I am not a lawyer, just an applicant like you. Not very knowledgeable either, there are others on the forum with much more experience. But thank you, glad it helps. It was necessary to give biometrics up until now but the exemption was just announced today.
As far as the biometrics thing is concerned, do not worry about that, you are exempted. If you want to still call IRCC for any reason, you can do that between 8-4pm but it's often hard to get through. Keep trying, you'll get through after a few attempts. Usually, I have better luck if I call right around when they open or when they close.
All the best.
p.s. I answered your private message.