Signs of things returning to normal for people working from home
It's now been more than a year since financial advisor Erin Eagles was, like many Maritimers, sent home to work at the beginning of the pandemic – and although she still spends most of her time working remotely, there are signs things of a return to normal.
"I always give my clients the option of Zoom or in person now, where I wasn't giving them the option of that before because I was overly careful," says Eagles. "Now there's a lot more requests, 'I want to see your face, even if it is wearing a mask in your office'."
With vaccination rates on the rise, rules and restrictions have loosened in the Maritimes – and that means that more people could soon be returning to the office, at least part of the time.
"I think I'll always have an office, how much time I'll spend there might be a little different," says Eagles. "SunLife has enabled us with a lot of tools to do, even life insurance policies and things like that totally online when we couldn't do that before."
But some workers may be uncomfortable with going back to business as usual, which is why chambers of commerce throughout New Brunswick have launched a new initiative – distributing free rapid-test kits to small and medium sized businesses.
"This is designed to really help people to have a little bit higher level of comfort when they're out interacting with people, when they're out interacting with businesses," says CEO of the Saint John region Chamber of Commerce David Duplisea. "It also allows businesses to have that extra level of comfort as well."
An extra level of comfort knowing that they can test asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic workers, catch it early and potentially stop it from spreading inside of an office setting.
It's a program that Duplisea says has already seen a lot of interest.
"There's well over a 100 businesses in the province that have already signed up, so the uptake on it is quite substantial so far," says Duplisea. "We're excited to see where it goes."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.