On April 3, 2020, the Provincial government announced it would be extending its closure of non-essential business and services. The government will allow these businesses to operate remotely and through alternative forms service delivery including online commerce. It also announced it would be removing a number of business classifications from the list of essential services that can continue to operate and remain open. The new list still allows essential services such as grocery stores and pharmacies to remain open.
The new list continues to recognize a number of disability services related business classifications as “essential services”, including:
- Organizations and providers that deliver home care services or personal support services to seniors and persons with disabilities.
- Businesses that sell, rent or repair assistive/mobility/medical devices, aids and/or supplies.
- Not-for-profit organizations that provide critical personal support services in home or residential services for individuals with physical disabilities.
- Not-for profit organizations that support the provision of food, shelter, safety or protection, and/or social services and other necessities of life to economically disadvantaged and other vulnerable individuals.
We are pleased to see these agencies and their workers being recognized as “essential” during this crisis, and even more pleased to see funding and Emergency Orders being issued in support of these services. To learn more about the new funding and Emergency Order see here.
PooranLaw will continue to monitor any further developments as they relate to ‘essential services’ .
In the meantime, if you have any questions we encourage you to speak with your regular PooranLaw lawyer or any member of our team.
Note: This article provides general information only and does not constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal advice or opinion. PooranLaw Professional Corporation holds the copyright to this article and the article and its contents may not be copied or reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the express permission of PooranLaw Professional Corporation.
