COVID-19 and the Heritage Sector

Find resources for the heritage sector

A Compendium of Tips and Information for Governance, Management and NFP Operations

A Compendium of Tips and Information for Self-Care and Workplace Mental Health

COVID-19 Financial Resources for BC Not-for-Profits: Employers and Workers

 

A message from BC Museums Association and Heritage BC:

As communities across British Columbia follow news on the global spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the BC Museums Association and Heritage BC would like to direct members to relevant information and resources. These resources are not to be taken as legal advice or definitive answers to the challenges facing our sector, but rather as links to trusted sources of information from official government channels. We urge all members to look to local, provincial, and federal levels of government for information and best practices to help safeguard our communities’ wellbeing. The situation has been changing rapidly and it is important to seek up-to-date information from reliable sources.

This is a time for all of us to reflect on the meaning of heritage: it is about what matters, and it is about the stories that connects us. Ultimately, it is about all people, their communities, and our humanity. It is for those reasons that we must choose to self-educate and share credible sources, as we help our communities in choosing empathy and compassion. As custodians of history and heritage, we know what history has to teach us and we have a responsibility to educate against harmful misconceptions and prejudiced ideas and acts.

The following is information is assembled on March 13, 2020. It is important that you refer to authoritative sources and rely on up-to-date science-based information.

Currently, provincial health officials recommend the following containment measures (source):

• Event organizers cancel any gathering in British Columbia larger than 250 people.
• Canadians are to avoid all non-essential travel outside Canada, including to the US. Anyone who chooses to travel outside Canada should stay away from work or school for 14 days on their return.
• Workplaces should start thinking about social distancing measures.

 Provincial Resources:

• BC Centre for Disease Control (also follow them on Twitter @CDCofBC for the latest updates)
• Government of BC’s Joint statement on update on new and existing COVID-19 cases in B.C.
• BC Public Health Alerts
• Vancouver Coastal Health
• BC Government News Updates

 Federal Resources: 

• Risk-informed decision-making for mass gatherings during COVID-19 global outbreak
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Prevention and risks
• For any questions, call the Health Canada COVID-19 information line: 1-833-784-4397, or email:[email protected]
• Statement from the Federal Minister of Canadian Heritage regarding COVID-19 and cultural events

Workplace Advice for Employers (Considerations, contingency planning)

• Government of Canada:  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/being-prepared.html#a5
• The Ontario Nonprofit Network: https://theonn.ca/nonprofits-on-the-front-lines-of-covid-19/?mc_cid=0339c78e84&mc_eid=0b6f973a44
• Chartered Professionals in HR Of BC & Yukon: https://cphrbc.ca/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-canadian-employers/
• World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/getting-workplace-ready-for-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=359a81e7_6

 Updates: Employment Insurance Benefits and Other Measures

• Prime Ministers Office: News Release March 11, 2020
  • Provide support to workers in quarantine or who have been directed to self-isolate who will claim Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits by waiving the mandatory one-week waiting period so they can be paid for the first week of their claim. We are exploring additional measures to support other affected Canadians, including income support for those who are not eligible for EI sickness benefits.
  • https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/03/11/prime-minister-outlines-canadas-covid-19-response
• National Post: How EI benefits for COVID-19 quarantines will work: https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/how-ei-benefits-for-covid-19-quarantines-will-work

 Resources and Responses from BC NFP Organizations

• Vantage Point bulletin: A message from the team on COVID-19: https://us5.campaign-archive.com/?u=76223077ab35cc1b6697eadc0&id=22cffd818b
• BC Alliance of Arts + Culture: https://www.allianceforarts.com/blog/2020/3/13/information-on-covid-19-for-artistsarts-and-culture-workers

 Other Useful Resources 

• Government of Canada, Public Health Agency
• Government of Canada, Awareness Resources
• Government of Canada, Travel Notices
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• World Health Organization – Getting your Workplace Ready for COVID-19
• World Health Organization Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak

Statements from Provincial and Territorial Museum Associations:

• Canadian Museum Association
• Museums Association of Saskatchewan
• Ontario Museums Association

For best practices exploring personal preparedness, preparing for public gatherings, collections/facilities care, and human resources & business continuity planning, the Ontario Museums Association and the American Alliance of Museums have both created significant compilations of existing resources.