Vital updates:

• The Ontario government is providing employers with a new general workplace guide, which will help them develop a safety plan to better protect workers, customers and clients. The new downloadable toolkit offers tips on how to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as more people get back on the job during Stage 2 of the reopening of the province. The new guide will help each employer create a safety plan that is right for their own unique workplace. It includes information on the use of face coverings, as well as applying controls in the workplace, from most important to least important. It also includes information on what personal protective equipment may be needed for workers. Businesses planning to re-open on Friday should carefully review this guide.
• The Prime Minister today announced that the government is extending the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) by eight weeks, to ensure Canadians have the help they need as they transition back to work. This extension will make the benefit available to eligible workers for up to a total of 24 weeks. The CERB is available to workers who:
  • live in Canada and are at least 15 years old
  • have stopped working because of reasons related to COVID-19, or are eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits, or have exhausted their EI regular or fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020
  • had employment and/or self-employment income of at least $5,000 in 2019, or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application
  • have not earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income per benefit period while collecting the CERB
  • have not quit their job voluntarily
• The Canada-U.S. border will remain closed to non-essential travel for at least another 30 days to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus as confirmed cases in the United States continue to climb past the two million mark. The deal was set to expire on Sunday but will now extend until July 21, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced during his daily news conference today.
• On Friday, June 19 at 12:01am, Niagara will move to Stage 2 of the provincial re-opening framework. For more information on businesses that will be allowed to open, click here. Businesses with questions about re-opening can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

Reading recommendations:

• 5 reasons the pandemic is so very far from over, Brian Resnick, Vox
• Fast COVID-19 vaccine timelines are unrealistic and put the integrity of scientists at risk, Bryam Bridle & Shayan Sharif, The Conversation