The COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant provides fully funded grants to businesses that had to close due to the December 22, 2021 Provincial Health Officer (PHO) orders.
- How the grant works
- Determine your eligibility
- What you need to apply
- Available funding
- Submit your application
- Translated information​
HOW THE GRANT WORKSGrants of $1,000 to $10,000 are available to for-profit businesses that have fully closed as a result of the December 22, 2021 Provincial Health Officer orders.
Applications will stay open until the end of February, or until all funding is committed.
The grant can be used to cover expenses like rent, insurance, employee wages, maintenance and utilities.
Businesses that receive grant funding may be contacted for information and documentation about their application and how they used their funding.
DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITYReview the criteria to determine if your business is eligible for the program.
Not-for-profit organizations and businesses that support or provide services for closed businesses are not eligible.
Eligible businessesBusinesses must meet the following requirements to be eligible:
- The business has been in operation and registered in B.C. as of November 1, 2021
- The business location had to fully close to comply with the December 22, 2021 Provincial Health Officer orders. Examples of businesses ordered to closed include:
- Bars, nightclubs and lounges that do not serve full meals
- Pilates and yoga studios
- Barre, spin and adult dance studios
- Gyms offering indoor high or low intensity group exercise classes
- Event venues that can no longer hold events due to cancellations
Multiple locationsThe COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant is available to businesses that had multiple locations closed as a result of the December 22, 2021 PHO orders.
Each location is eligible to receive a grant. Applicants will have to submit a new application for each business location separately and declare the total number of locations they are applying for.
WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLYWhen you apply, you’ll be asked to confirm:
- Your business had to fully close to comply with the December 22, 2021 PHO orders
- You are registered as a B.C. business (as of November 1, 2021)
- Your business has majority ownership in B.C.
- Your business is located in and conducting business in B.C
- You pay taxes in B.C. and are up to date with payments
- Your business has and will continue to follow all PHO orders
Upload required documentationFor businesses that have received either a Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery or Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant, you will be asked to confirm your application and may not need to upload further documentation.
For new applicants, you need to verify your business information by uploading one of the following documents (uploaded document must be from 2020 or newer):
- Income tax notice of assessment
- Business licence
- Statement of business registration
- Liquor licence
- Insurance policy
- Lease agreement
You will also need to submit direct deposit information.
AVAILABLE FUNDINGGrants are fully funded and do not have to be paid back unless the business is not following PHO orders or the funds are misused. You can use the grant for expenses like:
- Rent and utilities
- Insurance
- Maintenance
- Employee wages
The grant can not be used for:
- Personal expenses
- Payments to family members
- Bonuses
- Dividends
- Paying down debt
- Payments related to illegal activities
The funding amount for each business is based how many B.C. employees or contracted staff they had at the time of closure.