Afternoon Update for March 25th, 2020.

NANAIMO —Starting at midnight, all international travellers returning to Canada will be ordered into quarantine for 14 days. The federal minister of Health, Patty Haiju says the only exception is for essential workers who show no symptoms. People who arrive in Canada showing symptoms will also be prevented from using public transit.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau updates the public on Ottawa’s reponse to COVID-19. Photo: Screenshot from live feed. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau updates the public on Ottawa’s reponse to COVID-19.
Photo: Screenshot from live feed.

The House of Commons has passed legislation allowing $82 billion worth of programs to assist Canadians who are out of work, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The measures include a temporary boost to Child Benefit payments. An Emergency Care benefit will give those who qualify for Employment Insurance and the self-employed up to $1800 a month for three and a half months. An Emergency Support Benefit will fund workers who do not qualify for Employment Insurance but who have recently lost their jobs. The Prime Minister says one million Canadians applied for those benefits in the past week. He says once a person is registered, they can expect a cheque within 10 days.

Renters in BC will hear the details of what the provincial government will do to help those who may be facing eviction for non-payment of rent due to the coronavirus outbreak. We will bring you those details on the next News Update at 3 pm.

Starting today, Nanaimo's regional transit system begins its summer level of service. This means reduced service on routes to schools and post-secondary institutions that are closed due to COVID-19. The following routes are affected:

1 Country Club/Downtown
5 Fairview
15 VIU/Woodgrove
20 Hammond Bay to Woodgrove
30 NRGH
40 VIU Express
92 Hammond Bay
11 Lantzville will not divert to Dover Bay Secondary

For details, you can check RDNNextRide.ca or call 250-390-4531

The Nanaimo Beacon, a satirical on-line magazine is hoping to help lessen the boredom of self-isolation by offering a locally produced comic book. "No One is An Island" includes colouring panels of Mayor Leonard Krog and nurses at NRGH. It's a free download on its website, the Nanaimo Beacon.

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Lisa Cordasco

Senior Reporter and News Director — Lisa is responsible for creating the station's first morning news current affairs show on CHLY. She is also deeply involved in training and mentoring student and citizen journalists who volunteer their time at the station. Before joining CHLY, Lisa spent 35 years in various roles at CBC Radio, from host to reporter. Her passion for journalism and radio has led her to Nanaimo, where she intends to provide CHLY listeners with news they can use, in an alternative radio environment. Her other not-so-secret passion is costuming for any occasion.

Have a tip? Email: news@chly.ca Find us on social media at Twitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FM

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