COVID-19 Updates | Weekly Workplace Recap from July 31 to August 5, 2020
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Below are the key announcements from the Federal, Ontario, and BC governments that touch on workplace issues from July 31 to August 5, 2020.
Federal
August Extension Now Available for CECRA for Small Business
The Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program provides relief for small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. It was announced on July 31 that the program has been extended by one month to help businesses pay rent through August.
So far the program has helped 63,000 small business and cost $613 million.
For more information, visit CECRA for small business.
Download the New COVID Alert App
COVID Alert is Canada's free exposure notification app. The app is designed to help limit the spread of COVID-19 by allowing users who have tested positive to enter a ‘Key’ provided by the health authority. Other users who have been in contact with that person for at least 15 minutes will then be notified, and told to seek guidance from their local public health authority.
For more information, including how COVID Alert protects your privacy, see the federal government's website.
$58.6 Million Invested in Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program
A number of COVID-19 outbreaks on Canadian farms have significantly impacted the health and safety of workers. As a result, the federal government is investing $58.6 million to strengthen the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and safety on farms by:
- increasing supports to temporary foreign workers, including for direct outreach to workers through migrant support organizations;
- strengthening the employer inspections regime; and
- improving health and safety improvements to farms and employee living spaces to prevent and respond to the spread of COVID-19.
For more information, check out this official news release.
Ontario
Additional Safety Measures for Bars & Restaurants in Stages 2 and 3
Additional measures have been announced for restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments that are able to re-open under Stages 2 and 3. The measures include:
- all patrons will be required to be seated at all times, in both indoor and outdoor areas, with limited exceptions; and
- bars and restaurants will be required to keep client logs for a period of 30 days and to disclose the client logs to the medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request, which will support case and contact tracing.
The amended orders take effect on Friday, August 7, 2020 and can be found below:
For more information, check out this news release.
$83 Million Invested in Grant Program for Non-Profits
Ontario is investing $83 million through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to provide grants to help eligible non-profit organizations recover from COVID-19.
The OTF's Resilient Communities Fund will provide grants of up to $150,000 to help eligible non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
For details on what this support entails, check out this news release.
British Columbia
Stricter Rules for Bar, Restuarant & Coffee Shop Operators
On July 31, 2020, the provincial health officer ordered more stringent rules for owners and operators of restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, cafeterias, bars, pubs, lounges and nightclubs. These establishments may provide food and/or drink services subject to condtions outlined in the order.
State of Emergency Extended until August 18
The B.C. government has extended the provincial state of emergency to further allow extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act to support the Province's COVID-19 pandemic response.
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.
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