To support organizations and migrant workers during the COVID-19 public health emergency, AMSSA has created a curated list of useful resources. This list will be updated as new information is released.
Government Guides and Announcements
Suspension of the mandatory vaccination to board a plane in Canada: on June 14, 2022, the Government of Canada announced that as of 00:01 EDT on June 20, vaccination will no longer be a requirement to board a plane or train in Canada. Other public health measures, such as wearing a mask, continue to apply and will be enforced throughout a traveller’s journey on a plane or train. Travellers on federally regulated planes and trains continue to be required to wear a mask throughout their journey except for brief periods (e.g., eating or drinking). With the suspension of the domestic mandate, unvaccinated foreign nationals, including temporary foreign workers, will continue to be able to depart Canada by plane or train, including after August 31,2022. Click here to read more about the policy change.
Federal & Provincial Quarantine and Isolation Requirements: Information on the current federal and provincial quarantine and isolation requirements for Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) arriving in Canada. Click here to read more about Federal & Provincial quarantine and isolation requirements.
Temporary foreign agricultural, food, and seafood workers must quarantine: all temporary foreign workers (TFWs) who are not fully vaccinated in agricultural, food, and seafood sectors arriving in B.C. in order to work in B.C. are required to quarantine in provincially-managed accommodations for 14 days. Click here to read more about what is expected from TFWs and employer in B.C.
A guide for temporary foreign workers travelling to Canada: is a multilingual guide for temporary foreign workers travelling to Canada. The guide includes information on how to stop the spread of COVID-19, what you need to know before leaving your country of origin, what to know for your arrival, and what to know for the rest of your stay. Click below to access the pdf documents in your preferred language.
- English version: COVID-19: A guide for temporary foreign workers travelling to Canada
- French version: COVID-19 : Guide pour les travailleurs étrangers temporaires voyageant au Canada
- Spanish version: COVID-19: Guía para trabajadores extranjeros temporales que viajan a Canadá
- Thai version:โควิด-19: ค ำแนะน ำสำ หรบัแรงงำนต่ำงดำ้วชว่ัครำวทเี่ ดนิทำงไปแคนำ ดำ
- Tagalong version: COVID-19: Isang patnubay para sa temporary foreign workers na magbibiyahe papunta sa Canada
- Mandarin version: COVID-19: 冠状病毒病(COVID-19)：临时外国工人前往加拿 大旅行指南
Temporary border restrictions and measures to address COVID-19 Omicron variant of concern
Fully vaccinated travellers who have been in any country other than Canada and the United States in the 14 days prior to entry to Canada may be selected for arrival testing. They must quarantine in a suitable place until they receive a negative result. They may take public transportation (for example, connecting flights) to their place of quarantine.COVID-19: A guide for temporary foreign workers travelling to CanadaCOVID-19: A guide for temporary foreign workers travelling to Canada
Fully vaccinated travellers
- English version: If you are fully vaccinated and meet specific requirements, these new measures may apply to you. Fully vaccinated means having received the full series of a vaccine
or a combination of vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen) at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. - French version: Si vous êtes entièrement vacciné et que vous répondez à certaines exigences précises, ces mesures pourraient s’appliquer à vous. Pour être considéré comme entièrement vacciné, il faut avoir reçu la série complète des doses d’un vaccin ou d’une combinaison de vaccins approuvée par le gouvernement du Canada (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen)
au moins 14 jours avant d’entrer au Canada
Notice regarding temporary foreign workers’ freedom of movement
English version: Notice regarding foreign workers’ freedom of movement
French version: Aviso acerca de la libertad de movimiento de los trabajadores extranjeros temporales
Spanish version:Avis au sujet de la liberté de circuler des travailleurs étrangers temporaires
New Immigration Process Allows Temporary Foreign Workers to Get Back to Work Quickly
The Government announced, effective immediately, a new, temporary policy that will drastically reduce the time it takes for a temporary foreign worker to start a new job.
ESDC Information Bulletin – last updated April 3, 2020
Government of Canada and Government of British Columbia information and resources for individuals and organizations supporting temporary foreign workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in British Columbia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Employment and Social Development Canada
Information on new measures under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Letter from Ministers to employers – Temporary Foreign Workers – COVID-19
The Government of Canada is working with employers, workers and stakeholders to ensure that they are aware of their obligations to comply with public health requirements in the context of COVID-19. The Minister of Health, and Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, have shared a joint letter with employers outlining the Government of Canada’s expectations.
How the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is affecting immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport services: visitors, foreign workers and students
Restrictions and exemptions for travellers to Canada.
COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information
The Province of BC’s COVID-19 homepage now includes translated sites in multiple languages. Here you can find essential information, news releases and important messages from the province during the pandemic.
Provincial Guidelines for Protecting Farm Workers and Temporary Foreign Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This guidance applies to farm employers, operators, workers, and contractors working in the agriculture sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Temporary Foreign Workers who have completed their mandatory 14-day quarantine
period.
Occupational Health and Safety
- WorkSafeBC COVID-19 Regulations FAQ
Frequently asked questions related to migrant workers and COVID-19 answered by WorkSafeBC. - WorkSafeBC claims process for Temporary Foreign Workers
Guidelines for Temporary Foreign Workers surrounding the WorkSafeBC claims process when workers are directed to self-isolate. - WorkSafeBC: COVID-19 and the Workplace
A summary of recommendations for key workplace issues related to COVID-19 such as workplace protections, right to refuse work and compensation. - WorkSafeBC COVID-19 Information and Resources
Learn more about WorkSafe BC services during the pandemic including how to make a claim. - Employment Standards Act: Protecting Jobs During Difficult Times
The Province has made two significant changes to the Employment Standards Act to better support workers both during the COVID-19 public health emergency and in the long term. - Agriculture and COVID-19 Safety
These protocols provide guidance to employers in the agriculture industry. Employers must also ensure they are abiding by any orders, notices, or guidance issued by the provincial health officer, and the appropriate health authority, that are relevant to their workplace. - WorkSafeBC Inquiries Contact Form
- Health and Safety questions 1-888-621-7233, translation services available, staffed 8 – 4:30 pm but available 24 hrs, 7 days a week for urgent health and safety concerns.
Health Care
- Employer FAQs: Vaccinations for Agricultural TFWs leaving Quarantine
To address the FAQs by employers the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries prepared this factsheet. - Medical Services Plan – British Columbia Response to COVID-19
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary foreign workers in B.C. with a permit of less than 6 months, who would otherwise not be eligible for coverage under MSP, will be provided temporary MSP coverage to July 31, 2020 or the end of their permit, whichever is sooner. - Managing COVID-19 Stress, Anxiety & Depression
Information on what we can do as individuals and collectively to deal with stress and support one another during these challenging times. - Vancouver Coastal Health Resources
Daily VCH updates as well as information on COVID-19 prevention, symptoms and what to do if you are feeling sick. - Public Health Agency of Canada Resouces
Latest information on COVID-19 from Public Health. - COVID-19 Hotline
British Columbia has an information hotline solely dedicated to answering non-medical questions about COVID-19. Service providers at the new phone line will help answer questions about travel recommendations, social distancing, and what kinds of support, resources and assistance are available. This hotline can be reached by calling 1-888-COVID19 or 1-888-268-4319 from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day with information available in more than 110 languages.
Other
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Public Transit Precautions
Guidelines to keep the transit system safe and clean for yourself and those around you. - COVID-19 Multilingual Resources
Reputable resources for learning more about COVID-19 in five different languages. - Online Fraud Reporting Tool
This tool can be used to report any potential cases of abuse of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to the Government of Canada.
Visit the AMSSA website for more COVID-19 resources.
