Thursday, March 26, 2020
Nova Scotia’s Department of Business has shared the following information for businesses regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the Province of Nova Scotia’s response.
At this point, all businesses (except those directed to close by Public Health) can remain open if they can follow the Public Health directives. Businesses must maintain a social distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between clients and customers. If that isn’t possible, clients and customers must not exceed five (5). In addition, businesses must maintain regular cleaning and disinfecting of workplaces and high-touch areas at least twice a day.
Some businesses who can maintain the social distancing requirements can be exempt from the five-person rule. These include grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, construction and manufacturing, transportation including trucking, rail and transit, financial institutions, agri-food and fish plants.
In addition, there are some exemptions for self isolation and self quarantine for healthy workers that cross the Nova Scotia border as part of their work. These include the trade or transportation sectors, offshore workers, workers in agri-food and the fish industry, and those workers who cross the Nova Scotia border on a regular, ongoing basis to travel for work. These individuals must still practice social distancing and self isolate should COVID9-19 symptoms appear.
The best way to stay informed with up to date and accurate information is to regularly visit https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
If COVID-19 is identified as a potential workplace hazard, parties have the duty to develop internal process to reduce risk to their staff. Employees should raise their concerns with their immediate supervisor / manager or Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee.
Those who have specific questions about safe working conditions, and whether Labour and Advanced Education will continue to inspect worksites and schedule technical safety exams, should consult the department’s Safety Branch at: https://novascotia.ca/lae/healthandsafety/ or 1-800-9Labour.
The Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code provides job protection for employees who are unable to perform work due to an emergency as defined under the Code, including the recent Public Health order. For specific questions about pay, job security and layoffs contact Labour and Advanced Education’s Labour Standards Division https://novascotia.ca/lae/employmentrights/ or 1-888-315-0110.
The ability of many businesses and the cultural sector to generate revenue has been negatively impacted by the recent Order and they are left wondering how they will pay their bills. Through the COVID-19 Small Business Rental Deferral Guarantee Program, the provincial government is encouraging landlords to defer payment of commercial leases for three months and spread those payments over the remainder of the lease agreement. Landlords who enter into a rental deferral agreement with their eligible tenants will be able to claim losses of rental income.
To be eligible for the COVID-19 Small Business Rental Deferral Guarantee Program, landlords must register with the Department of Business by April 3.
Landlords can register by emailing NSRentDeferral@novascotia.ca. The rent deferral agreement must be in place by 1 April.
The province is sharing these rent deferral agreements:
To keep cash in the hands of our small business operators, government has implemented a rapid payment process on invoices it receives from small businesses with which we do business. Invoices will be paid within five days, instead of the standard 30 days.
On Friday, March 20, the provincial government announced several initiatives to address cash flow and access to credit for small and medium sized businesses in Nova Scotia.
Payment deferrals until June 30 on all government loans, including those under the Farm Loan Board, Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board, Jobs Fund, Nova Scotia Business Fund, Municipal Finance Corp. and Housing Nova Scotia.
Fees, including business renewal fees and workers compensation premiums, will be deferred. A list of applicable fees will be posted online early next week.
Changes to the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, administered through 15 provincial Credit Unions, include deferring principal and interest payments until June 30 and enhancing the program to make it easier for businesses to access credit up to $500,000. Other changes to this program will be announced soon.
More supports will be announced in the coming days.
Business Navigators are available to help you with any questions you may have. Find out more about the service at https://novascotia.ca/regulatoryopportunity/business-navigators.asp
They can be reached Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm at 1-844-628-7347 , 902-424-4475
or by email BusNavigation@novascotia.ca
Provincial website: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
Government of Canada website: https://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397
Provincial announcements: https://novascotia.ca/news