The Manitoba government moved the province to Critical level (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System on Thursday, Nov. 12, in an effort to halt COVID-19 transmission and protect Manitoba's most vulnerable citizens. Updated public health orders came into effect on Nov. 20 to further restrict gatherings at private residences and allow critical retailers to only sell essential items.
Your safety is our priority. We are working to ensure you and your family are informed, and therefore, know how to act in the safest manner possible in our properties in Manitoba. This does not only include information to help you remain safe, but also ways in which you can get the financial help you need during this difficult time.
How do the restrictions impact you?
Effective Nov. 20 the following restrictions were placed upon Manitoba province-wide, and therefore must be adhered to, and followed in and around our properties, where applicable, to ensure the safety of your neighbours.
- A person who resides in a private residence must not permit a person who does not reside in that residence to enter the property or residence. There are some exceptions for those who live alone and for childcare, healthcare, property maintenance and emergencies.
- Gatherings in indoor or outdoor public places are limited to five persons for some specific purposes like weddings, funerals and physically distanced outdoor activities. The fundamentals should still be practiced in these situations, including mask wearing and frequent handwashing.
- Retail businesses must sell only essential items, ensure compliance with capacity limits and implement measures to ensure physical distancing.
- Retailers can continue to sell essential or non-essential items online, by telephone or by remote means for delivery or pick-up.
- Travel to and from northern Manitoba is restricted and non-essential travel is discouraged.
- Other critical services can operate as set out under the public health orders.
- All personal service businesses, including hair salons, barbers and sites offering manicures, pedicures and other esthetic services, must close.
- Gyms and fitness centres must close.
- Religious and cultural gatherings must close or be provided virtually only.
- Restaurants must close to the public and may be open for delivery, drive-thru or takeout only.
- All recreational activities, sports facilities, casinos, museums, galleries, libraries, movie theatres and concert halls must close.
These restrictions are in addition to the existing Health Canada public health measures. Physical distance where possible and wear a mask when not. Wash your hands frequently. Avoid non-essential travel. And, stay home if you're sick and get tested.
Please have comfort in knowing we continue increased cleaning and sanitization of high-touch points in all our Avenue Living Communities properties across Canada. This includes communal door handles, intercom buttons, elevator buttons, and handrails.
We continue to stress and encourage the importance of masks in indoor settings where physical distancing is not possible. We all need to play our part to remain safe. Therefore, we request the use of masks when in common areas and shared spaces within your properties, and mandate that they be worn in all Avenue Living offices. Please see "How to Stay Safe in an Apartment Building During the COVID-19 Pandemic" for more information on staying safe in your property.
What help is there available for you?
This is indeed a challenging time for everyone. Please consider prioritizing remote options where available. To further ensure your safety, we continue to provide digital lease renewals and remote online payment options. Please contact your Leasing Specialist for details on how to use these non-contact options.
Residents with questions about their lease or payment concerns, can contact our Prairie Relief Team during regular operating hours. This team is dedicated to help you navigate a difficult financial time. We are working with each and every one of you to reduce the stress of these trying times.
For residents receiving income on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, we also offer flexible payment terms to suit your income schedule. Please contact our Prairie Relief Team if this adjustment would assist you in any way.
Contact our Prairie Relief Team by:
- Phone at 1-855-247-1492 and press 5 when prompted.
- Email at prairie-relief@avenueliving.ca.
Where can I get financial assistance?
If your workplace has been affected by COVID-19 there is help available. While CERB ended on Oct. 3, you may be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) under new flexible and accessible temporary changes to the program. Alternatively, you may be eligible for one of the new recovery benefits retroactive Sept. 27, 2020, available until Sept. 25, 2021.
EI provides a taxable benefit of $500 a week, or $300 a week for extended parental benefits. EI claimants are eligible for at least 26 weeks.
The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) provides $500 a week up to 26 weeks for workers who have stopped working, are self-employed due to COVID-19, or had their income reduced by at least 50 per cent and are not eligible for EI.
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) provides $500 a week up to a maximum of two weeks for workers who are unable to work at lease 50 per cent of the week because they contracted COVID-19; self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19; or have underlying conditions that would make them susceptible to COVID-19.
The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) provides $500 a week for up to 26 weeks per household to eligible workers unable to work for at least 50 per cent of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or a family member because schools, day-cares or facilities are closed due to COVID-19.
Please visit the applicable pages via the Government of Canada to learn more information about each of these benefits.
We hope this information can prove useful to you. We are in this together, and always here to help should there be anything you need. You can visit our COVID-19 page for further details on how we're ensuring safety in our offices and properties. We need to remain vigilant. Do you part, respect your environment, and respect your neighbours. Stay safe, Manitoba.