The federal government made several key announcements today concerning COVID-19 relief programs, including what’s after the CERB, and virus detection.

The commercial rent subsidy has been extended through the end of August. That program allows businesses with a significant loss in revenue a 75 per cent rent subsidy.

Trudeau also gave an idea of what comes after the CERB (Canada Emergency Response Benefit). He says government will create a transitional benefit to help workers who exhaust emergency pandemic aid and don’t qualify for employment insurance.

The $80-billion Canada Emergency Response Benefit is set to wind down over the coming weeks, with those who are EI-eligible to move onto that separate program.

Trudeau says many people who don’t qualify for the program, such as gig or contract workers, will gain access to a transitional, parallel benefit that is similar to EI.