Yesterday IRCC answered my Web form. They said
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for your email.
Please note the outbreak of the coronavirus has affected IRCC operations and processing timelines. We are operating with reduced capacity and resources, and the government has prioritized the needs of Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents and their immediate families. As such, we cannot provide an estimated time to complete the processing of your application.
However, Please note that due to limited capacity our office is currently only prioritizing work permit applications for people who perform or support
essential services. For the list of occupations that are considered critical, please visit our website:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/foreign-workers.html
Until further notice, most people can’t travel to Canada,
even if they have a valid visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).
Please see the following website for regular updates as the situation can change without notice:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19.html
We trust this information will be of assistance.
Regards,
Client Experience Team | R.A
IRCC Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates