April 8 COVID-19 Update
This message includes

  • New Public Health Order: No visitors to continuing care facilities 
  • Unlicensed homes: encouraged by CSS to apply the same standards as licensed homes 
  • SPPC Update: Addressed current challenges, and the need for post-pandemic planning and response 
  • Essential Workers: Documentation  
  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: more flexible 
  • COVID19@acds.ca: New email address for questions, issues, concerns around COVID-19 

New Public Health Order
A Public Health Order issues yesterday. As of April 7,  no visitors , including those designated as essential, are allowed into continuing care facilities,  except for visits:  

  1. Where, in rare situations, the resident’s care needs cannot be met without the visitor's assistance, or 
  2. When a resident is dying 
Unlicensed Homes
We know there have been many  questions by service providers regarding unlicensed homes , and although these homes are not subject to these orders,  Community and Social Services (CSS) is encouraging service providers to consider applying these same standards  where possible. In addition, service providers have the ability to make policy decisions regarding safety and visitation as necessary during this time.

CSS has been clear that they will support these decisions should there be objections from individuals or families. 
SPPC Update
On the weekly Service Provider Partnership Committee (SPPC) call today, we discussed some of the barriers and challenges that are arising for organizations related to 
layoffs and recalls while accessing Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and the challenges in navigating government benefits programs and eligibility. As well, we discussed alternate staffing models being implemented by organizations and the resultant administrative challenges of navigating changing employment standards and legislation. 

We also committed to the SPPC continuing to meet outside of the brief weekly check-ins, to begin collaborative discussions and planning for the challenges and responses needed post-pandemic to rebuild the capacity for service delivery, and integrating learnings regarding capacity and sustainability of the services moving forward. This also included identifying issues related to the dichotomy between expectations for licensed and unlicensed homes, and the relationship of the sector within AHS. 
Essential Workers
There have been several questions raised recently regarding documentation for essential workers. There is currently no requirement for essential workers to carry documentation as there are no binding movement restrictions in place in Alberta, at this time. CSS is currently planning for the necessary protocols should this change. However, several organizations have proactively issued letters to staff, and organizations may want to consider doing. In some jurisdictions, there are reports of informational stop checks by police to raise community awareness, and staff may appreciate having this 
documentation. In addition, this may assist in staff accessing child care or other programs limited to designated workers.    
Federal Government Wage Subsidy
The Government of Canada announced today that the requirement for businesses to demonstrate the 30% loss of gross revenue from March 2020 from March 2019 is now more flexible: 
  • Businesses will only have to show loss of gross revenue of 15% for March 2020; and  
  • Businesses will have the option to show the 15% loss of gross revenue as compared to the months of January and February 2020. 

Non-profits will have the  option  of whether to include government funding or not in the calculation of loss of gross revenue. 

The government has committed to have this program operational within the next three weeks. We will provide updates as they are available. 

ACDS COVID-19 Contact Email
Please continue to report any issues related to these new measures, or any other challenges related to COVID-19, to us at COVID19@acds.ca . 
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Alberta Council of Disability Services