Vital updates:
- Government GST/HST deferral and many municipal property tax deferrals will expire at the end of this month. After June 30, interest and penalties will apply again. See here for a list of current financial assistance programs for businesses if your business needs additional help. If you are having difficulty accessing these programs, please contact the GNCC.
- The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced investments in public transit and active transportation across the province, including the construction of a multi-modal hub on Bridge Street in Niagara Falls, and 21 new buses and four new paratransit vehicles in St. Catharines. Other investments totaling $68 million will be made throughout the region. The Government of Canada is investing over $31 million in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Ontario is providing more than $26 million to the projects, while the municipalities are contributing more than $21 million.
- The number of new coronavirus cases reported per day in the U.S. stood at more than 34,000 today, just short of the all-time high reached in late April. The Canada-U.S. border has been closed until July 21 for non-essential travel. The daily average in the U.S. has climbed by more than 50 percent over the past two weeks, which may result in another extension of the border shutdown.
Reading recommendations:
- The Dudes Who Won’t Wear Masks, Julia Marcus, The Atlantic
- Is it safer to fly or drive this summer? 5 health experts weigh in, Natalie B. Compton & Hannah Sampson, The Washington Post
- Remember the N95 mask shortage? It’s still a problem, Lois Parshley, Vox
- How Canada could avoid a 2nd wave of COVID-19, Adam Miller, CBC News
- Majority of Canadians’ work refusal claims being denied amid COVID-19, Brooklyn Neustaeter, CTV News
If you are showing symptoms, you must self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days. Call a public health authority immediately. Do not visit any healthcare provider in person before you have been directly advised to by public health authorities.
Remember that a COVID-19 test is only a snapshot of your health on the specific date and time the swab was taken. No testing is perfect and a negative result doesn’t mean you haven’t been exposed to COVID-19. You can still develop symptoms days after your test was taken.
It is important that everyone practice physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Maintain a 2-metre distance from other people. When maintaining distance is impossible, use a face mask. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Avoid touching the face. If you have recently traveled outside the country, you are legally required to self-isolate for 14 days.
Previous updates can be accessed here.
Stay safe and be vigilant. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.
