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Omicron COVID-19 Variant

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Federal Support Coming For Struggling Businesses

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The federal government is temporarily expanding eligibility to programs such as the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit and the Local Lockdown Program.

Employers and workers can apply if they are subject to capacity-limiting restrictions.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said everyone must do what it takes so all Canadians are protected and can weather the storm.

“We’re gonna be there for the hard-hit regions for specific sectors like art and culture, hospitality and arts and tourism. We’ll be there to you and your family safe. We’re going to work closely with the provinces and territories,” Trudeau said.

Trudeau said there is enough booster vaccine supply for anyone who wants the shot to get it.

He says 85-million rapid tests were delivered to provinces and territories by early December and another 35-million were being sent out this month.

The prime minister added booster shots will help in the fight against Omicron.

He urged Canadians to follow public health guidelines to protect their loved ones and support healthcare workers.

He understands we are tired of COVID and we want it to just go away.

“Know that there are people more tired than you. Our healthcare workers haven’t had much of a break over the last two years. They’ve been going flat out keeping people safe working in long-term care homes, hospitals and clinics, administering vaccines and boosters,” Trudeau said.

Trudeau noted his own office is not immune from the Omicron variant as members of his staff and security detail tested positive recently.

 

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Ontario Now Testing For The Omicron Variant

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Ontario’s Chief Medical of Health says they have contacted over 375 people that have returned from seven countries in southern Africa.

That after two positive cases of the Omicron variant were discovered over the weekend in the Ottawa area.

Dr. Kieran Moore says their goal is to make sure they limit the spread of the variant.

“So it is complex. It involves international, national, provincial, and local partnerships, but from my vantage point it is working and has worked all weekend in a seamless fashion,”

Dr. Moore says they are awaiting tests from four more people to find out if they have the Omicron variant.

“We are investigating other cases so I would not be surprised if we find more in Ontario because we have a very robust surveillance system…a great testing capacity.”

Dr. Moore says the two positive cases for the Omicron variant flew into the airport in Montreal from Nigeria and were tested there.

 

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South Africa Travel Ban Until January 31st

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Canada is putting a stop to travellers that come from South Africa.

Federal Officials made the announcement Friday in response to the growth of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of COVID-19.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra and Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos laid out the measures, which includes an immediate quarantine and proof of a negative COVID-19 test for anyone who has travelled through southern Africa in the last 14 days.

Canadians and other permanent residents returning to the country must take a negative COVID-19 test in the third country and will also be tested in Canada.

The measures will be in place until Monday, January 31, 2022.