Travel restrictions are being tightened in most of Saskatchewan’s north to stem the spread of COVID-19, while being loosened in 2 communities. Premier Scott Moe says along with the restrictions announced earlier with no travel from or to the north other than for essential services, travel is now being restricted between northern communities, which is something local leaders had asked for.
La Ronge and Stony Rapids are opting out. That means travel from outside the north is allowed, but you can’t stop in any other area.
To help fund checkpoints, the government is handing over$350-thousand to New North, which is the province’s northern communities association. Another $20-thousand is going to La Loche to help support public safety, food security and educational initiatives around physical distancing and self-isolation. The province also realizes it will be a difficult year for northern outfitters and businesses operating in provincial parks. Amendments to the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment program means these businesses will be eligible for grants up to $5-thousand.
Also outfitters fees for the 2020 season have been waived.
Essential Service Workers Wage Top-Up:
Lower income essential service workers may be eligible for a top up in pay, as they continue to come to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finance Minister Donna Harpauer says the $400 per month temporary benefit is for workers who make less than $25-hundred a month and it’s good for up to 16 weeks, retroactively from March 15th to July 4th.
This is for workers in senior-care facilities including private care homes and home care, licenced childcare facilities, group homes run by community-based organizations, and emergency shelters and transition shelters and it’s for those who make less than $25-hundred a month. Caregivers, cooks and cleaners, both full and part time are eligible.
It’s estimated this supplement can help about 35-thousand lower income workers for a total cost of about $56-million. Around $3-million is from the province and the rest is from the federal government.
