Guide to COVID-19 Helplines

Learn about the federal and provincial helplines you can call to seek medical information and support for government services.

Please note that all helplines are staffed by English speakers, but language interpretation services are available. See our step-by-step guide below on how to request language interpretation services.

See our Printable Resources for a shorter, printable guide to the helplines.

Medical helplines

8-1-1

  • Call for COVID-19 health information and health advice.
  • Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Supports over 130 languages.
  • Call 7-1-1 if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired.

9-1-1

  • Call immediately if you have a life-threatening emergency, chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding.
  • Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Supports many languages.

Non-medical helplines

1-888-COVID19 (BC only)

  • Call for the latest information on COVID-19 and information on support and resources from provincial and federal governments.
  • Available 7:30am to 8:00pm, 7 days a week.
  • Supports over 110 languages

How do I request help in my language, and what can I expect?

  1. When you call this line, the main menu will be English. The person on the line will ask if you have a medical matter or non-medical matter.
    • If it’s a medical matter, please say: “Medical please.”
      • If it is an emergency you need to hang up and call 911.
      • If not, please stay on the line and wait. You must have your Care Card or BC Service Card ready.
    • If it’s a non medical matter, please say: “Non medical please.”
    • You can then ask to request your language:
      • For Mandarin: “Mandarin speaking only, no English.”
      • For Cantonese: “Cantonese speaking only, no English.”
      • For Vietnamese: “Vietnamese speaking only, no English.”
      • For Tagalog: “Tagalog or Filipino speaking only, no English.”
  2. You will wait while the person on the phone searches for a language interpreter. Once the interpreter comes on, they will translate the conversation between you and the English speaker.

2-1-1 (United Way, BC only)

  • Call for information on financial assistance or income support, legal aid services, temporary financial relief services, system navigation for child and family services, and accessing home support.
  • Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Supports many languages.

How do I request for help in my language, and what can I expect?

  1. When you call this line, the menu is only in English.
    • Dial ‘1’: If you are a senior needing non-medical help or a volunteer to supporting seniors in their community.
    • Dial ‘2’: Non Medical information regarding COVID-19
    • Dial ‘3’: Other special services / help / government resources.
    • You have to select and option, otherwise the line will be dropped.
  2. Please wait until someone picks up.
    • The person on the other end of the line only speaks English. You must ask for an interpreter. Please say: “Interpreter please.”
    • They will ask you for which language. They will put you on hold until they can find an interpreter.
      • For Mandarin: “Mandarin speaking.”
      • For Cantonese: “Hong Kong, Cantonese speaking.”
      • For Vietnamese: “Vietnamese speaking only.”
      • For Tagalog: “Tagalog speaking.”
  3. You will wait while the person on the phone searches for a language interpreter. Once the interpreter comes on, they will translate the conversation between you and the English speaker.

1-833-784-4397 (Canada wide)

  • Call for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19.
  • Toll-free number.

How do I request for help in my language, and what can I expect?

  1. When you call this line, the main menu will let you select between 1 for an English-speaking person or 2 for a French-speaking person. Dial 1.
  2. They will be providing current information at this point, but it is all in English. Please stay on the line and wait. The line will connect you with a person soon.
  3. You must ask them for an interpreter. Please say: “Interpreter please.”
    • You can then ask to request your language:
      • For Mandarin: “Mandarin speaking.”
      • For Cantonese: “Hong Kong, Cantonese speaking.”
      • For Vietnamese: “Vietnamese speaking only.”
      • For Tagalog: “Tagalog speaking.”
  4. You will wait while the person on the phone searches for a language interpreter. Once the interpreter comes on, they will translate the conversation between you and the English speaker.

Christa Yeung