COVID-19 Updates

If you haven’t been vaccinated yet or if it’s been more than 28 days since your first dose, book your appointment and get protected from COVID-19.

Book your appointment

Effective March 11, 2022: Face coverings order: Face coverings will be optional for people in all indoor public settings. People may want to continue wearing a mask based on personal choice. Individual businesses and organizations can choose to continue to require mask wearing on their premises.  

View the Province of BC current health restrictions

View the current list of indoor facilities and outdoor amenities that have re-opened, and the safety measures in place.

On December 4, 2020 the Provincial Health Officer issued an amended Gathering and Events Order, expressly prohibiting public attendance at local government meetings and public hearings. Meetings will be web streamed live and then archived online at abbotsford.ca/watchcouncilonline. 

Walk In Services:

• Building Permit Counter (1st Floor)
• Cashiers (1st Floor)
• Business Licences (1st Floor)
• Planning & Development Services (2nd Floor) 
• Parks, Recreation & Culture (3rd Floor)
• Engineering (4th Floor)

Appointment Only:

Appointments are still required for the City Clerk’s Office (5th Floor): 604-864-5506

View the Parks, Recreation & Culture webpage for full details on updated facilities hours and what activities and programs we have available for the Spring.

Parks, Recreation & Culture

• In Abbotsford, Fraser Health, as the provincial health authority, is the entity with the authority to enforce Public Health Orders, such as the implementation of vaccine cards. Fraser Health’s Abbotsford Health Protection Office can be contacted at 604-587-3936 or by email foodsafe@fraserhealth.ca to report businesses that are not adhering to Public Health Orders. 
• The Abbotsford Police Department will only be responding to matters that require an immediate response to address a public safety concern. 
• The City, through its Bylaw Division, is supporting Fraser Health to ensure that businesses are educated with regard to the Public Health Orders that are in place.
• Under the Provincial Public Health Orders, City of Abbotsford bylaw officers do not have the authority to enforce public health orders and issue associated fines.
• If you need further information on the provincial directive, visit Fraser Health’s website. In addition, if people have health concerns, they should call 8-1-1. If they have non-medical questions, they can call 1-888-COVID19 or text 604-630-0300 from 7:30am-8pm.
• For general information about social distancing and self-isolation call: 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319).

For reporting concerns after hours, please call the Abbotsford Police non emergency line at 604-859-5225.

• Current Public Health Orders
• BC Vaccine Card
• Gatherings and Events
• BC’s Travel Restrictions

• BC Centre for Disease Control
• Health Link BC
• Fraser Health Authority
• Pubic Health Agency of Canada
• World Health Organization

A new Emergency Response Centre (ERC) will be opening in Abbotsford to support vulnerable individuals with support from BC Housing and Fraser Health. The Centre will be operated by Lookout Housing & Health Society at the Bakerview Mennonite Brethren Church (Clearbrook Road) and individuals will be referred and supported through Fraser Health. This centre is closed to the public and already provides numerous supports such as mobile showers initiative and weekly meal service.

As an emergency shelter this site will allow for increased isolation spaces that follow physical distancing. Fraser Health will also be providing support to the centre through their Integrated Response Team. This is an interdisciplinary team that supports people along the referral process and with addressing their health care needs at the site.

The team is able to connect people at the emergency response centre with primary care, cultural supports, harm reduction and overdose prevention services, psychiatry and addiction medicine through virtual health, and if Home Health support is required, they help arrange it as needed.

This ERC is part of the Abbotsford Homelessness Prevention and Response System; a network that was developed and implemented in collaboration with senior levels of government, local service providers and community organizations. 

View Media Release

Government of Canada

Direct financial support

• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) - A taxable benefit providing $2,000 a month for up to four months for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Expanded EI assistance, and other measures to assist employers and workers
• Canada Revenue Agency  - Temporary wage subsidy, deferral of business taxes and other measures. 
• Business Credit Availability Program
• Business Wage Subsidy
• More Time to Pay Taxes

Access to capital

• Business Development Bank of Canada Special Support Initiative - A variety of finance measures designed to increase cash flow. 
• Export Development Canada Business Credit Availability Program 

Other programs

• Work-Sharing Program  - Provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while employer recovers
• Western Economic Diversification 
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Insured Mortgage Purchase Program 
• Procurement opportunities for Canadian manufacturers - The Government of Canada is calling businesses able to assist in combating COVID-19 to action.

Province of BC

The Province of BC has introduced a variety of measures, including extension of tax filing and payment deadlines, unpaid job-protected leave for sick employees, and a BC Emergency Benefit for Workers of $1000 for British Columbians (EI-eligible and non-EI eligible) whose ability to work has been impacted by COVID-19.

• COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information (BC Government)
• BC Emergency Benefit for Workers
• ICBC Insurance Payment Plan Deferral Information
• Rental Housing Supplement (BC Housing)
• BC Hydro Customer Relief – 3 month payment relief program – Apply online on the BC Hydro website

View the list of business resources, support and open businesses in Abbotsford.