COVID-19 Updates | Daily Workplace Round Up for April 22, 2020

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Below are the key announcements from the Federal, Ontario, Alberta and BC governments that touch on workplace issues for April 22, 2020. 

Federal

CEWS FAQ for Employers

Now that the Feds have clarified some key CEWS details and questions that up until now remained unanswered, ConnectsUs HR has created 22 FAQs Employers have about the CEWS where you can also download the new CEWS Calculation Spreadsheet Template. 

WTO Ensures Open Trade for Food & Agricultural Products 

The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, issued the following statement today:

“As countries take action to respond to the impacts of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it is imperative that trade remains open and predictable to ensure people in Canada and around the world can access the food and essential goods they need."

Canada and 23 WTO members signed onto a joint statement to reinforce international cooperation on trade in agricultural and agri-food products.

The joint statement will help to protect and promote food security, nutrition and the health of people around the world.

For more information, check out this statement from Global Affairs Canada.

Ontario

Increased Testing, COVID-19 SWAT Teams & Additional PPE for Long-Term Care Homes

Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care announced the following update today:

"The Ontario government is making progress on the implementation of the COVID-19 Action Plan for Protecting Long-Term Care Homes to help stop and contain the spread of COVID-19 in the province's long-term care homes. The government has introduced more aggressive testing, screening, and surveillance, deployed specialized teams from hospitals, public health and the home care sector, recruited additional frontline staff, and increased personal protective equipment."    

Detailed measures for on-the-ground support to long-term care homes can be found in this news release.

Alberta

Launches 'Alberta Care Connector' for Organizations & Volunteer Workers

The Alberta Cares Connector is a new tool that's been launched to help connect Albertans with volunteer opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The webpage is designed to help ensure organizations and programs that rely on the assistance of volunteers are able to continue to provide support to those in need.

Learn more from Alberta's official news source. 

British Columbia

Companies, Societies & Co-ops will Now Meet Electronically

Electronic meetings will now be allowed temporarily, in order to support B.C. companies, societies and co-operatives through the COVID-19 pandemic.

A temporary change under the Emergency Program Act will allow electronic meetings during the Province’s state of emergency. The order helps corporations hold annual or special general meetings, in accordance with the provincial health officer’s order against gatherings of more than 50 people.

Learn more from BC’s information bulletin. 

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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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