COVID-19 Updates | Daily Workplace Round Up for June 4, 2020

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Below are the key announcements from the Federal, Ontario and Alberta governments that touch on workplace issues for June 4, 2020. 

Federal

$2.5 Billion in Financial Support to Provide Seniors with Special July Payment

Justin Trudeau announced today that seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) will receive their special one-time, tax-free payment during the week of July 6.

This $2.5 billion in financial support will help Canadian seniors cover increased costs caused by COVID-19. 

Through this measure and others, the government is providing nearly $900 more for single seniors and more than $1,500 for senior couples, on top of their existing benefits, to help these vulnerable Canadians with extra costs during the pandemic.  

For more details regarding these payments, see this news release.

Ontario

Short-Term Rentals Allowed to Operate as of June 5

The Ontario government announced today that short term rentals including lodges, cabins, cottages, homes, condominiums and B&Bs will be allowed to resume operations starting tomorrow, June 5 at 12:01 a.m.

Under the current Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, short-term rentals are only allowed to be rented to those in need of emergency housing.

Starting tomorrow, under O.Reg. 255/20, these restrictions will be lifted. Owners are of course encouraged to consult tourism and hospitality sector health and safety guidelines when considering how they can reopen their doors. 

For more information, check out this news release.

Toronto Patios Allowed to Expand when Restaurants Reopen

CaféTO, launched today, is a quick-start program that will make it easier for restaurant and bar owners to open and expand patios and access additional space for physical distancing. The program will provide a way for restaurant and bar owners to generate revenue during the summer months ahead.

CaféTO will provide more outdoor dining areas by identifying space in the public right-of-way and expediting the current application and permitting process for sidewalk cafés and parklets.

For more information, check out this news release. 

Alberta

Permanent Changes for Expanded Care in Nursing Homes

On August 15, 2020, long-term changes to Alberta’s nursing home regulations will come into effect. The temporary amendments made to the two regulations under the Nursing Homes Act: the Nursing Homes General Regulation and the Nursing Homes Operation Regulation, will now be permanent. 

The regulations will permanently remove barriers so nurse practitioners are able to act as primary care providers in nursing homes. This will include admitting and assessing residents, offering follow-up care, prescribing medication, and ordering treatments in nursing homes, according to their scopes of practice. 

For more information, check out this news release.

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Sarah Visca is the Operations Manager at ConnectsUs HR, a company that provides tools & resources to quickly set up a Human Resources department.  
You can contact her here. 

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