COVID-19 Information for Newcomers

Please note that given the speed of change during the COVID-19 precautions, the following information may suddenly be out of date. However, GWLIP staff will try to update this page with any changes.

[INFORMATION LAST UPDATED MARCH 5, 2021]

A Message from Public Health Regarding COVID-19 Vaccinations:

WDG Public Health has opened a new dedicated Vaccine Registration and Booking Help Line. Eligible priority groups needing help pre-registering for their vaccine appointment or booking their vaccine appointment online can call 1-844-780-0202, open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Messages will be returned in 1-3 business days. Eligible priority groups are still strongly encouraged to pre-register and book their appointments online as much as possible as it is the fastest way to get in the system.

For a full list of priority groups who are eligible to pre-register, please visit our website. Please do not pre-register if you are not part of these groups. Vaccine appointments are not yet available for the general public.

Information on COVID-19 and how to protect yourself and others:

• • How will Guelph enforce provincial emergency orders? [Jan. 13, 2021]
  • Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health has great deal of information on COVID-19 available on their website.
  • You can call Telehealth Ontario for free, non-emergency medical advice.
  • The Ministry of Health has developed an information sheet about COVID-19, how they can protect themselves and what to do if they think they have contracted the 2019 novel coronavirus. The information sheet is available here in multiple languages. Also available in Tigrinya and Amharic.
  • General information on COVID-19 and government supports in Tigrinya and Amharic.

Supports available through the Government of Canada

• • • The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) may be available for those who have lost their job due to COVID-19 but are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.
    • Financial Supports available for newcomers, temporary residents, and refugees [now translated into 10 non-official languages!]
    • Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan (all federal support programs related to COVID-19 can be found at that link)
    • Support for people facing unemployment includes Employment Insurance (EI) and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) [the CERB program has been closed]
    • Supports for businesses include the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Business Credit Availability Program

Additional Support for Families

• • CMAS has created a number of resources for newcomer families, related to the COVID-19 situation.

Information for Refugees and Sponsors

1. 1. Canadian Council for Refugees COVID-19 information for Refugees and Sponsors

Immigration and COVID-19:

1. 1. COVID-19: A Guide for Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada
   2. Impacts of COVID-19 on immigration, work permits, study permits, etc. (From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
   3. Travel Information and Instructions from Public Health
   4. “Canada will accept incomplete study permit and PGWP applications”

Settlement Service Updates:

1. 1. Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington
   2. Medical Interpretation Services through ISGW
   3. County of Wellington Settlement Services

Municipal Services Updates:

1. 1. City of Guelph
   2. County of Wellington

Supports for Businesses

1. 1. Supports through the Federal Government
   2. Supports through the County of Wellington
   3. Return to Work Guidance for Employers in Ontario, by sector

Supports for Post-Secondary Students

1. IRCC: COVID-19: A Guide for International Students in Canada Arriving from Abroad
2. Federal COVID-19 supports for students
3. University of Guelph International Students FAQ page
4. University of Guelph Students Emergency Bursary

How to translate web pages through Google Translate

Bing Microsoft Translator now offers translation in Tigrinya, Nepali, and Amharic!

Public Health has also released a list of COVID-19 related resources for newcomers, available here

Food Bank

Online and virtual mental health supports

Asking for Help When Things Are Not Right – CAMH Multilingual Support Resources

GW Women in Crisis Centre

Mayor’s Task Force identifies mental health support, PPE procurement as vital to economic recovery

[INFORMATION LAST UPDATED MARCH 5, 2021]