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UPDATES: Get ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic
By PLANT STAFF
Industry Manufacturing COVID-19 Events manufacturing virusWatch for coronavirus information, announcements, cancellations, postponements here.
![](https://www.plant.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/nCoV-CenterDiseaseControl23312-1020x1024.png)
A CDC computer rendering of SARS-CoV-2.
Image: CDC/ Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM, #23312.
PLANT Magazine will be adding information about COVID-19 to this list that includes event cancellations, other announcements and news. Updates will be noted by date. E-mail jterrett@plant.ca to add announcements, event cancellations to this list.
NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, CANCELLATIONS…
April 30
Ontario releases guidelines for manufacturers to reopen safely
They include holding team meetings outdoors, staggering shift times, using ground markings and barriers for traffic flow.
April 29
Got a business idea to help combat COVID-19?
Mitacs announces initiative to speed up application process and access to research talent for SMEs.
April 27
Maintain social distance on the plant floor with Social Distancer
Small wearable device sends three alerts when proximity is too close.
April 24
A resource from tax and advisory firm BDO Canada covering workforce and economic impact strategies, crisis and risk management, regulatory impairments and deadlines, tax implications and financial recovery.
APRIL 14
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources
A comprehensive resource for manufacturers with links to government information, and health and safety, business, member and government resources.
April 6
Ontario WSIB has you covered during COVID-19 pandemic
Options for manufacturers dealing with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board during the crisis.
April 4
March 26
More event cancellations, postponements…
International Conference on Robotics and Smart Manufacturing (Cancelled), March 30 – 31, 2020
Partners in Prevention 2020 Health and Safety Conference (Cancelled), April 28 – 29, 2020
Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show (MMTS) 2020 (Postponed), May 11 – 13, 2020
Future Aluminum Forum Industry 4.0 (Postponed until Dec.8-9), May 25 – 27, 2020
FABTECH Canada 2020 (Postponed until 2022), June 16 – 18, 2020
March 25
The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium is sharing COVID-19 member intel with all manufacturers through its Members Need Help forum.
CCOHS makes courses, publications available free to aid COVID-19 efforts
Reminds workplaces still operating to promote proper hygiene and social distancing.
March 24
Ontario’s essential businesses include manufacturing
Non-essential businesses must shutdown their workplaces by March 24 at 11:59 p.m.
March 23
Ontario mobilizing manufacturing to fight COVID-19
New website seeks ideas, solutions, innovations to ramp up production of needed coronavirus supplies.
Quebec to close non-essential businesses until April 13
COVID-19 cases spike, manufacturers of food and medical supplies among the essential.
Ontario ordering non-essential businesses to close
Begins March 24 at 11:59 p.m. and will be in place for at least 14 days.
March 18
Federal government announces $82 billion support package
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters has compiled a detailed breakdown.
Partners in Prevention 2020
Cancelled. The health and safety show was scheduled for April 28-29 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont. Presented by Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS).
March 17
Ford government declares COVID-19 emergency in Ontario
All public gathering spaces to shut down, more than $300 million to back up province’s efforts to contain the virus.
National Apprenticeship Conference
May 24-26 in Calgary
To be rescheduled. The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum is exploring a future date for the event.
March 16
Ontario introduces job protection measures for COVID-19
Proposed legislation would make it clear that an employee will not be required to provide a medical note if they take the leave.
Border ban for non-citizens
Canada is now denying entry to nearly everyone who isn’t a Canadian citizen or permanent resident but Americans are exempt from that ban. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the level of integration between Canada and the US is behind that decision. He says Canada and the US are co-ordinating closely.
Resist the urge to panic shop despite COVID-19 fears: Trudeau
No need to hoard, supply chains not affected by the tightening border restrictions around the world.
2020 Skills Ontario
Cancelled. Qualifying Competitions (April 4) and the 2020 Skills Ontario Competition (May 4-6).
“We will work with partners, school boards, stakeholders, and others to determine next steps to address the impact and find the best way forward to continue to promote skilled trades and technology careers to youth,” says SKills Ontario CEO Ian Howcroft.
Ontario hospitals asked to take a planned approach to ramping down elective surgeries
Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
The province is requesting that all hospitals further implement pandemic plans by carefully ramping down elective surgeries and other non-emergent clinical activity. In doing so, hospitals can preserve capacity as cases of COVID-19 continue to grow in Ontario. Daily provincial updates here.
March 12
Pandemic declared, feds eyeing ways to curb COVID-19 spread
The federal government rolled out a $1-billion package to help the country’s health-care system and economy cope with the novel coronavirus outbreak.
March 10
Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium
Coronavirus Advice: How Employers Can Protect Their Staff and Business