COVID-19 Business Update: September 30th, 2020

September 30, 2020 | Daily Update

The Ontario government today released updated COVID-19 modelling which shows the province is experiencing a second surge in cases similar to what other jurisdictions have experienced
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • The Ontario government today released updated COVID-19 modelling which shows the province is experiencing a second surge in cases similar to what other jurisdictions have experienced. Cases are currently doubling approximately every 10 to 12 days. The growth in cases was initially in the 20 to 39 age group, but cases are now climbing in all age groups. The GNCC advises all businesses and non-profits to:
    • Strictly adhere to all public safety legislation and guidelines, including Regional mask bylaws, gathering patron contact information, and employee screening, as well as physical distancing and hand-washing, etc.
    • Prepare for the possibility of additional restrictions in the coming weeks, including a potential rollback to Stage 2 of the provincial re-opening framework.
  • Niagara Health President Lynn Guerriero has confirmed that the second wave of COVID-19 has arrived, and reassured the public that Niagara Health has been carefully planning for a second wave of the virus. The St. Catharines Site will be the dedicated COVID-19 site for inpatient acute and critical care. A regional model of care developed with hospitals in our LHIN region, which includes Hamilton, Burlington and Brantford, will support a coordinated response to caring for COVID-19 positive patients, particularly during times when there may be a surge in cases of COVID-19. Safety enhancements are in place for everyone who comes into our buildings. Among them:
    • Staff, physicians, patients and visitors are screened for COVID-19.
    • Masking is mandatory.
    • Signage is in place to maintain physical distancing in waiting rooms, elevators and other common areas.
    • Niagara Health has introduced a number of virtual care offerings to patients to reduce the need for them to come to the hospital in person.
  • The Government of Ontario now requires screening for any workers or essential visitors entering the work environment. This does not include patrons entering a workplace (e.g., customers entering a grocery store, restaurant, bar or other food or drink establishment). It also excludes emergency services or other first responders entering a workplace for emergency purposes. Further, essential workers who travel outside for Canada for work purposes should not be excluded entry on this basis alone. Screening should occur before or when a worker enters the workplace at the beginning of their day or shift, or when an essential visitor arrives. Anyone who does not pass screening should be advised that they should not enter the workplace and should self-isolate and call their health care provider or Telehealth Ontario. Template screening tools are available from Niagara Region in colour and black-and-white (PDF links).
  • A handful of Ontario craft breweries and distilleries have joined forces with Niagara College to establish student awards aimed at increasing diversity in both academic programs and the province’s beverage industry as a whole. The awards, which include both scholarships and bursaries covering partial and full tuition, have been created specifically for students who are Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) and enrolling in the College’s Brewmaster and Brewery Operations, Artisan Distilling, and Winery and Viticulture Technician programs.
  • The Ontario government has developed a $2.8 billion COVID-19 fall preparedness plan aimed at ensuring the province’s health care, long-term care and education systems are prepared for the immediate challenges of the fall, including a second wave of COVID-19 and the upcoming flu season, entitled Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19. The plan includes:
    • $1.376 billion to enhance and expand efforts to test, trace and isolate new cases of COVID-19
    • $70 million to purchase and distribute flu vaccines
    • $26.5 million to purchase and administer additional flu vaccine doses if required
    • $2 million to purchase additional antiviral medication to support outbreak management of influenza in institutions
    • $30 million to identify and contain COVID-19 outbreaks
    • $283.7 million to assist the health system’s ongoing efforts to reduce surgery backlogs
    • $457.49 million to ensure that the health system is prepared to respond to any waves or surges of COVID-19 without interrupting routine health services
    • $52.5 million to recruit, retain and support over 3,700 more frontline health care workers and caregivers
  • How comfortable are you attending in-person events? The GNCC is conducting a survey to assess our members’ current attitude towards events held in person. The GNCC has been holding all of its own events virtually since March. The survey contains 3-6 questions, depending on your answers, and should take no more than 1-2 minutes to complete.

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, contact your health care provider, call the Public Health Info-Line at 905-688-8248, or chat to Public Health online. For testing, call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19) for information on test centres in Niagara and to book an appointment.

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, wear a mask or face covering. 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.

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COVID-19 Business Update: September 29th, 2020

September 29, 2020 | Daily Update

The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has released new figures indicating that the federal deficit for the year is on track to hit $328.5 billion as a result of COVID-19
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has released new figures indicating that the federal deficit for the year is on track to hit $328.5 billion as a result of COVID-19, including an estimated $225.9 billion in emergency aid in response to the pandemic. Relative to the size of the economy, the deficit amounts to 15 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), making it the largest over 50-plus years of comparable data.
  • The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) has made information available on mortgage deferrals to help consumers understand their options as the mortgage deferrals introduced in the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic begin to expire. As mortgage deferrals begin to expire, FCAC encourages consumers who foresee challenges in making their payments to speak with their lender about available relief options. Some consumers may be eligible for extended relief from their financial institution on a case-by-case basis. Other options for consumers include extending their amortization period (the length of time they have to pay off their mortgage in full) or opting for an early renewal to benefit from a lower interest rate.
  • How comfortable are you attending in-person events? The GNCC is conducting a survey to assess our members’ current attitude towards events held in person. The GNCC has been holding all of its own events virtually since March. The survey contains 3-6 questions, depending on your answers, and should take no more than 1-2 minutes to complete.

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, contact your health care provider, call the Public Health Info-Line at 905-688-8248, or chat to Public Health online. For testing, call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19) for information on test centres in Niagara and to book an appointment.

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, wear a mask or face covering. 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.

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COVID-19 Business Update: September 28th, 2020

September 28, 2020 | Daily Update

The GNCC has requested that the Government of Ontario commit to greater transparency in its COVID-related decision process.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • The GNCC has requested that the Government of Ontario commit to greater transparency in its COVID-related decision process. Friday’s decision to tighten restrictions on bars and restaurants will hurt many businesses, but the data and the rationale behind this decision have not been made clear. We feel that the government’s case would be better-made if it were to explain how this decision will protect public health, with evidence-based estimates of the number of cases it feels will be prevented by doing so.
  • The Government of Canada is proposing to extend the current treatment of furloughed employees under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program for the upcoming four-week period, from September 27 to October 24, 2020. This means employers who qualify for the wage subsidy would be able to continue to claim up to a maximum benefit of $847 per week per employee to support remuneration of their furloughed workers until October 24, 2020. This treatment of furloughed employees was previously extended until September 26. The government has announced that it will review this policy in light of COVID-related developments, likely meaning that further extensions are possible.
  • The United States government has appealed last month’s WTO panel report which found that U.S. countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber contravened WTO rules. The Government of Canada has expressed its disappointment at this decision.
  • How comfortable are you attending in-person events? The GNCC is conducting a survey to assess our members’ current attitude towards events held in person. The GNCC has been holding all of its own events virtually since March. The survey contains 3-6 questions, depending on your answers, and should take no more than 1-2 minutes to complete.

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, contact your health care provider, call the Public Health Info-Line at 905-688-8248, or chat to Public Health online. For testing, call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19) for information on test centres in Niagara and to book an appointment.

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, wear a mask or face covering. 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.

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COVID-19 Business Update: September 25th, 2020

September 25, 2020 | Daily Update

The Ontario government has tightened public health measures in response to the recent rise in cases of COVID-19.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and other health experts, the Ontario government has amended order O. Reg 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3 under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, to tighten public health measures in response to the recent rise in cases of COVID-19. The amended order will apply province-wide effective 12:01 a.m. on Saturday September 26 and will:
    • Apply additional measures and restrictions to restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments (including nightclubs) by prohibiting the sale of alcohol after 11 p.m., and prohibiting the consumption of alcohol on the premises after 12:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. (including employees), and requiring establishments to close by 12:00 a.m. and remain closed until 5:00 a.m. except for takeout or delivery;
    • Close all strip clubs across the province; and
    • Require businesses or organizations to comply with any advice, recommendations, and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health on screening for COVID-19.
  • CPP Investments, the organization that invests the money of the Canada Pension Plan, is holding its biannual public meeting for Ontario on October 5th between 12pm and 1pm EDT. The meeting will be broadcast virtually and will be accessible by computer and phone in both English and French. Anyone interested in learning more about how their CPP contributions are being invested is welcome to attend. More information is available here (PDF link).
  • The Government of Canada will transition from the CERB to the revamped EI program on September 27. EI will now be available to more Canadians, including those who would not have qualified for EI in the past, supporting an additional 400,000 people through the program. Canadians receiving EI are eligible for a taxable benefit at a rate of at least $500 per week, or $300 per week for extended parental benefits. Canadians claiming EI benefits for job loss would be eligible for at least 26 weeks. Returning to the EI program will allow claimants to benefit from the Working While on Claim rules. These rules allow claimants to keep receiving part of their EI benefits and all their earnings from work. In addition, employers will once again be able to make use of registered Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) plans to provide support to employees. Service Canada has nearly doubled the number of specialized EI call centre agents in advance of the expected unprecedented number of EI claims over the coming weeks.
  • Today is Franco-Ontario day, and the Government of Ontario has announced that from September 28, Ontarians with French characters in their names (e.g. ç, è, é, ê, ë) will be able to request new drivers’ licenses and Ontario Photo Cards that include these characters. Replacements will be free of charge. Customers will be required to visit a ServiceOntario centre with supporting identification documents to request their new ID, but the government asks that those wishing to amend their documents wait until they are expiring to reduce crowding and wait times.
  • If you operate a small-to-medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Niagara, with fewer than 500 employees, the GNCC, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and the Ryerson University Diversity Institute – Future Skills Centre need your help with a study on the future skills needs of SMEs. The talent requirements of SMEs are frequently overlooked, and we know that talent acquisition and retention is one of the biggest problems that face small and medium-sized businesses. Participants in the study will directly contribute to research on SME skills needs, which will inform programming to support meeting those needs. Participants will use a virtual bulletin board to participate in the research, which will include some simple poll questions, as well as short and long answer questions. Participation can be made via text, audio, or video – whichever is more convenient. SMEs admitted for the program will be given clear instructions and many days to complete the research, which they can do at any time. The program is designed to be as flexible and easy to complete as possible; we know participants are busy people and their time is valuable. Responses will be confidential (not even the other participants will see them) to ensure all participants are comfortable sharing sensitive or competitive data. Our expectation is for the project to kick off in mid-October but we will be taking participants on a rolling basis through November, in order to reach a reasonable number of completed responses. If you are interested, please submit your information here.

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, contact your health care provider, call the Public Health Info-Line at 905-688-8248, or chat to Public Health online. For testing, call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19) for information on test centres in Niagara and to book an appointment.

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, wear a mask or face covering. 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.

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COVID-19 Business Update: September 24th, 2020

September 24, 2020 | Daily Update

The Government of Canada has announced the introduction of Bill C-2, which would create three new temporary Recovery Benefits to support Canadians who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • The Government of Canada has announced the introduction of Bill C-2, which would create three new temporary Recovery Benefits to support Canadians who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19. These benefits would include:
    • A Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) of $500 per week for up to 26 weeks, to workers who are self-employed or are not eligible for EI and who still require income support. This Benefit would support Canadians who have not returned to work due to COVID-19 or whose income has dropped by at least 50%. These workers must be available and looking for work, and must accept work where it is reasonable to do so;
    • A Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) of $500 per week for up to two weeks, for workers who are sick or must self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19. This Benefit aims to support the Government of Canada’s commitment to ensure all Canadian workers have access to paid sick leave; and,
    • A Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) of $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household, for eligible Canadians unable to work because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19 or because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine.
  • These changes will also establish a minimum weekly benefit payment of $500 for all EI recipients, at the same level as the CRB. Canadians will be able to apply for these programs through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for one year up until September 25, 2021. As announced previously, temporary measures to help Canadians access EI benefits more easily are effective September 27, 2020, for one year, including:
    • 120 hours of work required to qualify
    • Minimum benefit rate of $400 per week
    • At least 26 weeks of regular benefits.
  • The Government of Ontario is changing provincial COVID-19 testing guidelines, now stating that asymptomatic individuals should not be tested unless they have had close contact with a case, are part of an outbreak investigation, or those at risk due to their health condition or their employment. Publicly-funded testing will be available for individuals falling into these categories, as well as those exhibiting symptoms. Niagara Region Public Health officials have recommended against asymptomatic testing for some time, and this move by the Province represents greater alignment between provincial and regional policy. Effective immediately, Ontarians should only seek testing at assessment centres if they are:
    • Showing COVID-19 symptoms;
    • Have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus, as informed by your public health unit or exposure notification through the COVID Alert app;
    • A resident or work in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified and informed by your local public health unit; and
    • Eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative directed by the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Long-Term Care.
  • The Niagara Community Observatory and Niagara Workforce Planning Board have released Special Report: The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Niagara Women in the Workforce (PDF link), which highlights how the pandemic has affected the employment of men and women locally. In the report, the two research organizations conclude that Niagara is following the national narrative in that women have borne the brunt of employment losses since February, and are continuing to do so.

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, contact your health care provider, call the Public Health Info-Line at 905-688-8248, or chat to Public Health online. For testing, call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19) for information on test centres in Niagara and to book an appointment.

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, wear a mask or face covering. 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.

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COVID-19 Business Update: September 23rd, 2020

September 23, 2020 | Daily Update

Prime Minister Trudeau’s throne speech announced the government’s intent to create 1 million jobs in Canada, returning employment to pre-pandemic levels.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • Prime Minister Trudeau’s throne speech announced the government’s intent to create 1 million jobs in Canada, returning employment to pre-pandemic levels. Immediate steps will include extending the country’s emergency wage subsidy program until next summer and expanding credit facilities for companies, as well as more targeted support for the hardest hit industries. Top priorities remain health care and the immediate fight against the pandemic, followed by maintaining COVID-19 financial support for businesses and Canadians. The Throne Speech also laid out plans to crack down on digital giants, including measures to ensure they share revenues from media, music, art and film, and address corporate tax avoidance by digital giants as well as additional taxes on the most wealthy. The plan also pushes for the creation of a national childcare program to help women and one parent families to return to the workforce.
  • As of Friday, up to 60 pharmacies in Ontario will begin offering testing by appointment only, with further locations coming online in the coming weeks. This initiative will expand testing capacity well beyond the province’s 150 assessment centres. A list of locations can be accessed here. Individuals must follow all public health measures when going for a test, including wearing a mask, practising physical distancing, and frequent handwashing. Anyone feeling ill on the date of their appointment should stay home and re-schedule the test.
  • The Ontario government is launching a recruitment campaign to increase its team of frontline health and safety inspectors by 98 and help ensure workplaces across the province are doing their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The hiring of these new workers will see the number of active inspectors in the province increase from 409 to 507, an increase of 24 per cent. The full-year cost for the new inspectors will be $11.6 million. Recruitment of the inspectors will begin in early October 2020.

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, contact your health care provider, call the Public Health Info-Line at 905-688-8248, or chat to Public Health online. For testing, call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19) for information on test centres in Niagara and to book an appointment.

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, wear a mask or face covering. 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.

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COVID-19 Business Update: September 22nd, 2020

September 22, 2020 | Daily Update

The Government of Canada has signed agreements with Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to secure up to 72 million doses of their COVID-19 adjuvanted recombinant protein-based vaccine candidate
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • The Government of Canada has signed agreements with Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to secure up to 72 million doses of their COVID-19 adjuvanted recombinant protein-based vaccine candidate. Based on recommendations from the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, the Government of Canada is signing agreements with a number of leading pharmaceutical companies to establish a guaranteed supply base of potential vaccine candidates. Agreements have previously been signed with Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax, and negotiations continue for access to other leading vaccine candidates. Currently, no vaccines have been approved to prevent COVID-19 in Canada. The Government of Canada has signed an agreement with Gilead Sciences and McKesson Canada to secure a supply of up to 150,000 vials of remdesivir, with deliveries beginning this month and continuing into early 2021. Currently, remdesivir is the only known anti-viral drug that has been shown to be effective in treating COVID-19 patients.
  • The Ontario government is implementing the largest flu immunization campaign in Ontario’s history, as part of the province’s plan to prepare the health system for a second wave of COVID-19. The Province is ordering 5.1 million flu vaccine doses in partnership with the federal government and other provinces and territories, 700,000 more than the approximated usage last year, at a cost of approximately $70 million. The government is also investing an additional $26.5 million to purchase additional flu vaccine doses if required. Businesses and non-profits should consider actively encouraging all staff and volunteers to get the flu shot in order to reduce absenteeism caused by illness. It takes about two weeks for the flu shot to reach full effect, so it is important to get the shot as soon as it becomes available. Flu season can start as early as November. For more information, visit www.ontario.ca/page/flu-facts.
  • Ontario will begin offering COVID-19 tests at dozens of drug stores within days, Premier Ford has announced. The government hopes that 60 pharmacies will be offering the test by the end of this week. As cases rise, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario’s associate chief medical officer, has stated that the government is not considering moving back to Stage 2, but is considering “other measures” beside the tighter restrictions on gatherings announced over the weekend.

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, contact your health care provider, call the Public Health Info-Line at 905-688-8248, or chat to Public Health online. For testing, call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19) for information on test centres in Niagara and to book an appointment.

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, wear a mask or face covering. 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.

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COVID-19 Business Update: September 21st, 2020

September 21, 2020 | Daily Update

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Public Health Measures Table, reduced limits on the number of people permitted to attend unmonitored and private social gatherings across the entire province
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • Over the weekend, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Public Health Measures Table, reduced limits on the number of people permitted to attend unmonitored and private social gatherings across the entire province, effective immediately. A minimum fine of $10,000 will be levied against anyone hosting an event in contravention of this legislation. Last week, the government imposed these restrictions in Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa. The new limit on the number of people allowed to attend an unmonitored private social gathering across the province is:
    • 10 people at an indoor event or gathering (previous limit of 50); or
    • 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering (previous limit of 100).
  • Businesses and other organizations should note that these new limits apply only to unmonitored and private gatherings. The new limits will not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities, such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, convention centres, banquet halls, gyms, places of worship, recreational sporting or performing art events. Current rules concerning physical distancing, mask-wearing, and so forth should be adhered to as before.
  • The Government of Ontario has issued a statement expressing their satisfaction that the Ontario Emissions Performance Standards (EPS) program has been accepted as an alternative to the federal output-based pricing system. Businesses should review the program and evaluate whether they are required to register, or may opt in. The program is aimed at large industrial emitters and will not affect the carbon tax on gasoline, for instance. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court will hear appeals in three cases this week to determine if the federal carbon tax is constitutional. Appeals courts in Saskatchewan and Ontario had previously upheld the law, while the Alberta Court of Appeal ruled it unconstitutional.
  • Tomorrow at 10:30am, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and Grimsby Library will present Finding nature in your backyard, an interactive Zoom presentation on the work of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, focused on special projects, ecology, species at risk, volunteering and partnerships for everyone who supports and appreciates Niagara’s natural heritage. Register here.
  • Niagara Health has announced a significant increase in the number of people seeking testing over the past week at Niagara Health’s three COVID-19 Assessment Centres, with 3,484 tests performed between Sept. 11 to 17, which is an average of nearly 500 people per day. This total includes a record 665 tests on Sept. 16. As a result, walk-in patients are experiencing longer than normal wait times, and may not be seen on the day they arrive. Addresses and opening hours of Niagara’s three assessment centres are available here. Patients are encouraged to book an appointment by calling 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19).

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, contact your health care provider, call the Public Health Info-Line at 905-688-8248, or chat to Public Health online. For testing, call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19) for information on test centres in Niagara and to book an appointment.

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, wear a mask or face covering. 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.

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COVID-19 Business Update: September 18th, 2020

September 18, 2020 | Daily Update

Last night, Niagara Regional Council voted to extend the Region’s mask bylaw until April 1, 2021. The bylaw is unchanged beside the expiration date, and businesses may simply leave the signage already in place and continue with their current rules and guidelines. Council may opt to rescind the bylaw earlier if conditions change.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • Last night, Niagara Regional Council voted to extend the Region’s mask bylaw until April 1, 2021. The bylaw is unchanged beside the expiration date, and businesses may simply leave the signage already in place and continue with their current rules and guidelines. Council may opt to rescind the bylaw earlier if conditions change.
  • The Canada-U.S. border closure, originally set to expire on Monday, has been extended until October 21. The decision was bilateral and agreed upon by both national governments. Essential travel and the flow of goods will continue as before, but recreational travel remains forbidden.
  • The Ontario government is committing nearly $1 million in cost-share funding to help rural communities diversify their economies, retain skilled workers and create jobs. The intake is directed at not-for-profit organizations with a mandate towards regional economic development and eligible projects would be eligible for up to 70 per cent of total costs to a maximum of $75,000 in provincial funding. Minister Hardeman also announced more than $3 million in funding cost-shared with applicants to be invested in 65 projects through a previous RED intake. Applications will be accepted from September 21 – October 9, 2020, and all costs must be incurred on or before March 31, 2021. Projects must benefit rural Ontario, have tangible outcomes, and reach beyond one county, region, or district. This funding will support economic development efforts such as:
    • Capital improvements to enhance an uptown arts and cultural hub to increase tourism;
    • Implementing new and accessible streetscaping to develop a more inviting downtown;
    • Waterfront development to expand and revitalize local trails.
  • Today is the world’s first International Equal Pay Day, which represents the longstanding efforts towards the achievement of equal pay for work of equal value. The gender pay gap between men and women is now 23% globally, and the International Equal Pay Day aims to raise awareness of the continued existence of that gap. The Government of Canada is proud that the country is an active member of the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC), and supported the adoption of the resolution proclaiming September 18th as International Equal Pay Day.

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, contact your health care provider, call the Public Health Info-Line at 905-688-8248, or chat to Public Health online. For testing, call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19) for information on test centres in Niagara and to book an appointment.

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, wear a mask or face covering. 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.

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