COVID-19 updates
To date, there still has been two confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) in Prince Edward Island. Here are some of the updates SaltWire had as of press time Thursday evening. Islanders with questions about COVID-19 can call P.E.I.’s toll-free information line at 1-800-9586400 or visit www.princeedwardisland.ca/coronavirus.
– As of noon on March 17, 2020, front counter service for all police agencies in Prince Edward Island are being scaled back. Until further notice, the following services are suspended: · Elective fingerprinting; · Criminal records checks; and · Vulnerable sector checks;
For the health and safety for Islanders and law enforcement officers, in-person services will change. While the public can continue reporting crimes and non-emergency complaints, some responses may be addressed by phone and Islanders may see officers with additional personal protective equipment such as facemasks.
– To protect its staff, volunteers and clients and to support social distancing and other measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus (COVID19), the Canadian Red Cross is suspending public access to its full-time offices and part-time depots throughout the Atlantic provinces until further notice. Authorized staff and volunteers may continue to work at fulltime locations but there will be no public access.
In P.E.I., the closure affects a full-time office in Charlottetown and two part-time depots at community hospitals in O’Leary and
St. Peters.
– Income relief for the selfemployed available
Innovation P.E.I. has released an appliction for income relief for the self-employed who have been significantly affected by coronavirus. All sectors are available and levels of assistance are maximum $500 per week from March 16 to 29.
To be eligible for this component self-employed individuals must; · Have declared business income on their most recent tax return. · Business income must be their primary source of income.
· Be able to demonstrate direct financial losses resulting from the coronavirus isolation measures at the time of application. · Not be EI eligible or receiving any other income support (ie. Business Interruption Insurance). For more information go to innovationpei.com.