MCIS COVID-19 Response

COVID-19 Vaccines for Ontario

COVID-19 Communication Resources

• 09-29-2021: What Canadians can expect from COVID-19 this fall and winter
• 09-28-2021: Health minister expects Pfizer submission for kid’s COVID-19 vaccine in October
• 09-23-2021: Minimal increase in international travel to Canada since fully vaxxed welcomed
• 08-13-2021: Canada Will Require All Air Travelers To Be Vaccinated In A Broad New Policy
• 08-25-2021: Vaccines not enough to stop fourth wave of COVID-19 in Canada, experts warns
• 08-26-2021: Federal COVID-19 briefings stopped during election, sources say. Experts concerned
• 2021-08-10: Moderna to build mRNA production plant in Canada within two years
• 2021-08-09: Canada Opens Its Land Border For Vaccinated American Visitors. The U.S. Stays Shut
• 2021-08-06: Health Canada updates Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine label to reflect very rare reports of Bell’s Palsy
• 2021-08-04: Toronto Morning Headlines: Ontario releases back-to-school plan, Canadians polled say worst of COVID-19 yet to come
• 2021-08-03: Canadian Medical Association, nurses association call for mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for health-care workers
• 2021-07-30: Today’s coronavirus news: Feds warn of fourth COVID-19 wave, driven by Delta variant, if reopening occurs before enough people are vaccinated; travelers from U.S. fined for fake vaccination documents
• 2021-07-30: More support for Canadian families
• 2021-07-27: CDC Updates guidance, recommends vaccinated people wear masks indoors, in certain areas
• 2021-07-27: Canada reaches major vaccine campaign milestone
• 2021-07-26: Coronavirus Update: Delta variant changing what we think we know about COVID-19
• 2021-07-25: Child care centres, parents call for updates to COVID-19 rules in Ontario
• 2021-07-21: Delta variant drives surge in coronavirus cases worldwide, WHO warns
• 2021-07-20: Government of Canada funds three new projects to encourage COVID-19 vaccination in Canada
• 2021-07-19: Fully vaccinated tourists will soon be able to visit Canada again
• 2021-07-19: Canada will let fully vaccinated American travellers into country on Aug. 9 others on Sept. 7
• 2021-07-19: Employment Insurance consultations to be launched later this summer
• 2021-07-19: International students and travel to Canada
• 2021-07-14: Some countries defend mixing vaccines after WHO suggests booster strategy is “chaotic”
• 2021-07-14: Federal Government delivers $5 billion in pandemic support to provinces and territories for vaccines and health care
• 2021-07-13: Lambda variant in Canada: Where is it and will it become a variant of concern?
• 2021-07-13: Vaccine passports: Where and how could they be used in Canada?
• 2021-07-09: Ontario to enter Step 3 of COVID-19 reopening plan on July 16, days earlier than expected
• 2021-07-08: WHO sounds alarm as global deaths top 4 million, delta spreads to 100 countries
• 2021-07-07: Spread of delta variant raises stakes for vaccination
• 2021-07-05: The Lambda COVID-19 variant: What do we know about it? 
• 2021-07-02: A double-dosed Trudeau says Canada set to fully vaccinate all eligible by the end of summer
• 2021-07-02: Today’s coronavirus news: Delta variant exploits low vaccines rates, easing of rules around globe; India virus death toll tops 400,000 experts say it’s higher
• 2021-06-30: Health Canada updates Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine labels to include rare side effects
  2021-06-30: Moderna says vaccine works against delta variant, as WHO warns of global spread
• 2021-06-30: Government of Canada COVID-19 update for Indigenous Peoples and communities, week of June 28th
• 2021-06-30: Prime Minister announces measures to advance gender equality worldwide
• 2021-06-24: Ontario’s top doctor to give update on province’s COVID-19 response
• 2021-06-24: Here’s what to know about relaxed travel rules for fully vaccinated Canadians
• 2021-06-23: Ontario to move into next phase of COVID-19 reopening 2 days early, sources say
• 2021-06-22: Trudeau hopeful more border updates ‘in coming weeks’
• 2021-06-21: Backgrounder: Phase 1 of easing border measures for travellers entering Canada
• 2021-06-21: Individuals approved for permanent residence may travel to Canada as of June 21
• 2021-06-17: Ontario adds more regions to Delta hot spot list, accelerates second-dose eligibility
• 2021-06-17: All adults in Ontario to be eligible for 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine by June 28, province says
• 2021-06-16: Toronto General Surgical ICU COVID-free for the 1st time since March 2020
• 2021-06-16: COVID-19 Updates for Canada’s universities
• 2021-06-16: Ontario sets new vaccination record, reports fewer than 400 new COVID-19 cases
• 2021-06-16: Ontario tops 200,000 COVID-19 vaccines in 24 hours as provincial borders reopen
• 2021-06-10: Ontario will begin accelerating second COVID-19 vaccine doses in 7 delta variant hot spots
• 2021-06-10: Ontario to release updated COVID-19 projections as it prepares to enter step one of reopening plan 
• 2021-06-08: Easing of border restrictions to apply to those fully vaccinated: Trudeau
• 2021-05-20: Ontario Releases Three-Step Roadmap to Safely Reopen the Province
• 2021-06-03: Ontario eases restrictions on long-term care residents, updates guidance to allow vaccine mixing
• 2021-06-02: Government of Canada Announces Details of the New Canada Recovery Hiring Program and Extension of Business Support Programs
• 2021-06-02: Ontario won’t reopen schools for in-person learning this spring, Ford announces
• 2021-06-01: Ontario’s stay-at-home order set to expire but most COVID-19 restrictions to remain in place
• 2021-05-28: Ontario shortens COVID-19 2nd-dose interval, aims to have youth vaccinated before Sept.
• 2021-05-27: Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada on May 27, 2021
• 2021-05-27: Coronavirus: What’s happening in Canada and around the world on Thursday
• 2021-05-27: York Region says it’s been given ‘heads up’ by Ontario to shorten 2^nddose interval
• 2021-05-27: At current rates: when will most Canadians be fully vaccinated against COVID-19?
• 2021-05-26: COVID-19 information and resources: reducing your risk for infection and spreading the virus
• 2021-05-26: Why is Ontario’s COVID-19 reopening plan timeline slower than other provinces?
• 2021-05-21: Government of Canada extends quarantine measures and travel restrictions
• 2021-05-20: Today’s coronavirus news: Ontario reopening starts Saturday, with gold, tennis, basketball; schools stay closed, most things to open by August
• 2021-05-20: Ontario government set to unveil gradual COVID-19 reopening plan for province
• 2021-05-20: Canadian study to investigate mix-and-match COVID-19 vaccines
• 2021-05-19: Canada’s privacy commissioners issue guidance as country mulls COVID-19 vaccine passports
• 2021-05-19: COVID-19 information and resources: reducing your risk for infection and spreading the virus
• 2021-05-19: Ontario reports lowest daily COVID-19 case count since late March
• 2021-05-13: Doug Ford extends Ontario’s stay-at-home order until June 2
• 2021-05-12: Ontario will no longer give AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as 1^st dose due to blood clot risk 
• 2021-05-12: Ontario stops increased vaccine supply Toronto hot spots as city officials urge province to reconsider
• 2021-05-12: Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada on May 12, 2021 
• 2021-05-07: Minister Miller talks about mental wellness during the pandemic
• 2021-05-06: Children aged 12-15 in Guelph can pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccine
• 2021-05-05: Ontario expects 65% of adults to have first COVID-19 vaccine does by end of May
• 2021-05-05: Health Canada authorizes use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children 12 to 15 years of age 
• 2021-05-05: Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada on May 5, 2021
• 2021-04-29: COVID-19: Ontario to provide update on vaccine rollout Thursday
• 2021-04-29: Government of Canada funds two new projects to encourage vaccine uptake in Canada
• 2021-04-28: The Ontario government will offer workers in the province who need time off due to COVID-19 will be eligible to receive up to three paid sick days as part of a temporary provincial program that ends in September.
• 2021-04-27: Coronavirus: What’s happening in Canada and around the world on April 26
• 2021-04-21: Toronto to triple COVID-19 Vaccine doses in 13 hot spot zones
• 2021-04-20: These 20 Ontario pharmacies will administer COVID-19 vaccines 24/7 
• 2021-04-19: Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, Resilience
• 2021-04-19: Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada
• 2021-04-16: Government of Canada COVID-19 Update for Indigenous Peoples and communities
• 2021-04-15: COVID-19 How to Get Vaccinated
• 2020-09-26: Government of Canada launches recovery benefits as CERB comes to an end.
• 2020-07-01: MCIS has resumed the provision of in-person interpretation services as of July 1, 2020.
• 2020-04-23: MCIS extends suspension of in-person interpretation services to June 30, 2020.
• 2020-04-15: Government of Canada announces CERB benefit for those who earn $1,000 or less for 14 or more consecutive days within the four-week period of the claim.
• 2020-03-27: Government of Canada announces measures to support self-employed contractors affected by COVID-19.
• 2020-03-25: MCIS suspends in-person interpretation services from March 30 to April 30, 2020.
• 2020-03-25: Government of Canada mandates an immediate 14-day isolation quarantine for all Canadians returning to Canada as of 11:59 p.m. on March 25.
• 2020-03-23: City of Toronto declares a state of emergency
• 2020-03-23: Ontario orders non-essential workplaces to close.
• 2020-03-20: Manitoba declares state of emergency in response to COVID-19.
• 2020-03-18: Canada advises against all non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.
• 2020-03-17: Ontario and Alberta declare states of emergency in response to COVID-19.
• 2020-03-17: Canada closes border to non-citizens and non-PRs.
• 2020-03-11: WHO declares COVID-19 a global pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting lives across Canada and around the world. It is now more important than ever that non-English speaking communities have access to critical information about COVID-19 so they can keep themselves safe and healthy, so that everyone can work together to beat this pandemic. At MCIS, we do not want cost to be a barrier preventing people from having access to critical information in their language.For this reason, we have created a fund to assist organizations that are working hard to support these communities. We are offering a free interpretation phone line for COVID-19 related conversations and making it available to eligible SPs and partners. In addition,  we are offering free and subsidized translation services for COVID-19 related materials. If you need either of these services and cannot afford the regular cost, please use the buttons below to access the application forms.

As concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak continue to rise, we would like to assure everyone that the health and safety of our clients, employees and freelance professionals is of utmost concern to MCIS. We are working equally hard to also ensure service continuity while keeping our interpreters safe and contributing to the collective effort to #FlattenTheCurve. In response to feedback from customers and information available from public health authorities, MCIS is extending the suspension of in-person interpretation services from May 1 to June 30, 2020. Exceptions will only be made for critical cases.

All our other services are available, including immediate and scheduled telephone interpretation, as well as HIPAA-compliant, secure scheduled video interpretation. We encourage our customers to explore these as alternative options to replace face-to-face appointments.

We are monitoring all information provided by public health authorities and following official guidelines to minimize risks to all parties, including our customers, freelancers and staff. As the situation is rapidly changing, we are adapting as promptly as possible, so please monitor this page often for the latest updates.

We thank you for your continued to support in ensuring that we work together to ensure the safety of our customers, interpreters and staff.

And as part of our contribution to the COVID-19 situation, MCIS has collected multilingual resources on COVID-19 in a wide range of languages. Some of the materials were translated by us, others were kindly shared by our customers and partners. If you or someone you know needs access to COVID-19 information in other languages, please refer to the list of languages on this page. We encourage you to share them widely.

In addition, we have created responses specific to our customers and our language professionals. Please refer to the buttons on this page for this information.

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