COVID-19 Updates & Resources

Last updated – July, 4, 2022

Latest News:

Worms and Germs Blog, Dr. Scott Weese, infectious disease control specialist at the University of Guelph:

Canadian Press Highlights OVC Research on COVID-19 and Pets – July 4, 2022

OVC Chief of Infection Control Makes International Headlines – Feb 10, 2022

Six Reasons Why Not to Steal Your Pet’s Ivermectin to Prevent or Treat COVID-19 – May 1, 2021

U of G prof recognized for making animals and vets safer during COVID – Jan. 27, 2021

Mini-podcasts on Covid-19 practices for veterinary clinics – Jan. 27, 2021

COVID-19 veterinary clinic contact guidelines: Updated for stage 3 – Aug. 24, 2020

Yes, your pets can get COVID: Signs to watch for -July 30th 2020

Confronting COVID-19 Myths – facebook webinar replay – June 19, 2020

Dr Scott Weese COVID 19 SARS CoV 2 Updates and Moving Forward – (1hr video) – General info on Covid-19 transmission, species to species transmission risk, protecting yourself including what mask to use, ‘the new normal’ in reopening veterinary practices (at 37 min), farm visits, clinic visitors, testing pets? – May 27, 2020

Another Mask Issue: N95s with Exhalation Valves – May 14, 2020

Occupational Exposure Risks with Covid-19 – various recommendations for managing COVID-19 risks in veterinary practice –  May 11, 2020

Looking towards expanding veterinary care during COVID-19: Ontario – May 6, 2020

What is considered urgent veterinary care? Ontario revised guidance document | Worms & Germs Blog – April, 18, 2020

Dr. Weese appeared on TVO’s The Agenda to talk about animal welfare during a pandemic (30 minute video) – April, 13, 2020

Dr. Weese appeared on DVM 360 to discuss how veterinary practices can help flatten the curve. April, 8, 2020

Coronaviruses Often Start in Animals — Here’s How Those Diseases Can Jump to Humans – April 2, 2020

Veterinary medicine, essential services and social distancing –posted Mar-24-2020

Latest Canadian statement on COVID-19 and animals  posted Mar-23-2020

COVID-19: What we don’t know (but that doesn’t mean we can’t do something) FAQ’s from pet owners    posted Mar-20-2020

SARS-CoV-2 Environmental Survival  posted March 18, 2020


Government & Health organizations:

World Health Organization

Health Canada

Covid 19 in Canada – U of G researchers help develop online COVID-19 tracker.

Online applications for the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will open on January 18, 2022

Ontario Providing Supports for Small Businesses, Workers and Families & pdf presentation – Jan, 7, 2022

COVID-19 public health measures and advice – What is open as of Jan. 5, 2022

Ontario announces modified step 2 on roadmap to reopen – Jan. 3, 2022

Ontario Supporting Horse Businesses Impacted by COVID-19. Investment will help keep animals safe and cover maintenance costs. Released by Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs – January 14, 2021

COVID-19 public health measures and advice – What is open as of Jan, 5, 2022

Ontario announces modified step 2 on roadmap to reopen – Jan, 3, 2022

COVID-19 and Animals FAQ’s FOR VETERINARIANS – Updated: March, 2021
Paper by a working group consisting of Canadian public health and animal health experts, with representation from federal and provincial/territorial governments, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and academia.

Saturday, May 16, 2020 The Office of Ontario Premier officially released: Ontario businesses that board animals, such as stables, MAY ALLOW boarders to visit, care for or ride their animal.
*Boarding facilities have much to do to ensure they are following recently released guidelines and to make their stables as safe as possible before opening. Please be patient and check in with your stable before making any assumptions on whether you can visit.

COVID-19 self-assessment posted by the Government of Ontario

Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000

Ontario Ministry of Health

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA WEBSITE: Canada.ca/coronavirus
Financial assistance, updates, health, safety, security, travel…

The Government of Canada’s COVID Alert app can let you know of possible exposures to the COVID-19 virus before any symptoms appear. By downloading the app, you can help protect yourself and our community.

Government of Canada Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Information for agricultural industry

Government Financial Assistance for Ontario Farmers Listed on Ontario Equestrian Website – April 5, 2020
Webinars for ON Coaches and Riding Facilities Apr 15, 16. Ontario Equestrian replays are available.

Government of Canada Economic Impact Plan
March 27, 2020 New announcement of new wage subsidies for qualifying small businesses.

Fed Dev Ontario – Resources for Canadian Businesses
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – supports businesses impacted by COVID-19 that have been unable to access other Government of Canada measures

The Ontario government passed the Employment Standards Amendment Act – to provide job-protected leave to employees in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19, or those who need to be away from work to care for children because of school or day care closures or to care for other relatives. Posted March 19, 2020 2:25 P.M.

CCOHS is offering a free 15-page guide to help you put a business continuity plan together.

Health and Safety Guidance for Agricultural Workers during COVID-19
by: Workplace Safety & Prevention Services | April 30, 2020

Ontario.ca/page/agriculture-and-food-jobs-ontario Job listings and resources for grocery retail, food processing, distribution, agriculture and agribusinesses. Agri-food sector is keeping our essential services functioning.

OFA – Ontario Federation of Agriculture – April 3, 2020
New financial assistance measures that may be relevant to Ontario farm businesses and other COVID-19 resources for farms

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) COVID prevention- public health guidance & links to key resources for the agriculture and agri-food sector.
Farmers to directly benefit from changes to Canada Emergency Business Account – May 19, 2020

Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) Covid-19 Guidance document– Interactions between animal health industry representatives and the Canadian customer base in the field- June 12, 2020

Cleaning Porous and Non-porous Surfaces – The Centre for Disease Control

Hard-surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers: List of disinfectants with evidence for use against COVID-19 – Canada.ca

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

COVID-19 Resources for Researchers
Two national COVID-19 research resources that are particularly useful to identify partners, reagents, etc.:
1) federally-sponsored CanCOVID resource.
2) national “grass roots” COVID-19 Resources Canada


Useful articles for horse industry members during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Application Deadline Monday May 2, 2022 by 4:00 PM for Funding from Provincial Government to Support Public Riding Stables in Ontario.

Health Canada warns people not to take livestock dewormers – Sept. 1, 2021

July 16, 2021, Ontario goes into reopening step 3. #Covid19  Update on these steps and what they mean from the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.  https://ontarioequestrian.ca/reopening-ontario-step-3/

Ontario Equestrian releases Competition Sanctioning Requirements – June 10, 2021

Researchers Find Benefits To Riding Center Lockdowns During COVID – May 13, 2021

OVC Prof Aims to Inform Public, Dispel Myths on COVID-19 Through ScienceExplained – April 21, 2021

Response of UK Horse, Pony and Donkey Owners to the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic – April 2021

COVID-19 Update for Equestrians Q&A with CapriCMW Insurance – Jan 21, 2021

World Horse Welfare updates Coronavirus advice for horse owners – Jan. 5, 2021

Ontario Equestrian sent an email to their members regarding lockdown. Equine facilities are urged to review Framework sections – Sports and recreational fitness facilities & Boarding kennels and stables. Equine operations are urged to direct specific questions about your region and its limitations, to local public health officials for further guidance. Nov 24-2020

Ontario Equestrian Covid-19 Statement & Resources:
FOR THE HERD – Emergency fund raiser for school horses
Coaches Financial Aid webinar
Facility Owner Financial Aid webinar
Ontario Equestrian GUIDE TO REOPENING EQUINE BUSINESS – May 11, 2020

Guidelines for summer camps in Ontario June 1, 2020 – Horse Camps get the go ahead in Revised Guidelines V2. – June 28, 2020.

Capri CMW Insurance
Return to Play Covid-19 Insurance Q & A – May 28, 2020
FAQ’s for Equestrians – Updated April 23, 2020
Mike King discusses insurance webinar – April 19, 2020

Equestrian Canada COVID-19 Resources Including Financial Resources, Travel Advisories, information for Canadian facilities, event cancellations weekly reports of Equestrian Canada’s Covid Response
Call or write your Member of Parliament and tell them you support Equestrian Canada’s appeal for emergency funding.
Support and resources for equine farms and equestrian facilities – Mar, 24.
Recording: Equestrian Canada National Equine Disease & Welfare Surveillance Call March 25, 2020
Equestrian Canada announces return to business operations framework for equine facilities – May, 4, 2020
Equestrian Canada announces Return to Competition Guidelines for the Sport Horse Following a Break in Training Due to COVID-19 – May 21, 2020

Quebec COVID-19 BIOSECURITY PROTOCOL for Equestrian Establishments -May 1, 2020

FEI Coronavirus (Covid-19) Advisory – International Equestrian Federation Coronavirus (Covid-19) advisories and FAQs
FEI Return to Play Policy for Enhanced Competition Safety during the Covid-19 Pandemic (effective for all FEI Events held as of 1 July 2020)

Notice regarding Recent Government and Other Communications Relevant to Members of Ontario Equestrian – March 24, 2020

Feeding Horses During Reduced Work – TheHorse.com – Mar 23, 2020 

Ontario Racing Task Force Notice to the Industry: Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan -March 23, 2020
AGCO Horse Racing Blog – return to racing notices – updated regularly

COVID-19: Caring for your horse during a pandemic  from Ontario Animal Health Network

Farriers working during COVID-19 – Ontario Animal Health Network

Food Systems in a Time of Disruption Impacts of COVID-19 on Food Access, Safety, Security, and Supply. Video: Safe Grocery Shopping – U of G Expert Dispels Myths.

How long can the virus that causes COVID-19 live on surfaces?  Johns Hopkins University  Mar. 20, 2020

College of Veterinarians of Ontario on COVID-19
If you don’t have a veterinarian, and require emergency veterinary services for your animal, please make use of the CVO Find a Veterinarian search tool

Online Wellness Resources to Help you Thrive in Uncertain Times – March 18th, 2020

National Farm and Facility Level Biosecurity standard for the Equine Sector

National Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines

Isolation Preparedness Checklist – University of Guelph

Are your horses ready for you to be quarantined? – TheHorse.com

Horse Owner Help During COVID-19 – TheHorse.com
Including article – Don’t take your horses dewormer!
& COVID-19 Resources for Equestrian Facilities in California
*Resources from USA- check local sources for local distancing regulations.

Equine Disease Communication Centre Includes handy barn infographic
*Resources from USA- check local sources for local distancing regulations.

American Association of Equine Practitioners AAEP
*Resource from USA- check local sources for local distancing regulations.

COVID-19 Advice from the AAEP Infectious Disease Committee
Advice for veterinarians and their clients

COVID-19 pandemic – Large Animal Emergency Rescue expert Dr. Rebecca Gimenez Husted, shares 6 things you can do to help – MARCH 18, 2020. *Resource from Austrailia- check local sources for local distancing regulations.

Self-employed, contract workers seek EI in wake of COVID-19 layoffs – CBC- Mar, 18, 2020

University of Guelph Infosec Blog – COVID 19: Stay Calm and Don’t Get Scammed


Equine Guelph’s Resources for Equine Health & Biosecurity:

Equine Guelph HEALTHflash Alert – COVID-19 – Caring for your horse during a pandemic

Equine Guelph’s Biosecurity Calculator- free online healthcare tool

Equine Guelph’s Sickness Prevention online short course

Equine Guelph’s Health & Disease 12-week online course