COVID-19 Response Update 6
We are going to do our best to continue providing updates on a daily basis, weekends included. Please feel free to reach out should you have any questions that we might be able to help find you answers for.
Our Operations
Please note that we will not be staffing our office. We will be working from home, if you need to get in touch with us please email info@yarmouthchamberofcommerce.com or call Rick on his cell phone at 902-740-5251
We are expecting more updated today and hopefully more clarification around EI and business supports are on their way.
We will be hosting a online meeting in the coming days, please keep an eye out for that information.
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Message from Province of Nova Scotia
Yesterday's announcement of the provincial state of emergency under the Emergency Management Act to help contain the spread of COVID-19 introduced the following specific directives:
1. Effective at 12 noon on March 22, 2020, all Provincial and municipal parks and beaches are closed to all. All travel into those parks and beaches is strictly prohibited.
2. Effective as of 6:00 am on March 23, 2020, all persons entering the Province will be checked at the border.
Workplaces that were open before the Declaration may remain open, provided directives issued to date continue to be followed. Employers know their business and are responsible for occupational health and safety and we look to you to operate in a way that follows the existing directives of Public Health.
Public social gatherings of more than 5 persons has been prohibited under the Health Protection Act. This restriction does not restrict the number of persons in a workplace, provided the directives issued to date under the Health Protection Act measures are being followed including those relating to social distancing and personal health protection.
Persons entering Nova Scotia at any border crossing are required to self isolate unless they are exempt.
Exemptions from self isolation for cross-border travel into Nova Scotia include:
- healthy workers in trades and transportation sectors who move goods and people,
- healthy people commuting to work, and
- people travelling into the province for essential health services.
A person required to self isolate in any jurisdiction before today continues to have that requirement.
The government of Nova Scotia and the federal government are working to put policies, programs and initiatives in place that will assist small businesses immediately and through the next several months.
On Friday, March 20, the provincial government announced several measures to assist small businesses.
Payment deferrals until June 30 on all government loans, including those under the Farm Loan Board, Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board, Jobs Fund, Nova Scotia Business Fund, Municipal Finance Corp. and Housing Nova Scotia. And small business fees, including business renewal fees and workers compensation premiums (a list of fees will be posted online early next week).
Changes to the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, administered through 15 provincial Credit Unions, include deferring principal and interest payments until June 30 and enhancing the program to make it easier for businesses to access credit up to $500,000. Other changes to this program will be announced soon.
The province will be making more announcements in the coming days and weeks. Please refer to the provincial government’s website at
novascotia.ca/coronavirus
for accurate, regular updates.
Additional Resources:
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397
Summary of provincial announcements
March 22 State of Emergency declared
March 21 Dentists can no longer practice dentistry in their offices unless deemed necessary to perform an emergency dental procedure
March 18 Announcement re: Personal Services and fitness establishments
- Includes: hair salons, barbershops, spas, nail salons, body art establishments, gyms
March 17 No public gatherings of more than 50 people
Announcements re: restaurants
In effect March 19, 12:01am
- Only take-out and delivery permitted
- Drinking establishments, winery and distillery tasting rooms and craft taprooms closed
- Private liquor stores permitted to be open, and craft breweries, wineries and distilleries can still sell storefront
- Access Nova Scotia closed
March 15 Announcements include
- Long-term care closed effective immediately
- Public schools and regulated childcare closed
- Social distancing – 2 meters/6 feet, gatherings of less than 150 or much smaller if possible
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Information from Atlantic Chamber of Commerce
ACC has sent a
letter of request
to Minister Morneau, asking the Government of Canada to consider
allowing for immediate tax-free withdrawals from RRSPs for a period of 90 days up to a maximum of $10,000
.
This bridging measuring could offer very real relief to cash flow as people, families and businesses access the supports announcement by the Minister earlier this week.
Please see links below from our Corporate Partner, Deloitte, two helpful documents for business. First, a summary of all the measures announced by government
recently, and a tax consideration guide for employers in regard to some of the measures announced.
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey of members.
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Resources from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
On Monday, March 23, 1:30 pm ET, we will host a call on COVID-19 crisis and immigration, specifically the
Temporary Foreign Worker
program. If you have not already registered, please consider doing so at this link:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/100321393990
The Canadian Payroll Association has shared from FAQ's that may be of interest. You can access that information here:
Payroll & COVID-19 FAQ's
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Other Resources
Starr Cunningham the CEO of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia delivered a document you can share with your staff or members about working from home. Download Here.
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The federal government is reaching out for companies who can produce breathing equipment and personal protective equipment (in particular the N95 masks). Could you activate your business networks behind this goal.
The links below provide information on federal programing.
BUSINESS and SCIENCE portal
:
1.
PSPC has established a web portal and intake form for suppliers that are able to provide specific products (i.e. N95 masks, gowns, gloves and other PPE) or services (i.e. nursing, food, security)
·
Information submitted through the web portal & generic email address are triaged by type and then referred to a procurement “tiger team” that crosswalks the information submitted through the portal to requirements determined by PHAC & P/Ts
2.
ISED has launched a “call to action” to Canadian manufacturers to help fight COVID-19. They have created a new web page as well as an intake for manufacturers that; make needed supplies, have the potential to rapidly re-tool existing facilities or equipment, or who have skilled workers that could be available to work elsewhere in Canada.
3.
NRC has issued a COVID-19 “Challenge Program” to bring together a national network of researchers and scientific facilities to address the pressing needs for supplies, medical counter measures, and disease-tracking technology. Additionally, through the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), the NRC has issued a call out, leveraging its existing relationships with Canada’s innovative SMEs, seeking innovative solutions and candidate for funding through Innovative Solutions Canada
