Today, the Province announced that it plans to gradually begin relax health restrictions, and that it has expanded the deadline, eligibility, and payout amounts of the Sector Support Program.
The new public health orders will come into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8 and will remain in place until Tuesday, Feb. 22. Manitoba remains at the Orange (Restricted) level under the Pandemic Response System.
Within the press release, the Province said:
“The changes to public health orders will also allow sports and recreation tournaments to resume, extend liquor sales to 12 a.m. at licensed premises and adjust capacity restrictions in many public spaces.”
Although the press release does not specifically state the change to capacity restrictions for each industry, there is a backgrounder attached that states that capacity limits would remain at 50% and a ten person per table maximum, but the 250 person maximum cap is removed. To view the backgrounder, please visit https://news.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2021/BACKGROUNDER-PHO_FEB._2.pdf
The press release also stated:
“The expansion to the Sector Support Program is expected to flow up to $10.3 million of the $22 million allocated under this program and includes:
- extending the program intake period until Feb. 28, 2022;
- expanding eligibility under the program to include event rentals, catering and photographers; and
- providing a second payment to businesses that have been previously approved and are affected by public health orders in place into February.
Businesses can apply for grants based on the number of employees. With the addition of a second payment, the maximum support available increases to:
- $6,000 for one to nine employees;
- $12,000 for 10 to 19 employees;
- $18,000 for 20 to 49 employees; and
- $24,000 for 50 or more employees.
The Sector Support Program is available to businesses such as restaurants, hotels and bars that provide dine-in food services, fitness and recreation facilities, movie theatres, performance venues and museums. The premier noted that all these applicants will receive two payments if they apply before the Feb. 28 deadline. Event rentals, catering and photographers who apply will be recognized as being impacted by the December public health order and qualify for the new maximum supports. Other eligible businesses who apply for the first time in February will be eligible for the original amounts in recognition of the impact of the current public health orders. More information on the Sector Support Program is available at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/programs/issp.html.”
To view the full press release, please visit: https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=53257&posted=2022-02-02
To view a link to today’s live briefing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0OUzya7omo&list=PLvqXTqcYDg_f0OH5onPMkSwIWhBIjtZ3i
The MRFA is continuing to advocate on behalf of our members and will keep members informed as more information becomes available. We thank everyone who has signed our change.org petition.
