Federal government extends COVID-19 lockdown programs until March

The federal government will continue to support Canadian workers and businesses where provincial and territorial public health restrictions, including capacity restrictions, remain in place. The government intends to propose expanding access, announced on December 22, 2021, by one month, until March 12, 2022.

Key details:

• Local Lockdown Program
Eligibility would continue to include employers subject to capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more, and the current-month revenue decline threshold requirement would remain at 25 per cent. Eligible employers would receive wage and rent subsidies from 25 per cent up to a maximum of 75 per cent, depending on their degree of revenue loss. The 12-month revenue decline test continues to not be required in order to access this support.

• Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit
Eligibility would continue to include workers in regions where capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more are in place. This benefit provides $300 a week in income support to eligible workers affected by a COVID-19-related public health lockdown order, and who are either unable to work or have lost 50 per cent or more of their income as a result.