Farm sector part of emergency child care extension

Farmers and those who support the food and agriculture product supply chains now qualify for a no-cost child care program.

As of Jan. 27, the program will be open to a new list of workers along with several other categories, in addition to other essential workers who were previously eligible.

The program aims to help workers who have to leave home to go to work, but have children who are learning online at home.

New additions to the emergency child care program include:

• Individuals working in fuel distribution and oil refineries;
• Education staff who are required to report to work in person while their children continue with remote learning;
• Grocery store and pharmacy workers;
• Truck drivers;
• Farmers and those who support food or agricultural product supply chains;
• Individuals involved in the collecting, transporting, storing, processing, disposing or recycling of any type of waste; and
• Individuals working in the manufacturing and distribution of disinfectants and sanitizers.

Eligibility can be determined by contacting a local municipality or municipal service system manager.