As this is a rapidly evolving situation, AMPIA is urging individuals to stay abreast of the latest developments and advisories from the Government of Canada found HERE, the World Health Organization found HERE, as well as those from local government (HERE) and Health Authorities. For further up-to-date and trusted information on COVID-19 please follow:

• The Government of Alberta’s website HERE for detailed information on COVID-19, including travel advice and restrictions, and testing data.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)’s website HERE for the latest outbreak update on COVID-19.
• Call the Health Canada 2019 COVID-19 information line: 1-833-784-4397. Or email: phac.info.aspc@canada.ca
• Follow Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, on Twitter: @CPHO_Canada
• Learn more about the PHAC COVID-19 Preparedness Guide

Office Update: For the health and safety of our staff, the AMPIA team will be working remotely and the office will be closed until further notice. You can still reach us by either phone or email: (780) 944-0707 action@ampia.org

We are working to gather information from our public health officials and government to share with members, industry partners and stakeholders. We will continue to provide updates on AMPIA’s coming events and industry services regarding possible postponements and/or cancellations on our website.

Guidance for your business and workplace: As producers prepare for the potential impact of COVID-19 and examine ways to best protect both the health and safety of workplace parties and their businesses, please refer to THIS guidance document that contains a series of considerations that producers may choose to apply when putting their plans in place.

We’re also recommending you download THIS  fact sheet and post around your workplaces, which outlines the symptoms of COVID-19, how it is spread, how to limit infection, what to do if an individual is infected, and scenarios in which workers should contact the workplace prior to coming to work.

Industry Resources: Statements from our industry partners, as they become available.

• Canada Media Fund
• Canadian Media Producers Association 
• Telefilm Canada

Current guidance on COVID-19: The following provides the most current guidance on COVID-19, its symptoms, and ways by which to limit its spread.

Symptoms:  Symptoms of COVID-19 have included fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and tiredness. Other symptoms sometimes include aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. It may take up to 14 days after exposure to a person infected with COVID-19 for symptoms to appear. Symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are similar to a cold or flu.

How COVID-19 is spread:  People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can pass from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth that are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person and infect other people who touch those objects or surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also become infected by breathing in droplets from an individual with COVID-19 when that person coughs, sneezes or exhales droplets.

How to limit the spread of COVID-19:

• Stay home and self-isolate if you are sick, and contact your provincial public health authority or your healthcare provider to arrange for medical attention.
• Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or clean them with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue and dispose of tissues immediately.
• Stay at least 1 meter (or 3 feet) away from anyone coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid shaking hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.
• Review active travel health notices issued by the Government of Canada before travelling. A current list can be found HERE.

AMPIA will continue to provide timely updates on this issue as well as its activities and events as appropriate.

Be well and take care of yourself and your loved ones.

AMPIA