B.C. adds $75 million to fund for businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions

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VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — The province has announced an additional $75 million to support businesses hardest hit by B.C.’s COVID-19 restrictions.

B.C.’s Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant is meant to provide aid to industries impacted by the restrictions first announced last month. Those included a ban on indoor dining, and on indoor, adult group fitness classes. With last week’s announcement of restrictions on non-essential travel, hotels, and other short-term accommodation businesses are now also eligible. All restrictions will remain in place until May 25.

“People in the tourism and hospitality sectors are facing significant challenges as their businesses and livelihood continue to be under extreme pressure from COVID-19,” says Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, in a statement.

“We are providing these supports to ensure these businesses can not only continue to create jobs and drive local economies, but also to protect this province’s legacy as a world-renowned destination when it’s safe to welcome visitors back to B.C.”

The province estimates 20,000 businesses will benefit.

“For many B.C. businesses, the next few weeks will be some of the toughest since the pandemic began,” says Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, in a statement.

“These additional funds will help businesses cover costs like rent and employee wages to help them through this difficult stretch. We hope for better days ahead for B.C. businesses and to be able to have the kind of summer we all want.”

The maximum amount available is $20,000, and how much a business receives is calculated based on how many people it employs. Businesses that applied when the funding was first announced do not have to apply to get a top-up, they will get one automatically. Applications are open until June 4 or until the money has all been distributed.

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