"You cannot fight a fire blindfolded."

(Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO))

Stay informed with government information on our battle with COVID-19

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a coronavirus.

"Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans.  In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019." (Q&A, WHO)

[See also WHO Timeline, History, Emergency Measures Tracker and Hubei Timeline]

December 2019

• December 31: WHO China Country Office is informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown etiology detected in ​Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China (Situation report, 21 January 2020, WHO)

January 2020

• January 1: Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan city is closed
  • Wuhan police punished eight people for "publishing or forwarding false information on the internet without verification"
• January 2: Incident management system is activated across the three levels of WHO (Situation report, 21 Jan. 2020, WHO)
• January 12: "The (Chinese) government reports that there is no clear evidence that the virus passes easily from person to person" 
• January 12: China shares the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus 
• January 14: "There may have been limited human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus" (WHO)
• January 23: Wuhan is put in lockdown
• January 25: First presumptive confirmed case in Canada, related to travel in Wuhan
• January 26: "There is no clear evidence that this virus is spread easily from person to person.The risk to Canadians remains low." [@CPHO_Canada]
• January 27: "The incubation period of the virus range from 2-10 days" (Situation Report-7, WHO)
• January 30: WHO declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

February 2020

• February 6: The death of Dr. Li Wenliang, the whistleblower in China (WHO, Feb. 6, 2020)
• February 7: Canadians are repatriated from Wuhan, to be quarantined at CFB Trenton
• February 11: WHO announces a name for the new coronavirus disease: COVID-19
• February 21: Canadians are repatriated on the Grand Princess cruise ship in Japan, to be quarantined at NAV Centre in Cornwall

March 2020

• March 4: Prime Minister creates committee [Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic] [Fact sheet]
• March 6: Government of Canada (GC) invests $27M in coronavirus research [Details of the funded projects]
• March 7: Canada's first long-term care facility outbreak is recorded in B.C.
• March 9:  Canada's first death related to COVID-19 confirmed in B.C.
• March 11: WHO characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic
• March 11: Prime Minister announces a more than $1 billion Response Fund 
• March 12: Government of Ontario announces public schools would be closed from March 14 to April 5, 2020
• March 13: Financial Administration Act amended [Bill C-12]
• March 13: Parliament adjourned until April 20, 2020 pursuant to Standing Order 2 8(2) and 24(1)
• March 13: Quebec declares a state of health emergency [renewal: March 20, March 29, April 15, April 22]
• March 16: GC advises Canadians to avoid non-essential travel and return to Canada asap
• March 16: GC announces barring foreign nationals except the US from entering Canada
• March 16: Prince Edward Island declares a public health emergency [April 16 renewal]
• March 17: Ontario enacts a Declaration of emergency [renewal: March 30, April 11, April 23 May 6, May 12, June 24] [Statement after three months]
• March 17: Alberta declares public health emergency
• March 18: Declared public health emergencies:
  • British Columbia [renewal: March 31, April 15, April 29, June 10]
  • Newfoundland and Labrador, April 16 renewal
  • Yukon announcement, [Order] (March 27)
  • Nunavut
  • Saskatchewan 
• March 19: GC funds 49 additional COVID-19 research projects [Details of the funded projects]
• March 19: New Brunswick declares a state of emergency [renewal: March 25, April 1, April 16, April 30, May 14] 
• March 20: Prime Minister announces Canada's plan to mobilize industry to fight COVID-19 [New measures]
• March 20: Ontario waives the three-month waiting period for OHIP
• March 20: Ontario launches first phase of the Learn at Home Portal
• March 20: Alberta appoints the Economic Recovery Council 
• March 22: Nova Scotia declares a state of emergency [renewal: April 2, April 17, May 1]
• March 23: Toronto mayor declares a State of Emergency; [one month check in]
• March 23: Ontario orders the mandatory closure of all non-essential workplaces [List of essential workplaces]
• March 24: Assembly of First Nations declares State of Emergency
• March 24: Northwest Territories declares a State of Emergency [renewal: April 2, April 15, April 28, June 24]
• March 24: Prime Minister solicited the views of premiers on the federal Emergency Act 
• March 24: Standing Order 17 suspended to allow only 32 (out of 338) MPs at the House of Commons to debate Bill C-13
  • [House of Commons Debates. March 24, 2020]
  • COVID-19 Emergency Response Act received Royal Assent [Bill C-13]
  • Government introduces Canada Emergency Response Benefit to help workers and businesses [CERB]
• March 24: Ontario provides electricity relief [renewal: COVID-19 Recovery Rate, June 1 - Oct. 31, 2020]
• March 25: Ontario's Action Plan outlines a $1.7 billion response package [March 2020 Economic and fiscal update]
• March 26:  Mandatory isolation of 14 days for people entering Canada [PC: 2020-0175]
  • Prohibition on entry into Canada from elsewhere than US [PC: 2020-0184]
  • Prohibition on entry into Canada from US [PC: 2020-0185]
• March 27: Manitoba declares a state of emergency [renewal: April 20, May 15, June 15]
• March 28: Ontario prohibits gatherings of more than five people

April 2020

• April 3: Ontario reduces the list of essential businesses [list of essential businesses]
• April 11: COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No.2 received Royal Assent [Bill C-14]
  • to help businesses keep Canadians in their jobs: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
• April 13: Public Health Agency of Canada releases interim guidance for long-term care homes
• April 14: Mandatory isolation for people entering Canada, No. 2 [PC: 2020-0260]
• April 14: RCMP, local and provincial police forces facilitate enforcement of the Federal Quarantine Act
• April 20: Canada Armed Forces are deployed to support long-term care facilities in Quebec
• April 20: The High River meat-packing plant in Alberta closes temporarily as cases of COVID-19 spike
• April 23: Prime Minister announces new support for COVID-19 medical research & vaccine development
  • COVID-19 Immunity Task Force 
  • Canadian COVID-19 Genomics Network (CanCOGeN)
  • VIDO-InterVac
• April 23: Saskatchewan announces Phase One To Re-Open Saskatchewan beginning May 4, 2020 [Re-open plan]
• April 24: Prime Minister announces the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance for small business [CECRA]
• April 24: Canada Armed Forces are deployed to support Ontario long-term care home [May 26 Key findings]
  • New Brunswick announces first phase recovery plan [Community Guidance]
• April 26: Ontario extends school closures until at least May 31, 2020
• April 27: Quebec announces reopening plan [Gradual resumption of activities]
• April 27: Ontario unveils guiding principles to reopen the province
• April 28: Prince Edward Island announces phased reopening plan beginning May 1, 2020 [Renew PEI together]
• April 28: Yukon announces lifting of restrictions and new guidelines for social gatherings
• April 29: Manitoba announces a phased approach to reopen the economy beginning May 4, 2020
• April 30: Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates the federal budget deficit would increase to:
  • $24.9 billion in 2019/20
  • $252.1 billion in 2020/21
• April 30: Alberta announces a phased relaunch beginning May 14, 2020 [Alberta's relaunch strategy]

May 2020

• May 1: Canadian Emergency Student Benefits Act (Bill C-15) received Royal Assent [CESB]
• May 1: Ontario allows certain business to reopen on May 4, 2020 [Framework for reopening]
• May 1: Nova Scotia releases restriction updates
• May 4: City of Toronto to begin opening community gardens and allotment gardens
• May 4: Manitoba court confirms date (May 26) to reopen trials
• May 5: Prime Minister announces support to farmers, food businesses, and food processors 
  • Emergency Processing Fund
  • AgriRecovery Framework
• May 5: Quebec relaxes COVID-19 restrictions on some seniors' homes
• May 6: British Columbia outlines plan to restart B.C. safely [Restart Plan] [COVID-19 Go-Forward Management Strategy]
• May 8: GC announcs new Industry Strategy Council 
• May 8: Ontario eases restrictions on professional sports training facilities
• May 8: Newfoundland Labrador eases restrictions on provincial ferries [NFLD's Alert Level System]
• May 8: Nova Scotia announces that students will finish school on June 5 
• May 8: City of Toronto announces plan to support retail stores' re-opening for pickup and delivery service [CurbTO]
• May 11: Ontario retail stores open for curbside pickup and delivery 
• May 12: National Research Council & CanSino Biologics Inc. announces collaboration to advance vaccine [Ad5-nCoV]
• ​May 12: Health Canada authorizes the first COVID-19 serological test for use in Canada ​[Testing devices]
• May 13: FedNor launches Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to support local economies [RRRF]
• May 14: Prime Minister announces new support for Canada's fish harvesters
• May 14: Parks Canada will offer limited visitor access starting June 1 [Plan your visit]
• May 14: Ontario announces additional workplaces that can reopen [Safety guidance] [Workplace PPE supplier directory]
• May 19: Ontario announces Independent Commission into Long-Term Care 
• May 19: Ontario announces schools remain closed for the rest of the school year
• May 19: Ontario announces collaboration with Med-Tech Innovation Hub in the Fight Against COVID-19 [MIX]
• May 19: GC announces support to farmers (CEBA) [May 22 update]
• May 20: GC announces support program for large employers is open for applications (LEEFF)
• May 20: Ontario reopens: people urged to continue following Public Health advice which includes face covering recommendations
• May 22: GC announces online tool  [Find financial help during COVID-19]
• May 22: Ontario announces new programs: focus on hospitality workers and apprentices 
• May 23: City of Toronto releases statement on Trinity Bellwoods Park
• May 25: Ontario hospitals assume management of two long-term care homes 
• May 26: MPs voted on Motion for Closure: Standing Committee on the COVID-19 and Parliament [May 26, 2020 Journal]
• May 26: Ontario outlines key findings from the Canadian Armed Forces report on the five long-term care homes
  • [Report was written on May 14] (Oral Questions on May 26, 2020 HofC Hansard)
• May 27: Ontario extends Emergency Orders until June 9, 2020
• May 27: Quebec releases Canadian military report on long-term care facilities in Quebec
• May 27: Minister of Health authorizes a few changes for clinical trials [list of approved clinical trials]
• May 27: New Brunswick announces that Zone 5 transitioning back to Orange level 
• May 27: Ontario has deploys teams to conduct inspections at high-risk long-term care homes over the next 21 days
• May 28: Ontario extendes Mandate of Incident Management System Long-term Care Table
• May 29: City of Toronto opens applications for Community Crisis Response Fund with updated COVID-19 criteria
• May 29: City of Toronto works with downtown employers to extend working from home efforts 
  • [Recovery & Rebuild]
• May 30: Ontario increases the emergency payment to eligible retirement home residents
  • Retirement Home Act, 2010 regulation

June 2020

• June 1: Prime Minister announces $2.2 billion infrastructure funding through the Federal Gas Tax Fund 
• June 1: Ontario announces the Infectious Disease Emergency Leave for non-unionized employees
  • Bill 186
• June 1: City of Toronto & United Way Greater Toronto announces a Shelter Interim Recovery Strategy for homelessness
• June 2: Supplementary Estimates (A) 2020-21 account for $6 billion spending plans tabled in the House of Commons
  • Supplementary Estimates (A), 2020 -21
  • Main Estimates 2020-21
• June 2: Ontario issues an order appointing new management at Kitchener long-term care home
• June 3: Transport Canada announces new measures for the use of face coverings
• June 3: Ontario announces plan to improve Broadband and Cell services for rural communities [Action plan]
• June 4: Prime Minister announces special payment in July for seniors
• June 4: Ontario appoints special advisor to develop the new Ontario Health Data Platform
• June 4: City of Toronto launches CaféTO plan to help create more outdoor space for local restaurants and bars
• June 4: Ontario Hospital assumes interim management of Woodbridge Vista Care Community in Vaughan
• June 4: Ontario creates Council to advise government on challenges facing youth 
• June 5: Prime minister announces a special one-time, tax-free payment to certificate holders of the Disability Tax Credit
• June 5: A new Canadian Agricultural Partnership program is introduced to support Alberta's Beekeepers
• June 6: Ontario extends Emergency Orders until June 19, 2020 
• June 8: Canada Border Services announces changes to travel restrictions for immediate family members of Canadian citizens & permanent residents
• June 8: Ontario announces Stage 2 of reopening effective June 12, 2020 [Stage 2 reopening Ontario]
• June 8: Ontario will increase the limit on social gathering from five to 10 people effective June 12, 2020
• June 8: Ontario will permit no more than 30% of the building capacity for all places of worship effective June 12, 2020
• June 8: Albertans can access 20 million free, non-medical face masks
• June 8: New funding for Montreal's small business
• June 9: GC launched a new web hub on buying and supplying PPE [Web hub]
• June 9: GC announces the intention to provide up to $500,000 to support the safe reintegration of offenders 
• June 9: Ontario announces plans to reopen child care centres 
• June 10: GC announces financial support to the economy of Quebec's region [CED financial support for SADCs & CAEs]
• June 11: FedDev Ontario and partners assist Ontario businesses in embracing online commerce [Digital Main St.]
• June 11: GC releases further details of the Federal Gas Tax Fund allocations: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Yukon
• June 11: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada highlights the Supplementary Estimate (A) support by the government
• June 11: GC announces new funding of $133 million to support Indigenous business and Indigenous tourism industry
• June 11: Ontario announces the resumption of visits to long-term care homes, retirement homes and other residential care settings
• June 12: GC announces screening to be required for travellers at Canadian airports [Phased approach: Backgrounder]
• June 13: WHO is following up with Chinese authorities about a cluster of COVID-19 cases in Beijing, China

• June 15: Ontario announces more regions move into Stage 2 on June 19, 2020 with the exception of Toronto, Peel and Windsor-Essex
• June 15: City of Toronto releases a report on management of COVID-19 in its 10 long-term care homes [Full Report]
• June 16: Prime Minister announces extension of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) by eight weeks 
• June 16: Ontario extends emergency orders until June 30, 2020 
• June 17: GC and Ontario are investing up to $10 million in emergency assistance for beef and hog farmers
• June 17: Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund opens June 22, 2020 across the West [Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund]
• June 17: Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund reopens now [Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund]
• June 17: Prime Minister announces an economic and fiscal snapshot will be released on July 8
• June 17: Ontario pauses Commercial Evictions [Bill 192, Protecting Small Business Act]
• June 18: Prime Minister announces new mobile app to help notify Canadians of COVID-19 exposure
• June 18: Ontario enhances COVID-19 case and contact management including the Exposure Notification App
• June 19: Ontario releases School Safety Plan for the 2020-21 school year [Approach to reopening schools]
• June 21: WHO reports 183,020 new cases in the last 24 hours, the largest single-day increase
• June 22: Ontario announces moving Toronto and Peel region into Stage 2 on June 24, 2020
• June 23: GC announces extension of lay-off periods [Backgrounder]
• June 23: City of Toronto announces funds for community services for vulnerable populations
• June 24: Ontario announces reopening in Windsor-Essex with the exceptions of Leamington and Kingsville on June 25, 2020
• June 24: Ontario unveils three-point plan to reduce the risk of transmission on farm
• June 25: Canadian Institute for Health Information releases report: Long-term care and COVID-19: international comparisons

Check Media resources for the most up-to-date responses from the governemnts.

This page is a collection of government information related to COVID-19. It is a living document and will be updated as more resources are available. Please email samchin.li@utoronto.ca for correction, suggestions or addition.