COVID-19 Response Update

News from Yesterday's Provincial Press Conference

Province’s Bars to Close, Restaurants Limited to Take-out, Delivery as of Thursday; Gatherings Limited to 50 or Fewer Effective Immediately  – March 17, 2020
Effectively immediately, there are to be no gatherings of more than 50 people.

The measures below come into effect at 12:01 a.m., Thursday, March 19:
-- restaurants are restricted to take-out and delivery only and no in-person dining 
-- drinking establishments, winery and distillery tasting rooms and craft taprooms must close
-- private liquor stores can continue to operate and craft breweries, wineries and distilleries can continue to sell their product from their storefronts

Closure of Access Nova Scotia and Registry of Motor Vehicle Offices, Deadline Extension  – March 17, 2020
Access Nova Scotia and Registry of Motor Vehicle Offices are temporarily closing for one week starting Wednesday, March 18, to establish new ways of providing service to minimize contact between people.



HR Webinar
You may be interested in registering for a free webinar offered by BBB Accredited Business Ceridian. This webinar is hosted by HR and employment lawyer Stuart Ducoffe, and will cover important information you need to know about dealing with the Coronavirus outbreak as an employer.

You can register by clicking  here .


We are expecting significant news later today... stay tuned to news sources. We will try to update as much as possible.



Chamber Operations

AGM
Our Annual General Meeting scheduled for March 25 is postponed, the new date is May 20. All tickets will be transferred to this new date, should this date not work for any ticket holders please get in touch with us for a refund. Also note that with the ever changing situation, we will monitor this date and if needed will postpone again.

We will also not be planning any other events until such time that we are given the all clear to continue with our operations are normal.

Office
Our office is closed now closed to the public until further notice. Members and other individuals needing service should call the office or email info@yarmouthchamberofcommerce.com

Please note that we are planning to still staff the office for the time being but that may change in the days ahead. If we do close the office we will be working virtually.

Workplace Education
Our workplace education classes are currently on hold, we are working to start up a number of new courses but there will be a delay to this and the current course will not be running for a number of weeks.


You Chamber of Commerce has joined a Business/Employee team created by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce... read the press release.
Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Survey

It is now quite clear that the mitigation efforts to combat spread of the Covid-19 virus are and will have significant effects on all Canadians and the economy in general.

In order for governments to implement effective programs to minimize the personal and commercial impacts, they need to be fully aware of how businesses are working with their employees to safeguard their well-being and maintain operations where possible.

This survey will help us tailor our messages to government in an effort to make sure they are aware of the scope of impacts on Atlantic Canadian businesses and the economy.


Thank you for your participation and assistance. 
Measures to delay and reduce the spread of COVID-19 are already having financial and economic consequences regionally, nationally, and internationally which will grow with the duration and severity of this situation. Canada and other countries have started to implement policies to help mitigate these economic impacts.

APEC is responding by dedicating its research resources to provide insights and analysis as the economic impacts of COVID-19 unfold in Atlantic Canada, which will be available at  www.apec-econ/covid

As a first step, please join us for this free webinar on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 from 2 pm - 3 pm ADT.
To help businesses prepare for and manage the COVID-19 escalation in Canada, the Canadian Chamber has developed a brief guide source from a number of best practice documents and designed to assist business planning and continuity efforts.

Please review all of these resources to help you plan.

Links

Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus  .

Anyone who has travelled outside of Canada or has been in close contact with someone who has travelled and are experiencing fever (above 38 C) and/or new cough should complete the online questionnaire before calling 811. The online questionnaire can be found at:  https://811.novascotia.ca/

Government of Canada:  https://canada.ca/coronavirus
 
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397 Nova Scotia Public Health offices: http://www.nshealth.ca/public-health-offices


Key Information Tools from Economic Development Canada
 
Business Supports
 
Work-Sharing Program - Temporary special measures / Programme de travail partagé - Mesures spéciales temporaires:
 
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Employment and Social Development Canada

Export Development Canada COVID-19:
 
Business Development Bank of Canada – Support for Entrepreneurs impacted by coronavirus  :

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian businesses / Maladie à coronavirus (COVID-19) : Ressources pour les entreprises canadiennes
 
COVID-19 subscription for Public Health Updates:
 

COVID-19 Social Distancing

The recommendations for social distancing from the Chief Public Health Officer, is that people stay at least two (2) meters, or six (6) feet apart and to avoid unnecessary close personal contact.

Ways to practice social distancing include:
  • Avoid shaking hands, and ensure you wash your hands thoroughly, and if you are ill or feeling unwell, stay home;
  • When having conversations with others, observe a two (2) metre, or six (6) foot distance to avoid any transmission;
  • Use instant messaging, or video applications in place of face-to-face conversations;
  • Avoid large gatherings;
  • Sit at least two (2) metres apart in workspaces, where possible;
  • Wipe down shared surfaces, and practice higher frequency cleaning;
  • When working with clients, where possible keep the two-metre distance; and
  • Do not share food, plates or cutlery.