Pubs and other BC businesses affected by pandemic closures to receive more help | The Canadian News

More financial aid is on the way for businesses in British Columbia that are forced to stay closed for at least another month as the province tries to contain the distribution of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

A statement from the Ministry of Employment, Economic Recovery and Innovation said businesses including event venues, bars, nightclubs and lounges that do not serve full meals qualify for grants of up to $ 20,000, based on staff levels.

The funds, which double the amount available to those businesses, can be claimed through the provincial COVID-19 closure assistance grant.

Businesses ordered by the provincial health officer to stay closed until at least February 16 are eligible for the larger amount, while those allowed to reopen can claim up to $ 10,000.

The province says the $ 4 million expansion of the grant program complements existing federal assistance, including the local closure program and the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit, which provides wage, rent or income support to those affected by pandemic-related closures.

Ravi Kahlon, the minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation, says the province has increased funding because some sectors are still affected by public health measures.

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The Omicron variant also enforces service changes in the Northern, Home and Island Health authorities. All three announced adjustments in anticipation of staff shortages and an increase in patients due to a spate of COVID-19 infections.

Each authority has postponed operations while Island and Interior Health relocate staff in an effort to maintain safe patient care.

Interior Health says in a news release that it has closed inpatient services at health centers in Clearwater, Invermere and Lillooet to stabilize emergency departments. It says those affected by the closures will be contacted. On Vancouver Island, staffing levels at major emergency care sites are being sharpened by relocating ambulatory and surgical workers to critical demand areas, Island Health says.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has warned that a peak of COVID-19 patients will arrive in hospitals this week after infections in the community spread earlier this month.

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