COVID-19 Business Update: August 13th, 2020

August 13, 2020 | Daily Update

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 Canada Revenue Agency has updated its Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) calculator, with a downloadable Excel spreadsheet also available. The resource allows users to determine the amounts they will need to enter when you complete your separate online application form, preview the amount of subsidy they may receive, print their results, and save them to validate their claim. The CEWS program has recently been revised and businesses that have not recalculated since the July 23rd legislative changes were enacted are advised to revisit their applications.
  • The Government of Canada today announced the creation of the Surplus Food Rescue Program, a a $50 million initiative which will help to support Canada’s food system, food processors, food producers and distributors. The impacts of COVID-19 have resulted in the disruptions to areas of Canada’s food system, as it forced the near closure of the restaurant and hospitality industry in Canada and the United States. Some producers across Canada are left with surpluses of quality food, while increased demand from grocery stores alone is not expected to clear the inventory before it spoils. Another impact of the pandemic is an increase in demand for food from food banks and other food security organizations in communities across Canada. The Surplus Food Rescue Program aims to help address these imbalances by providing new funding for the repurposing and redistribution of surplus food to vulnerable Canadians. Further details of approved projects and funding can be found here.
  • The Government of Canada also announced the new Canada Healthy Communities Initiative, which will provide up to $31 million in federal funding to support community-led solutions that respond to immediate and ongoing needs arising from COVID-19 over the next two years. The Initiative will fund smaller-scale local projects under three main themes: creating safe and vibrant public spaces, improving mobility options, and digital solutions. The goal is to fund projects that quickly help communities, including rural and remote communities, adapt to the new reality of COVID-19. Potential projects could include: expanding outdoor seating on our main streets, remodeling a playground to allow for proper physical distancing, building multi-modal paths that would allow bikes, scooters, and personal mobility devices to share space with pedestrians and cars, or creating digital apps to allow residents to access municipal services remotely.
  • Niagara Falls City Council voted unanimously to support of the Niagara Region’s application to join the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities (CIM), joining the municipalities of St. Catharines, Thorold, Pelham, Port Colborne, Welland, Lincoln and West Lincoln. The initiative supports diversity and inclusivity, aims to address systemic and structural racism in the Niagara community, and stresses the importance of taking concrete steps to ensure that both the community and the municipal corporation are as welcoming and inclusive as possible to all residents. The GNCC had requested that all of Niagara’s municipalities join the CIM in its 2018 municipal election platform, recognizing that Niagara will need to attract skilled workers and entrepreneurs from all parts of the country and the world to strengthen its economy, and that those people will only come to communities where they feel welcomed and included. The Niagara Falls CAO’s report can be read here (PDF link).

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: August 12th, 2020

August 12, 2020 | Daily Update

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 and the Government of Canada will provide up to $4 billion in urgently needed one-time assistance to Ontario’s 444 municipalities. Municipalities will be provided with up to $1.6 billion as part of the first round of emergency funding under the Safe Restart Agreement. This funding will help municipalities protect the health and well-being of the people of Ontario, while continuing to deliver critical public services, such as public transit and shelters, as the province continues down the path of renewal, growth and economic recovery. $695 million will help municipalities address operating pressures related to the COVID-19 pandemic through the first round of emergency funding, and over $660 million will support transit systems. The province is also providing an additional $212 million through the Social Services Relief Fund to help vulnerable people find shelter.
  • The 2020-2021 budget deficit in Ontario is now expected to reach $38.5 billion, up from the $20.5 billion projected in March. This has resulted from an anticipated $30 billion in COVID-19 relief spending by the end of the year, combined with a loss of tax revenue in the amount of $5.7 billion. In anticipation of a second wave in the COVID-19 pandemic in fall or winter, the Government of Ontario has also earmarked an additional $4.3 billion for a health-care spending contingency fund. Further highlights from the 2020-2021 First Quarter Finances report include:
    • Private-sector economists are now, on average, forecasting that Ontario’s real GDP will decline by 6.6 per cent in 2020. Between February and May, Ontario’s employment declined by nearly 1.2 million net jobs and the unemployment rate rose to 13.6 per cent, the highest rate on record. In June and July, Ontario’s employment increased by 528,600 jobs and the unemployment rate decreased to 11.3 per cent.
    • Program expenses are projected to be $13.1 billion higher than the March 2020 Economic and Fiscal Update, primarily due to additional temporary supports for the pandemic recovery period and the safe restart and reopening of the province.
    • Despite the Province’s funding requirement increasing by $17.0 billion relative to the March 2020 Economic and Fiscal Update, interest on debt (IOD) is projected to be $741 million lower. This reduction in IOD reflects lower interest rates.
    • The initial Ontario Action Plan included $3.3 billion in additional resources for health care; $3.7 billion to support people and jobs, with measures to provide relief to seniors, parents, students and workers; and $10 billion made available to improve cash flows for people and businesses through tax and other deferrals. The revised $30 billion relief package includes $7.7 billion in direct spending on healthcare and supports, $11 billion in support for impacted businesses and households, and $11.3 billion in cash flow assistance for people and businesses.
    • Corporations Tax revenue is lower by $5.2 billion (34.5 per cent) due to a larger projected decline in corporate profits; Sales Tax revenue is lower by $4.2 billion (14.3 per cent) due to a projected decline in household consumption spending; Personal Income Tax and Ontario Health Premium combined are lower by $497 million (1.2 per cent) mainly due to lower projected compensation of employees, partially offset by the impact of Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) payments that are deemed taxable by the federal government;  Gasoline and Fuel Taxes combined are lower by $448 million (12.8 per cent) due to lower projected volumes purchased; Employer Health Tax is lower by $387 million (5.7 per cent) due to lower projected compensation of employees; and all other taxes combined are lower by $75 million mainly due to decreased revenues projected from the Land Transfer Tax.

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: August 11th, 2020

August 11, 2020 | Daily Update

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:

• Since it was launched, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) has been an important income support for over 8.5 million Canadians and their families, who have had to stop working due to the pandemic. As the country continues to gradually restart the economy, over 1.6 million Canadians have been able to return to work. However, not all sectors are re-opening at the same pace. That’s why the Government is preparing to transition as many Canadians as possible back to the Employment Insurance (EI) system at the end of the month. When individuals begin transitioning off of the CERB back to EI regular benefits at the end of this month, those living in EI regions with an unemployment rate lower than 13.1% will have their EI benefits calculated on the basis of the 13.1% rate, while individuals living in regions with a higher unemployment rate will have their benefits calculated using the actual rate for that region. This temporary measure will establish minimum entry requirements for EI eligibility across the country for Canadians to access the income support they need now or might need later. This is the first in a series of steps, to be announced in the coming weeks, that will help eligible Canadians transition from emergency income measures back into the EI system. Employment Insurance Program

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: August 10th, 2020

August 10, 2020 | Daily Update

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:

  • On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer Health and the local medical officer of health, Windsor-Essex will be allowed to move into Stage 3 on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. The decision was based on positive local trends of key public health indicators, including lower transmission of COVID-19, ongoing hospital capacity, public health capacity to conduct rapid case and contact management, and a significant increase in testing. This was the last region to move into Stage 3, and as of Wednesday, the entire province will be at Stage 3 of the provincial re-opening framework. Premier Ford has indicated that no further relaxations will be forthcoming until a vaccine is available.
  • The Ontario government is taking steps to make commuting and travel easier in the Greater Toronto Area by confirming the Preferred Route for a new 400-series highway and transit corridor across York, Peel and Halton regions. Advancing the GTA West corridor is anticipated to reduce travel times for drivers and support economic growth and job creation. The GTA West corridor will include a four-to-six lane 400-series highway, separate infrastructure dedicated for transit and passenger stations, as well as intelligent transportation features and truck parking. By 2031, the overall traffic on this route is expected to exceed 300,000 auto vehicles trips per day.
  • The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Canada Post, is hosting a free webinar on August 12th between 1pm and 2pm to help you adapt your marketing message for the new ‘business as usual.’ In this session, Mamta Dogra, Senior Manager, Small Business Marketing, Canada Post, will share tips and resources on how to get your message in-market as you adapt your business, generate renewed brand awareness, and find the right customers. Registration is free.
  • The Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) will hold a joint webinar on the importance of women’s entrepreneurship for economic recovery at noon on August 11th. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on women. Most strikingly observed amongst women from disadvantaged populations, it is also taking a harsh toll on women entrepreneurs. This discussion is centred on how women’s entrepreneurship and leadership is critical to a stronger economic recovery in Canada. Registration is free.

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: August 7th, 2020

August 7, 2020 | Daily Update

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:

  • President Trump has announced the restoration of a 10% tariff on Canadian aluminum beginning on August 16th. The announcement was made in Ohio, a battleground state in which Democratic candidate Joe Biden is making significant gains. Ottawa has promised to enact $3.6 billion in retaliatory tariffs from a list drawn up in consultations made over the last 30 days, anticipating this contingency. In 2018, the Government of Canada retaliated against U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs by targeting the economies of Republican-held states. The governments of Ontario and Canada and the U.S. and Canadian Chambers of Commerce have already expressed their opposition to this move. The GNCC has condemned the tariffs, which will cause economic problems on both sides of the border and higher prices for consumers at a time when no government can afford either. U.S. aluminum supplies are insufficient to meet domestic demand, so rather than supporting domestic production of aluminum, the tariffs will simply mean higher costs for U.S. manufacturers, which will be passed on to customers.
  • Statistics Canada has released the July data from its monthly Labour Force Survey. The unemployment rate was 10.9% in July, falling 1.4 percentage points for the second consecutive month and down from a record high of 13.7% in May. The unemployment rate was 5.6% in February. Employment rose by 419,000 (+2.4%) in July, compared with 953,000 (+5.8%) in June. Combined with gains of 290,000 in May, this brought employment to within 1.3 million (-7.0%) of its pre-COVID February level. The number of Canadians who were employed but worked less than half their usual hours for reasons likely related to COVID-19 dropped by 412,000 (-18.8%) in July. Combined with declines recorded in May and June, this left COVID-related absences from work at just under 1 million (+972,000; +120.3%) above February levels.
  • Most of the employment gains in July were in part-time work, which increased by 345,000 (+11.3%), compared with a much smaller increase of 73,000 (+0.5%) in full-time work. Growth in part-time employment has outpaced full-time growth in each of the past three months.
  • In July, employment rose faster among women (+3.4% or +275,000) than men (+1.5% or +144,000). Due to heavier employment losses among women in March, however, employment in July was closer to its pre-shutdown level for men than for women. As of July, men in the core-age group of 25 to 54, who were least affected by the shutdown, had recovered to within 4.4% of their February employment level. Employment for women in this age group was within 5.7% of pre-COVID levels. Female youth (aged 15 to 24) were the furthest from their February employment level (-17.9%), followed by young men (-16.9%) in the same age group.
  • Unemployment rateAmong those who were employed and not absent from work, the number working from home dropped by 400,000, compared with an increase of 300,000 in the number working at locations other than home. Despite this decline, the number of Canadians who worked from home in July (4.6 million) remained significantly higher than the number who usually do so (1.6 million).
  • While the unemployment rate fell among all major age-sex groups in July, it was higher for men (11.3%) than for women (10.4%). The unemployment rate for male youth aged 15 to 24 (26.7%) continued to be higher than that of all other groups, including female youth (21.3%). Among those in the core working age of 25 to 54, the unemployment rate was virtually the same for men (8.8%) and women (8.7%). In July, temporary layoffs declined strongly for a second consecutive month, down 384,000 (-45.5%).
  • Employment rateIn July, under one-quarter (22.4%) of the potential labour force was fully or partially underutilized. This was down notably from more than one-third in April (36.1%), but substantially higher than pre-pandemic levels (11.2% in February). Labour underutilization occurs when people who could potentially work are not working or when people could work more hours than they are currently.
  • The national unemployment rate disguises significant variation across population groups. When unadjusted for seasonality, the national unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 69 was 11.3% in July. Several groups had rates of joblessness significantly above this average, including South Asian (17.8%), Arab (17.3%), and Black (16.8%) Canadians. Among South Asian Canadians, women (20.4%) had a significantly higher unemployment rate than men (15.4%). Black women also had a higher unemployment rate than Black men (18.6% vs 15.1%).
  • Participation rateIn July, as the continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions allowed Canadians to return to restaurants and outdoor patios, employment rose by 101,000 (+12.3%) in accommodation and food services, the third consecutive monthly increase. Despite these gains, employment in the industry was only 74.9% of its February level. The number of people employed in retail trade grew by 91,000 (+4.6%) in July, bringing employment to 92.7% of its February level.
  • In Ontario, employment rose by 151,000 (+2.2%) in July, building on an increase of 378,000 in June and bringing employment to 91.7% of its pre-pandemic February level.
  • In the St. Catharines-Niagara CMA (which does not include Grimsby or West Lincoln), the unemployment rate eased from 12.9% in June to 12.4% in July. The local unemployment rate in July 2019 was 5.6%. Labour force participation increased from 54.1% to 55.3%, still below the 2019 level of 58.2%. The employment rate increased from 47.1% in June to 48.4%, against a July 2019 figure of 54.9%. The local youth unemployment rate is 31.3%, and of those re-entering the local labour force, 4,000 were men, and 1,700 were women. Out of 6,900 new or restored jobs in Niagara since June, 6,200 were full-time. Local data, unlike national and provincial data, is based on a 3-month moving average, and is seasonally adjusted. This tends to smooth out seasonal swings and to “pull” the latest data closer to figures seen in the preceding two months.

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: August 6th, 2020

August 6, 2020 | Daily Update

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 is investing $1.5 million through the new Tourism Economic Development Recovery Fund and offering promotional incentives at provincial attractions to help the province’s tourism industry and welcome back visitors after the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will support projects that develop innovative tourism products and experiences, drive private sector tourism investments, workforce development, and support tourism operators to learn more through tourism industry associations.
  • This summer, frontline workers are eligible for 2-for-1 admission at all Niagara Parks‘ attractions, heritage sites and the Falls Incline Railway every Thursday, as well as 10 per cent off all culinary and retail purchases until September 7, 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: August 5th, 2020

August 5, 2020 | Daily Update

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 is investing $83 million through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to provide grants to help eligible non-profit organizations recover from COVID-19 and continue the delivery of vital programming in their communities. Interested organizations can get more information at otf.ca. 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 COVID-19 with support for:
    • Equipping board members and employees with supports to implement new approaches, prepare for change and build resiliency (e.g. organizational training and coaching, strategic planning and implementation, research & development, mental and physical health and wellbeing supports);
    • Improving and increasing ability to access financial resources and develop new and/or alternative sources of revenues (e.g. develop fundraising plans, identify fundraising and financial technology resources, seek opportunities for public-private partnerships and social finance);
    • Adapting or re-imagining the delivery of programs and services to meet the needs of the community, employees and volunteers (e.g. identify new health and safety processes and required personal protective equipment, technology supports, staffing and volunteer recruitment and training);
    • Procuring equipment or renovating spaces to meet the changing needs of the organization, its programs and services, and adapt to new ways of working (e.g. equipment and/or renovations to meet changing technology health and safety, and service delivery requirements); and
    • Creating and/or adopting new approaches for organizations to work together to meet the needs of communities (e.g. peer learning, professional development, networking, resource, knowledge and data sharing).
  • The federal government has entered two agreements to secure millions of doses of potential COVID-19 vaccines. Both companies began Phase 3 clinical trials of their vaccine candidates in the last week, and are expected to deliver vaccines for the public in 2021. The government has not confirmed how many doses it has negotiated for or how much it is paying, as it is currently in negotiations with other national and international firms to purchase other vaccines.
  • Health Canada is recalling 51 hand sanitizers, which it advises consumers to stop using immediately. The sanitizers contain “unacceptable types” of ethanol or denaturants which can pose a health hazard. Health Canada provides an approved list of hand sanitizers. Under mask bylaws, businesses are required to provide hand sanitizer at public entrances and exits to their premises. We recommend choosing sanitizers from the Health Canada approved list for the safety of your customers and staff.

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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Niagara Health’s new temporary COVID-19 Assessment Centre opened today for hospitality and tourism staff

August 5, 2020 | COVID-19 Member News, Members in the News

 Niagara Health’s new temporary drive-through COVID-19 Assessment Centre opened this morning, in the parking lot at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls, for testing hospitality and tourism employees. 

The organization is reminding the public that appointments are required to be tested; the centre cannot accommodate walk-ins or friends and family members of the hospitality and tourism workers at this location. 

Appointments can be made directly through the employees’ workplace manager or by emailing Anastasia Belashov at Niagara Falls Tourism at abelashov@niagarafallstourism.com. Appointments are being scheduled daily between the following hours: 8 a.m. to noon; 12:35 p.m. to 4:55 p.m.; and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

High patient volumes have caused a recent spike in wait times at the three Assessment Centres in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Welland, sometimes lasting up to two hours for walk-ins. In response, Niagara Health has opened this new temporary centre working with our partners – City of Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Tourism and the Scotiabank Convention Centre. 

The Assessment Centres located in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines are open daily Monday through Sunday and the centre in Welland is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. All three centres are open during the following hours on the days of operation: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Members of the public can book an appointment for testing by calling 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19). These three Assessment Centres will accept walk-ins until 4 p.m.; however, due to high patient volumes the quickest and most efficient way to be tested is to book an appointment in advance. 

More information can be found on the Niagara Health website here. 

Media Contact:
Lisa Pepperall, Communications Specialist
(905) 378-4647 ext. 47576
lisa.pepperall@niagarahealth.on.ca 

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COVID-19 Business Update: August 4th, 2020

August 4, 2020 | Daily Update

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:

  • On July 31st, the governments of Ontario and Canada extended the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses by one month to help eligible small business pay rent for August. To find out how much rent support you may be eligible for, visit Ontario.ca/rentassistance. As of July 30, 2020, 63,000 small business tenants have been supported, representing over 616,000 employees, for a total of over $613 million in rent support. Additionally, CMHC is working with large property owners to help provide CECRA to more than 20,000 small businesses.
  • Those who qualified for the CECRA based on existing program parameters will be able to apply soon for the additional one month based on having a 70 per cent revenue decline for April, May and June, without reassessing whether they continue to have a 70 per cent revenue decline in July or August. Participation in the one-month extension is voluntary. Both existing applicants to the CECRA and new applicants are able to opt for the August rent reduction. This program is designed to support businesses that have been hit hard by the pandemic while encouraging them to reopen when possible.
  • Existing applicants need to reapply for the month of August and have until September 14, 2020 to do so. New applicants have the choice of applying for the three-month initial period, four months or five months, but need to do so by the original date of August 31, 2020. Eligible small business tenants are businesses that are paying less than $50,000 per month in gross rent in a given location, with annual revenues of less than $20 million (at the ultimate parent level), and who have experienced at least a 70 per cent drop in pre-COVID-19 revenues on average for April, May and June.

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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