With most business shut down, employees either laid off or working from home, and the country – and indeed the world – encountering an unprecedented period of self isolation and social distancing, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Although the global COVID-19 pandemic has led to a time of uncertainty and anxiety, one message rings clear: We’re all in this together.

In Victoria, mixed with stories of desperation are those of heartwarming hope and positivity, of people helping their loved ones and their neighbours survive this outbreak.

We featured one such extraordinary story earlier, in which two local businesses are combining their efforts and resources to provide free hand sanitizers to those working on the front lines to curb the spread of novel coronavirus.

But they’re not the only ones.

Despite hardships faced by local businesses having to shut down their physical storefronts in compliance with the provincial health order, many are choosing to keep going any way they can.

In doing so, these workers are providing services that we all crave, from take out food to grocery deliveries to at-home workouts.

Without further ado, here’s a list of Greater Victoria businesses stepping up to the plate in their fight against COVID-19:

Food/beverage businesses offering special delivery/take-out options:

Other retail businesses offering delivery/pick-up options:

Munro Books offers online shopping and free shipping for orders over $75 pre GST.

offers online shopping and free shipping for orders over $75 pre GST. Russell Books is still providing great books to our community through a contact-free pick up window. Please phone 250-361-4447 or e-mail request@russellbooks.com for more information. They will also continue our shipping service and can offer free shipping on orders over $50 to most places in North America (on orders placed over the phone or on theirwebsite).

is still providing great books to our community through a contact-free pick up window. Please phone 250-361-4447 or e-mail request@russellbooks.com for more information. They will also continue our shipping service and can offer free shipping on orders over $50 to most places in North America (on orders placed over the phone or on theirwebsite). Get Joni delivers period products with free shipping, and for every item purchased, they donate the same item.

delivers period products with free shipping, and for every item purchased, they donate the same item. Growlies for Pets is offering prepaid deliveries and curbside pickup. They don’t offer online ordering yet but do have an online catalog – just give them a call: 250-391-4475 .

is offering prepaid deliveries and curbside pickup. They don’t offer online ordering yet but do have an online catalog – just give them a call: . Pets West is taking orders by phone (call 250-744-1779 or text 236-882-4830) and email (pets@petswest.ca) for pickup and delivery orders.

is taking orders by phone (call 250-744-1779 or text 236-882-4830) and email (pets@petswest.ca) for pickup and delivery orders. Bellies in Bloom has dropped their threshold for free shipping to $100 for Victoria/Saanich/West Shore customers, is offering a curbside pickup option for residents of southern Vancouver Island, and still offers one-on-one assistance including for bra fittings. Appointments can be set by email.

has dropped their threshold for free shipping to $100 for Victoria/Saanich/West Shore customers, is offering a curbside pickup option for residents of southern Vancouver Island, and still offers one-on-one assistance including for bra fittings. Appointments can be set by email. Doggie Dogster works in a self contained shed, fully Equipped with the finest shampoo and conditioners. No in store action. Outside meet. Between each groom, fully wiped down and sanitized!

works in a self contained shed, fully Equipped with the finest shampoo and conditioners. No in store action. Outside meet. Between each groom, fully wiped down and sanitized! Kharma Salon is still selling retail while our shops are closed! Contact them through social media for more info!

Grocery/retail stores with senior/vulnerable community friendly hours:

Quality Foods is open two hours early each day (7 a.m. – 9 a.m.) before the general public

is open two hours early each day (7 a.m. – 9 a.m.) before the general public Country Grocer will be open one hour early each day (7 a.m. – 8 a.m.) before the general public

will be open one hour early each day (7 a.m. – 8 a.m.) before the general public Shoppers Drug Mart had dedicated their first opening hour of each day or seniors and vulnerable community members to do their shopping – check their website for specific store hours

Fitness centres offering online workouts:

Annex Fitness is doing Live Instagram workout sessions led by an Annex leader on Monday – Friday at 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sundays at 9:00 a.m., approximately 30-35 mins each

is doing Live Instagram workout sessions led by an Annex leader on Monday – Friday at 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sundays at 9:00 a.m., approximately 30-35 mins each Yoga Lab will be doing live online classes that will feature theur dedicated faculty members demonstrating and cueing a 60 minute practice which will vary according to the schedule (roots, align flow, yin, slow flow, core flow)

will be doing live online classes that will feature theur dedicated faculty members demonstrating and cueing a 60 minute practice which will vary according to the schedule (roots, align flow, yin, slow flow, core flow) Fitness Academy is offering FREE at home workouts each day on their Instagram page

is offering FREE at home workouts each day on their Instagram page Pacific Ninja Gym is doing live Facebook workouts that are very simple and use your body weight, and last around an hour.

is doing live Facebook workouts that are very simple and use your body weight, and last around an hour. Forge Fitness posting daily free at home workouts, no equipment needed. Lots to try: boxing/kickboxing, HIIT, Core, yoga, etc.

Household Services

FortisBC will be waiving our late payment fees. If customers have questions, please call us at 1-866-436-7847 for electricity and 1-888-224-2710 for natural gas

As the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, more and more companies have been changing their policies and the way they conduct business.

We will be updating this list regularly to reflect these changes.

If you know any businesses not mentioned this list, let us know in the comment section below!