Update on COVID-19: Additional Measures Introduced to Help Businesses, Seniors, and Vulnerable Nova Scotians

New measures were announced today to help support businesses, seniors and vulnerable citizens, and others under the current circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Measures for businesses:
• Retail and commercial landlords are strongly encouraged to defer lease payments for the next three months for businesses that had to close directly due to the public health order. Landlords who do so and grant such businesses a three-month deferral can register by April 3 to be able to claim losses of up to $5,000 per month, if the renting business does not continue operating.
• Landlords are not allowed to change locks or seize the property of businesses who cannot pay rent if the business closed directly because of COVID-19 public health orders.

Measures for seniors and vulnerable Nova Scotians:
• Up to 800 iPads will be distributed across the province to long-term care homes beginning in April so that residents can connect with family and friends.
• Through a partnership with Telus, 100 phones and calling plans are being provided to most-vulnerable clients who have no other means of communication and who may be self-isolated alone at a cost of $50,000 for the phones and $5,000 per month for the calling plans.
• $200,000 is being invested to support transition houses and other organizations that serve vulnerable women and children.
• $55,000 is being invested to support 12 smaller community food banks.
• The hours of the toll-free line for income assistance supports will be extended soon, including weekends.

Other measures:
• Beginning on March 30th, restaurants will be allowed to include alcohol purchases with takeout and delivery orders as long as the alcohol cost is not more than three times the value of food ordered.
• An amendment to the health protection order now allows veterinarians to provide virtual care, prescription refills and in-patient urgent or emergency services.