N.S. extends paid sick leave program ‘while COVID is still very active’

Nova Scotia is extending its paid sick leave program by more than a month, as COVID-19 cases continue to climb in the province forcing many to stay off the job.

Nova Scotia is extending its paid sick leave program by more than a month, as COVID-19 cases continue to climb in the province.

The program, which offers a maximum payment of $640 per worker, was scheduled to end March 31. It will now be extended until May 7, which means people who took sick days between April 1 and May 7 may be eligible for reimbursement.

The new end date aligns with the end of Canada’s Sickness Recovery Benefit. That federal program is available to employees and self-employed workers who have missed 50 per cent of more of their scheduled work week because of COVID-19.

“Nova Scotians know how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at work, and we’re happy to support them in making the right decisions,” said Premier Tim Houston in a release.

“We continue to listen to Nova Scotians and remain focused on keeping workplaces safe. Extending the program supports this objective.”

The COVID-19 paid sick leave program was first launched in May 2021 and covered sick days from May 10 to July 31, 2021 — resulting in about $600,000 that was paid out. The program was relaunched in December 2021, as cases surged due to the Omicron variant.

It is open to all employers and self-employed workers, and covers wages up to a maximum of $20 per hour or $160 per day.

People who miss less than 50 per cent of their scheduled work time in a one-week period can apply if they need to self-isolate because of exposure to COVID-19, being a close contact, or because they feel symptoms and need to get tested.