Daily COVID-19 Update: May 13, 2020

Government Announces Details Of The Regional Relief And Recovery Fund

Today the government announced the details of the nearly $1 billion in funding being provided to the Regional Development Agencies ($675 million) and the national network of Community Futures Development Corporations ($287 million) with $304.2 million allocated specifically for Western Canada. Within our community, SMEs will be able to apply for support through the Community Futures Network. You can connect with Community Futures Entre-Corp and provide them with contact information so they can connect with you when the application process is ready.

Eligibility 

• Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) located in non-metropolitan regions (all areas served by Community Futures organizations) in Western Canada. 
• The SME must attest to their ineligibility for other federal government COVID-19 support programming such as the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) or the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) 
• The small business must have been viable and not experiencing any liquidity or other financial difficulties as of March 1, 2020. 
• The small business must have experienced a material adverse effect on business operations on or after March 1, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Business established before March 1, 2020. 
• Be a sole proprietorship, partnership (except professional services), corporation, social enterprise, or other similar organization. 

Eligible expenses 

• Operating expenses, payroll and other non-deferrable expenses which are critical to sustain business continuity. 

Repayment terms 

• No interest accrual or principal payments through December 31, 2022 
• If 75% of loan is repaid by December 31, 2022, the remainder of the loan is forgiven 
• Blended principal and interest payments beginning January 1, 2023 and loans must be repaid by December 31, 2025 
• No prepayment penalties 

Find out if you are eligible.

Alberta Getting Ready for Relaunch

Stage one of Alberta’s relaunch strategy puts safety first as restrictions are gradually lifted. Calgary and Brooks will see a slightly more gradual reopening, taking into account higher case numbers in these two communities, to balance public safety with the need to get businesses open and services restored for Albertans.With enhanced testing capacity and contact tracing ability, along with a rapid response plan in place in the event of possible outbreaks, the province is ready to take the first incremental steps to reopen some businesses and services.

Stage one – all areas of Alberta except cities of Calgary and Brooks

With increased infection prevention and control measures to minimize the risk of increased transmission of infections, some businesses and facilities can start to resume operations on May 14 in all areas except the cities of Calgary and Brooks: 

• Retail businesses, such as clothing, furniture and bookstores. All vendors at farmers markets will also be able to operate.
• Museums and art galleries.
• Daycares and out-of-school care with limits on occupancy.
• Hairstyling and barber shops.
• Cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars will be permitted to reopen for table service only at 50 percent capacity.
• Day camps, including summer school, will be permitted with limits on occupancy.
• Post-secondary institutions will continue to deliver courses; however, there will be more flexibility to include in-person delivery once the existing health order prohibiting in-person classes is lifted.
• Places of worship and funeral services, if they follow specific guidance already online.
• The resumption of some scheduled, non-urgent surgeries will continue gradually.
• Regulated health professions are permitted to offer services as long as they continue to follow approved guidelines set by their professional colleges.

In Calgary and Brooks, the relaunch will be gradual over 18 days due to higher COVID-19 case numbers in these communities.

Stage one – cities of Calgary and Brooks

Opening May 14:

• Retail businesses, such as clothing, furniture and bookstores. All vendors at farmers markets will also be able to operate.
• Museums and art galleries.
• Daycares and out-of-school care with limits on occupancy.
• The resumption of some scheduled, non-urgent surgeries will continue gradually.
• Regulated health professions are permitted to offer services as long as they continue to follow approved guidelines set by their professional colleges.

Opening May 25:

• Hairstyling and barber shops.
• Cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars will be permitted to reopen for table service only at 50 percent capacity.

Opening June 1:

• Day camps, including summer school, will be permitted with limits on occupancy.
• Post-secondary institutions will continue to deliver courses; however, there will be more flexibility to include in-person delivery once the existing health order prohibiting in-person classes is lifted.
• Places of worship and funeral services, if they follow specific guidance already online.

The new alberta.ca/bizconnect web page provides business owners with information on health and safety guidelines for general workplaces, as well as sector-specific guidelines for those able to open in stage one. Businesses allowed to reopen during stage one will be subject to strict infection prevention and control measures, and will be carefully monitored for compliance with public health orders. It will be up to each business operator to determine if they are ready to open and ensure all guidance has been met.

Physical distancing requirements of two metres remain in place through all stages of relaunch and hygiene practices will continue to be required of businesses and individuals, along with instructions for Albertans to stay home when exhibiting symptoms such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose, or sore throat. Albertans are also encouraged to wear non-medical masks when out in public places where keeping a distance of two metres is difficult.

Still not permitted in stage one:

• Gatherings of more than 15 people unless otherwise identified in public health orders or guidance.
• Gatherings of 15 people or fewer must follow personal distancing and other public health guidelines.
• Arts and culture festivals, major sporting events and concerts, all of which involve close physical contact.
• Movie theatres, theatres, pools, recreation centres, arenas, spas, gyms and nightclubs will remain closed.
• Services offered by allied health disciplines like acupuncture and massage therapy.
• Visitors to patients at health-care facilities will continue to be limited; however, outdoor visits are allowed with a designated essential visitor and one other person (a group of up to three people, including the resident), where space permits. However, physical distancing must be practised and all visitors must wear a mask or some other form of face covering.
• In-school classes for kindergarten to Grade 12 students.

Recommendations:

• Travel outside the province is not recommended.
• Remote working is advised where possible.
• Encourage Albertans in Calgary and Brooks to wait to access services upon reopening in their communities rather than travelling for services.
• Albertans are encouraged to download the ABTraceTogether mobile contact tracing app and use it when in public.

Progression to stage two will be determined by the success of stage one, considering health-care system capacity, hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) cases, and infection rates. For more information, visit alberta.ca/RelaunchStrategy or view the press release.