COVID-19 Update for June 25, 2020 – All Province
Across the provinces
Here are the latest measures being taken by provinces and territories in response to COVID-19. To date, since the start of the pandemic there have been over 102,000 confirmed cases across Canada.
British Columbia – Premier John Horgan yesterday announced that the province is moving to Phase 3 of BC’s Restart Plan immediately. The new phase gives the go-ahead for accommodation services, BC Parks overnight camping, movie and television production, and in-person classes for K-12 and post-secondary. The government also introduced the Economic Stabilization Act in the Legislature, bringing the BC Emergency Benefit for Workers into law and backdating the eligibility date to March 1, 2020. The legislation also confirms many of the previously announced supports from the COVID-19 Action Plan. Horgan’s government also introduced the COVID-19 Related Measures Act, legislation that allows for the provisions created in response to the pandemic to be formalized and unwound once the province’s State of Emergency ends. That said, the State of Emergency was extended yesterday for the eighth time, now until July 7.
Alberta – The government is making a $10 million investment in targeted serology testing for COVID-19. It will fund two studies measuring COVID-19 antibody prevalence in groups of children in Calgary and Edmonton until 2022, a study testing blood samples across the province, and a test of Albertans aged 45 with the goal of getting a better sense of how many in the province have been exposed to COVID-19. Meanwhile, Health Minister Tyler Shandro today reported that Alberta Health Services is now doing 70% of normal surgery volume, expecting to be on track at 100% by September.
Saskatchewan – The government has announced that the second part of Phase 4 re-opening kicks off on June 29. The government has also made a handful of updates to guidelines in the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, including on parks and campgrounds, outdoor sports, use of non-medical masks for staff in restaurants and personal care services, and locker rooms.
Manitoba – Premier Brian Pallister and his government are offering Manitobans an incentive to curb the federal Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The Manitoba Job Restart Program is offering direct payments, up to $2,000, to help Manitobans return to work. Manitoba’s program provides a single initial payment of $500 followed by three bi-weekly payments of $500 each, for a total of $2,000 over six weeks. To be eligible, participants must voluntarily stop collecting CERB or Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) support and actively return to work to a job requiring at least 30 hours per week in order to receive the first payment.
Ontario – While the state of emergency has been extended until July 15, areas of the Windsor-Essex region are allowed to enter Stage 2 of re-opening effective today. Leamington and Kingsville, hit by a COVID-19 outbreak primarily among migrant farm workers, will be not be allowed to re-open with the rest of the region at this time, leaving them as the only part of the province still in Stage 1. Premier Doug Ford’s three-point plan to help Leamington and Kingsville progress to Stage 2 includes expanded testing on all farms, support for migrant workers who contracted COVID-19 and a new public health guidance for asymptomatic workers.
Québec – The provincial government today issued its last daily update on COVID-19. From now on, updates will be issued on a weekly basis with the next one set for July 2. INSPQ,Québec’s public health institute that has also been issuing daily updates, is also moving to the weekly update. Québec is the province most severely impacted by COVID-19, with nearly 55,000 confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic, representing almost 54% of the national total.
“Atlantic Bubble” – Starting July 3, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador are allowing for an “Atlantic bubble.” While the Atlantic provinces remain more restrictive to interprovincial travelers than other provinces, starting July 3 there will be no self-isolation requirement for travelers coming from another Atlantic province.
New Brunswick – The province remains in the Yellow stage of its re-opening with the exception of the Campbellton area, which will stay in the Orange stage until tomorrow. Beginning tomorrow, all remaining businesses in the province can re-open with appropriate distancing and sanitizing.
Nova Scotia – The provincial government is launching a “Rediscover Nova Scotia” campaign in the hopes of boosting local tourism in the wake of COVID-19’s impact. The marketing campaign involves television, billboard, and digital content.
Prince Edward Island – PEI will be moving to Phase 4 of its re-opening plan tomorrow, allowing for larger organized gatherings, long-term care visitation, the re-opening of personal services businesses and opening accommodations for non-PEI residents.
Newfoundland and Labrador – Newfoundland and Labrador is moving to the next step of its re-opening plan, Alert Level 2, today. Bars and lounges are permitted to re-open with reduced capacity as well as indoor entertainment facilities. Gyms and fitness facilities can open, as can places of worship.
Yukon – Starting July 1, Yukon is lifting some travel restrictions, allowing its residents and those of British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon to enter without needing to isolate for 14 days. July 1 will also see further re-openings, including allowing restaurants to move to 100% capacity and allowing up to 50 people to attend outdoor gatherings.
Northwest Territories – The NWT government has extended both the State of Emergency and Public Health Emergency until July 8.
Nunavut – Nunavut’s Chief Public Health Officer clarified that while Yukon is not requiring residents of Nunavut to isolate on arrival, Nunavut will still require residents returning from Yukon to isolate for 14 days.
We hope you are finding these COVID-19 updates useful. In addition to trying to keep on top of the fast-changing situation, Enterprise is also working to support local charities during these challenging times. If you are able, your contributions to this effort would be deeply appreciated.
To donate, please click on the organization below:
- Toronto – Food Banks Canada
- Thunder Bay – Food Banks North West
- Hamilton/Niagara – Hamilton Food Share
- Alberta – Hope Mission
Many thanks.
Stay safe. Stay healthy.
The Enterprise Team