Manitoba Chamber on Phase One and More General Info
May 4th, marked the first day of Manitoba's Phase 1 Recovery Plan. Still unclear of how the Government is looking to open the Manitoban Economy? Click here to view the government's roadmap for recovery guide.
Significant work to limit the spread of COVID-19 must continue, and the requirements will be enforceable under public health orders. Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin laid out guidelines for businesses to maintain physical distancing and support proper sanitization procedures.
1) All businesses are required to limit occupancy to 50 percent of normal business levels or one person per 10 square metres, whichever is lower.
2) Businesses MUST post-pandemic safety signage as required by public health orders. Click here to request a 22-piece toolkit of professionally printed posters and signage FREE OF CHARGE, courtesy of our valued partners at Print Pro.
Very special thanks to Print Pro for offering this generous service to Manitoba businesses. Once you've completed and submitted the online request form, Print Pro will contact you with a slot for a pick-up time at their facility. All pick-ups will be curbside and contactless.
MCC SEEKING PPE PROVIDERS
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce are seeking details about and contact information for local companies able to sell Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Manitoba businesses. If this sounds like your organization, please email us your inventory details and contact info for a special project we're working on.
If your organization is able to re-open in phase one, be sure you're ready to protect staff and customer well-being, and reduce risks associated with COVID-19. The following guidelines apply to all sectors, from restaurants to retail, and from manufacturing facilities to cultural attractions:
1) Employees should self-screen before arriving at work. Use the online tool: https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool
2) Sick employees must stay home. If we are to effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19, ill employees MUST NOT attend the workplace. Now may be a good time to review and update workplace sick policies of you haven't already done so.
3) Educate staff about physical distancing procedures. Staff and customers MUST maintain a space of at least two metres (6 feet) between them, other than during provision of services or brief interactions.
4) Provide physical distancing info to clients. You MUST post external signs indicating COVID-19 physical distancing protocols, along with floor markings where service is provided or lines form. Regulate entry into your business, including lines, to prevent congestion, and maintain a single point of entry.
5) Implement hand sanitization protocols. Hand sanitizer MUST be available at the entrance/exit for staff and visitor use. Provide info to staff about proper 20-second handwashing etiquette.
6) Implement location sanitization protocols. Clean high-touch surfaces such as tills, counters, trays, door handles, telephones, debit machines, etc, with proven disinfectants. You MUST sanitize work/service after each visitor/client and put in place a regimen for sanitization.
7) Focus on washrooms, which require frequent sanitization and a regimen must be in place.
8) Educate staff on proper use of masks. Visitors/clients may wear masks when receiving services, whenever possible. Be sure your employees know the procedures for properly donning, removing, and disposing of masks to prevent contamination.
9) Encourage non-cash payment types. Although you cannot legally decline cash, encourage cashless or contactless payment whenever possible.
Government Policy Updates
FEDERAL
1) NEW! Prime Minister Trudeau, today joined other global leaders to launch the Coronavirus Global Response. This online pledging event aims to initially raise more than $8 billion (USD) to help researchers and innovators develop solutions to test, treat, and protect people, and to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
2) Last week, Trudeau and the premiers released “a set of common principles for restarting the Canadian economy." Among what all provinces and territories have agreed need to be in place: a stabilized number of cases; a health system that can handle new cases and track potential outbreaks; sufficient protective gear for businesses to keep their staff and patrons safe; and an agreement on coordinated travel guidance. Among the provinces taking gradual reopening steps in addition to Manitoba are Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
3) The Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses is an agreement in principle with all provinces and territories to lower rent by 75 per cent for small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19. To be notified by CMHC when the CECRA application process opens, register here.
4) Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) eligibility criteria have been expanded. To access a detailed FAQ about CERB, click here
PROVINCE OF MANITOBA
As of Monday, May 4, public health officials advised the number of lab-confirmed positive and probable cases in Manitoba is at 281, and there have been six COVID-19 related deaths.
1) NEW! The Manitoba Gap Protection Program (MGPP) application process is now open. The province will advance each eligible business the non-interest bearing forgivable MGPP loan of $6,000 -- a loan that will be forgiven on Dec. 31, 2020 -- if the recipient attests at that time the business has not received any major non-repayable COVID-19 federal supports such as CEWS and CEBA or sector-specific grant federal programs developed in response to the pandemic.
2) NEW! All Manitobans returning to work are now eligible to access the temporary child care system to find a location that meets their needs. Families can use the online tool at eswchildcare.ca to view available spaces and then contact centres directly to finalize arrangements. To learn more about all childcare options available to Manitobans at this time: https://manitoba.ca/covid19/infomanitobans/childcare.html
3) NEW! The Summer Student Recovery Jobs Program promotes the hiring of high school and post-secondary students who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides wage subsidies to employers (private and not-for-profit sectors) to employ students aged 15 to 29. In addition to traditional summer jobs, students can help organizations adapt their workplaces and public spaces to the public health requirements of COVID-19.
Employers are eligible to receive a reimbursement of $7 per hour up to a maximum of $5,000 per student employed between May 1 and September 4, 2020.
Employers can be subsidized to hire up to five students.
Payment will be made as a lump sum at the end of the employment period, upon proof of payment of student wages.
Employers cannot receive a wage subsidy for any positions that are already being subsidized by another government program. However, employers receiving government wage subsidies to hire some students can apply to the Summer Student Recovery Jobs Program to hire additional/new students.
To submit an application online: https://forms.gov.mb.ca/ssrjp/
4) May 4 to 10 is the Canadian Mental Health Association's National Mental Health Week. It's important to recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic brings a high level of stress and anxiety as it has been rapidly changing the way we work, socialize and live. Caring for your mental health is so important in these times. If you need support, the Mental Health Virtual Therapy Program is now available for Manitobans ages 16+. If you're under 16, Kids Help Phone is here to help.
NEED HAND SANITIZER?
Order your hand sanitizer now in support of the HSC Foundation at the link below: