply. Flush buildings in a zone by zone fashion, working outwards from the zone nearest the building supply. Follow any site-specific maintenance procedures. Flush cold and hot water taps separately in each zone of the building or business where stagnant water may be present. Drain and flush the cold water system first, then drain and flush the hot water system. Finally, drain and flush the hot water tank and other peripheral equipment. In some cases, filters and filter media may need to be changed. Flush taps for at least 5 minutes and continue flushing until the water temperature is steady and the water is clear of sediment at each fixture. Sediment and/or discolouring may be signs of potentially deteriorated water. If able to measure total chlorine levels, aim for a residual of 0.1 - 0.2 mg/L, after flushing. Ensure that the plumbing and water system components are working properly. As necessary, inspect mechanical and plumbing components such as cooling towers, boilers and pumps. Examine plumbing for leaks, depressurization and proper function. Ensure that backflow prevention devices are operating properly. Verify that hot water storage systems are operating above 50C Flush all fixtures within the businesses of a building (faucets, fridge, plumbed-in coffee machines, toilets etc.) and run equipment such as dishwashers and ice machines. Remove and clean aerators on faucets, showers, mixing valves and other fixtures. These can trap contaminants and grow biofilm. Disinfect, flush or replace showerheads in facilities where vulnerable populations have access to the showers. After the hot water tank is recharged to 50C, test the temperature at points of use to ensure that scalding risks are eliminated, especially in facilities with vulnerable populations (i.e. children, elderly) Minimize aerosolization during flushing. For example, taps do not need to be fully opened. For buildings with continued limited occupancy, weekly supplemental flushing in those areas which remain vacant or partially occupied is recommended.
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems	Cooling systems in buildings with low or zero occupancy or reduced water flow should continue to be operated and maintained. If the cooling towers have been turned off, or not well maintained, contact an industry professional to determine steps needed to physically clean and disinfect the system before returning to operation. Other components of the HVAC system, such as humidifiers which have not been in use should be drained, cleaned and flushed prior to re-occupancy.
Decorative Water Fountains/Features	Decorative water fountains with water treatment systems that were shut-off and drained may be refilled. If the decorative water fountain does not have a treatment system, the fountain should be drained and cleaned before recommissioning. Prior to start-up of a fountain that has been drained: Clean all decorative water features, including water lines for spray features, ensuring they are free of visible slime or biofilm, and drain water used for cleaning to waste. Follow any recommended manufacturer guidelines for cleaning. Refill the water feature and chlorinate to a minimum total chlorine residual of 0.2 mg/L.

For futher information, visit alberta.ca/BizConnect
Email: BizConnect@gov.ab.ca