Covid-19 Multilingual Resources for Immigrants and Service Providers

This page provides accurate, reliable and up-to-date COVID-19 resources to our local diverse communities and service providers in many languages. It includes multilingual resources developed by local and community organizations, the Region of Waterloo Public Health, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Ontario Government.

Many newcomers have been deeply affected by the pandemic and have had difficulty accessing reliable information on COVID-19 due to language barriers. Please reach out to the newcomers around you to make sure they are OK and have the information they need to stay healthy and connected.

Recent Update

Covid-19 Variant Multilingual Resources

Covid-19 Vaccine Resources
  • "Vaccines Explained Series" in Multiple Languages. WHO's 'Vaccine Explained' series features illustrated articles on vaccine development and distribution: from how they work and how they’re made to ensuring safety and equitable access. Available in 6 languages: English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Greek, and Spanish.
  • The second Covid-19 Vaccine Bulletin is now available in 12 LANGUAGES explaining how we got the vaccines so fast! This bulletin is a collaboration between Refugee 613, Women’s College Hospital, the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants and TAIBU Community Health Centre. See it in Français (French), العربية (Arabic), ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ (Punjabi), Español Spanish), 中文 (简体) (Simplified Chinese), اردو (Urdu) and other languages.
How to Safely Use a Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering 

How to Prevent the Spread of Covid-19 and Get Infected

Resources and Supports for Children and Families

Local COVID-19 Resources and Supports for Children and Families

Community organizations and groups across Waterloo Region are working together to help children, youth and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. We know this is a challenging time! Visit the Family Compass Website to find resources, services, programs and supports in multiples languages. It is updated regularly and it can be accessed by going to www.familycompasswr.ca and clicking on the COVID-19 Response Pop-Up Link. Resources and supports are organized under these topics:

  • Basic Needs
  • Mental & Emotional Health
  • Safety
  • Respite & Relief
  • Financial Supports
  • People You Can Talk To
  • Resources for Adults
  • Stuff for Kids & Teens
  • Fun
  • Learning
  • Governmental Resources
  • Community Connectedness
  • Get Moving

This message is available in Français (French), العربية (Arabic), Español (Spanish), ትግርኛ (Tigrinya), فارسی (Farsi), Soomaali (Somali), አማርኛ (Amharic), српски (Serbian), 中文 (简体) (Simplified Chinese) and Português (Portuguese).

 

Other Resources for Children and Parents

  • Explaining Coronavirus to Kids. If you're a parent wondering how to talk to your kids about the coronavirus, here's a video that'll help start the conversation.

  • COVID-19 Health Literacy Project - Get fact sheets in over 30 languages on COVID-19 for immigrants, refugees and newcomers developed by a huge team of medicine students and physicians. It contains infographics about the virus geared toward kids of all ages. 
Resources for Different Economic Sectors
Mental Health Resources
Translation Tool

 This website has a built in tool that can translate any webpage on this site into one of over 90 languages. 

 To use the translation tool:

  • Go to the top of this page
  • Look for the "Translate" button located to the left of the "What are you looking for?" search box. 
  • Click the "Translate" button and select one of over 90 languages from the drop down menu.
  • This translates the website into the language you select. 
  • Video: "How to use the Google Translate feature"

Note: This feature does not extend to PDF downloads or other websites we link to for more information.
Covid-19 Resource Line
  • Region of Waterloo Public Health (519-575-4400) - interpretation services are available in multiple languages, or email regionalinquiries@regionofwaterloo.ca.
  • Call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007)
    • information is available in more than 300 languages
    • this line is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week
    • you may have to wait for an agent when call volumes are high
  • Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000) - interpretation services are available in multiple languages.
More Resources

More information can be found in the Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly emails such as the latest service updates from our community partners, relevant measures or changes to legislation due to COVID-19 outbreak, ways to help amid the crisis and webinars on important topics to manage the pandemic consequences, social distancing, financial issues and others. Subscribe to the Weekly for updates delivered to your email inbox each Monday.

Sources of Information on Covid-19 and Immigration in Canada, Community Supports, Government Assistance, Covid-19 Development and Vaccination Process 

Covid-19 and Immigration in Canada
Visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for the latest measures or changes on Immigration legislation in Canada.
Local Organization Updates and Resources for Supporting Immigrants
  • The YMCA language assessment centre is doing online language assessments. New clients can call to book an appointment. YMCA school settlement workers are available and continue to serve clients remotely.
  • In Cambridge, the YMCA is providing interpretation services remotely (phone or videoconferencing) in Cambridge and area. Languages include: Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, Persian, Dari, Pashto, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish. If you require an interpreter email interpretations@ckw.ymca.ca.
 Stay Informed about Covid-19 and Government Assistance
  • Visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website for information about COVID-19, how to prevent the spread of the virus, travel restrictions, and updates about Canada’s response.
  • Visit the Government of Canada website for up-to-date facts and current situation of the COVID-19 outbreak in Canada, as well as government support for individuals, businesses, families, students and industries during the crisis.
Covid-19 Business Supports and Resources 
 

Greater KW Chamber of Commerce

Communitech

  • Communitech has information about COVID-19-related program supports for businesses, stories of how local businesses are making a difference during this pandemic, tips for working effectively from home, and how local firms can access help.

Waterloo Region Small Business Centre

Toronto Region Board of Trade

  • The Toronto Region Board of Trade, along with their partners, have launched a Business Support Portal that provides businesses with resources and advice featuring the ability to chat live with a business agent for direction, searchable information on resources and programs available to SMEs, Toronto Region Board of Trade virtual events, and current public health information. This resource is available to our local business community to access.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce

**Subscribe to this page below to receive updates as they are made. If you have any suggestions or questions about the resources on this page or implications of recent changes for immigrants and those supporting them, contact us at the Immigration Partnership or email ImmigrationPartnership@regionofwaterloo.ca.

 

Contacts