Premier Dwight Ball says the federal government is doing what it can to mitigate the economic impact of the current COVID-19 situation.

Businesses are seeing an impact from the cancellation of major events as more and more people self-isolate.

He says the federal government has announced $10-billion to support businesses.

Premier Ball says the funding recognizes that the impact to business is coming from government decisions to prevent the spread of illness.

The Premier participated in a conference call with the Prime Minister yesterday in Ottawa. He says an important part of the conversation was about responding quickly and being flexible with the funding because businesses and employees are going to require immediate action.

Government Preparing for Prolonged Adjournment of House of Assembly

The Government House Leader says they are expecting to return to the House of Assembly on March 23rd, however preparations are in place in the event something happens with COVID-19 in the province.

The House has adjourned until March 23rd for a constituency week. Following Thursday’s Question Period, Siobhan Coady brought forward a motion that should something happen over the next week with COVID-19 in the province, the House can remain adjourned.

She says the motion is an abundance of caution should something happen during constituency week, there is a process in place to allow them to stay adjourned, otherwise they would have to return.