Downtown Rideau BIA | Where Culture Lives! » COVID-19: Information for Businesses

COVID-19: Information for Businesses

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Downtown Rideau B.I.A. (DRBIA) is working closely with all levels of government to help keep businesses, employees and the public safe and healthy. As stewards of the Downtown Rideau community, our primary role in this time of crisis it to ensure our members can access accurate, up-to-the-minute information from the appropriate expert sources as quickly and effectively as possible.

Support for Downtown Rideau Businesses

The Downtown Rideau B.I.A. is engaged and actively working closely with the City of Ottawa, Mayor’s Economic Partners Task Force, relevant agencies and other B.I.A.s throughout the city, to establish support programs for our business members during closures, and in preparation to reopen.

Support includes:

Creating a list of Downtown Rideau businesses providing services for promotion on the City of Ottawa’s #BuyLocal website, and consultation with the City on businesses’ challenges and needs.
Creating a promotional campaign supported with digital advertising: SUPPORT LOCAL…From A Safe Distance to assist members offering services during closures.
Creating a Downtown Rideau ONLINE STORE to host the SUPPORT LOCAL campaign linking to members’ online stores to promote on our networks, digital advertising and the City’s #BuyLocal web page. Contact marketing@downtownrideau.com to link your online store. Tag @DowntownRideau in your social media posts so we can share your information.
Creating a Downtown Rideau COVID-19 Recovery Strategy

Stay Safe and Healthy

As the #COVID19 situation unfolds, please be mindful of its impact on your #MentalHealth. It’s normal for situations like this to affect you and it’s completely OK to ask for help. If you need support, Distress Centre Ottawa is available 24/7 at 613-238-3311 or dcottawa.on.ca.

Our DRBIA team has prepared the following resource links for your quick reference:

Government of Canada

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian businesses
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
Temporary 10% Wage Subsidy
Extending the Work-Sharing program
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Health Canada landing page
Business Development Bank of Canada: Support for Entrepreneurs impacted by coronavirus
Business continuity plan and templates for entrepreneurs
Export Development Canada
Employment Insurance and Labour and Occupational Health and Safety Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Employment and Social Development Canada
Health Canada / Public Health Agency of Canada:Twitter, Facebook, Web
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: As COVID-19 continues to spread globally, watch out for associated scams.

Provincial of Ontario

Ontario Ministry of Health – stats and self assessment tool
Ontario Ministry of Health: Twitter, Facebook, Web

City of Ottawa

Ottawa Public Health: Twitter, Facebook, Web
Distress Centre Ottawa is available 24/7 at 613-238-3311
Communications Materials

Other Resources:

Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Pandemic Preparedness for Business
Canadian Business Resilience Network — Small Business Relief Fund
World Health Organization COVID-19 – Business and Employees
Travel Restrictions are outlined here;

Credible Sources of Information

Please continue to visit the above credible sources of information and follow updates from Ottawa Public Health, Councilor Fleury and the City of Ottawa for the most accurate information as it becomes available. Our team will continue to post updates to the NEWS page on the DRBIA website with real time information on COVID-19 recommendations as it relates to member businesses.