Global skills strategy 2 weeks processing from outside Canada (but can't leave Canada at the moment)

[frasts]

Hi all,
I am already in Canada on a eta visa and I have a work contract ready to start in May (as a post-doctoral researcher). I am eligible for the 2 weeks processing through the global skills strategy (I already did this 3 years ago for my first contract), if I apply from outside Canada.
I was originally planning to go back to Europe for a couple of weeks, apply, and come back and start working. Now with the current situation I can't leave Canada, but if I apply from within Canada, processing times are currently minimum 3 months (or longer given the situation), which would leave me here unemployed for a few months.
Any idea if there are exceptions to this with the current situation and I could apply from within Canada and still get the 2 weeks processing? I also need biometrics which now is suspended. Who could I contact otherwise? I tried my national embassy but they redirected me to the immigration canada website.
Thanks!

 

[Matthew Iwama]

@frasts What country are you from?

 

[frasts]

Italy.
I have contacted immigration Canada but they only deal with ongoing applications which is not my case.

 

[canuck78]

Even if you applied from abroad processing times may be longer due to covid and never guaranteed to be 2 weeks. 2 weeks is an estimate.

 

[frasts]

Thanks, last time it was done in 3 days. I know two weeks is only an estimate, but much better than the now estimated four months.
I still have not solved this issue despite trying to contact multiple embassies/immigration/consulate/provincial and federal bureau, etc.