Dear Members,
This weekend was challenging.
The past twelve months have been exhausting for all of us.
As your Chamber, we are here for you and we will get through these discouraging times, together.
In light of yesterday’s announcement of the Modified Red Restricted Measures for PEI, we wanted to provide email updates surrounding government announcements and resources as we navigate through this three-day lockdown and circuit breaker period.
These new restrictions are tough for our business community and all Islanders. The recent clusters of cases reinforce how critical it is for everyone to follow public health protocols. With that, we understand that this decision was necessary to get ahead of the evolving situation.
To view our official statement on the Modified Red Restricted Measures, click here.
Is your organization or industry experiencing any significant gaps in funding/support through the lockdown and circuit breaker? Please let us know so we can better advocate on your behalf to the provincial government. Call or email us and we will try to address your concerns.
How will this Modified Red Alert Level impact your business?
- Essential services may serve the public in person.
- For essential retail, 50% of the standard operating capacity of the retail space, and monitor entrances and exits to ensure that capacity is not exceeded.
- No in-person consumption of food and beverage at food premises and licensed facilities – take-out, drive-through, and delivery only with enhanced precautions.
- Non-essential services are able to operate by phone, virtual services, delivery, or pick-up.
To view all restrictions being enforced, click here.
To find out whether or not your business is considered an essential service, click here.
To view the updated potential exposure site list, click here.
Business supports in place during the lockdown
- Review federal support programs such as CEWS, CERS, CEBA, HASCAP, and the RRRF here.
- Further, Lockdown Support under the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy offers an additional 25% of rent support to qualifying organizations that have been significantly restricted due to a mandatory public health order.
- The combined effect of the rent subsidy and the Lockdown Support is that hard-hit businesses, non-profits and charities subject to a lockdown can receive rent support of up to 90%.
- Review provincial business support programs offered by the Government of PEI here.
Employee supports in place during the lockdown
- For employees who were laid off as a result of the lockdown and unable to receive Employment Insurance, the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) is available.
- For employees or self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) is available for up to two weeks of support.
- If employees contracted COVID-19 at work (based on the balance of evidence) – workers would be eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits.
- Unable to access childcare due to school or centre closures – Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit.
- Employment Standards also does provide for emergency leave in emergency situations.
The Chamber is expecting further information from the provincial government later today regarding any new business and employment supports for those impacted during this time.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact myself or our Policy and Communications Manager Sam MacPhail at smacphail@charlottetownchamber.com or (902) 628-2000 x 224.
Stay safe everyone.
Sincerely,
Penny Walsh-McGuire, CEO
Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce
pwmcguire@charlottetownchamber.com