COVID-19 Liquor Industry Update: March 18, 2021

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

Here’s what you’ll find inside today’s update:

  • BC’s pubs, bars, and restaurants can sell liquor with takeout and delivery permanently

  • Webinar: COVID-19 crisis communications for BC’s hospitality industry

  • Public Health Order clarifications

  • New video: BC’s bars, pubs, and restaurants are safe to visit. Share with your customers!

  • You’re invited: Monthly Q&A with ABLE BC’s Executive Director on March 25

  • ABLE BC in the media

  • Online grant program expands to support more businesses

  • COVID-19 vaccine rollouts in BC

  • Federal government extends EI and COVID-19 emergency benefits

  • Provincial state of emergency extended, marks one year of BC’s COVID-19 response

Find all past COVID-19 updates here.

BC’s pubs, bars, and restaurants can sell liquor with takeout and delivery permanently

Last week, government announced Liquor and Food Primaries are permanently authorized to sell packaged liquor of all types for off-site consumption with the purchase of a meal for takeout or delivery.

This policy change is intended to provide long-term financial support to the hospitality industry and aid industry recovery from the pandemic. It also fulfills the commitment made in Minister Farnworth’s mandate letter.

The policy was originally set to expire to on March 31, 2021.

The sale and delivery of packaged liquor for off-site consumption continues to be subject to terms and conditions and provisions in the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation. Licensees should be fully aware of these requirements before they commence the sale and delivery of packaged liquor. 

For the purposes of the terms and conditions, the word ‘unopened’ in the regulation means packaged in the container the manufacturer sold the product in.

For more information: 

Reminder: to-go cups and mixed cocktails not allowed

A reminder to all licensees: selling liquor or pre-mixed cocktails in to-go cups or solo cups is currently not allowed.

Selling cocktails or other beverages in “to go” containers contravenes the terms and conditions of your license and will make you subject to possible enforcement action.

Other provinces, such as Ontario, now allow the sale of bottled cocktails to go. We are currently exploring the possibility of allowing this in BC with government.

Positive change through partnership

This policy change comes as a direct result of ongoing advocacy efforts by ABLE BC and the Business Technical Advisory Panel (BTAP).

ABLE BC has been proud to work alongside the BCRFA, BC Craft Brewers Guild, and others as part of BTAP, which was been advising government on liquor policy reforms since 2018 and throughout this COVID crisis.

More policy work underway

Work is underway by government on several other measures identified within BTAP’s report. We will share more information with you as it becomes available.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC: info@ablebc.ca.

Webinar: COVID-19 crisis communications for BC’s hospitality industry

COVID-19 outbreaks are a fact of life for the hospitality industry. What you do and how you communicate with the public and staff in the immediate aftermath has a significant impact on your business. There is a right way and a wrong way to communicate.

Join ABLE BC for a webinar on Wednesday, March 24 at 10:00 am: COVID-19 Crisis Communications for BC’s Hospitality Industry.

Register here. The webinar is free for ABLE BC members and $25 for non-members. 

Not yet a member? Join the association and support the advocacy work we’re doing to help you through this crisis: sign-up here.

The purpose of this 1-hour webinar, led by ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard, is to help you know what to do from a communications perspective – with your staff and customers – if something happens.

Leave with a checklist of the 7 steps to crisis communications and communications templates to support you in case of an outbreak. Jeff will also share tips on how to speak with the media during a crisis and how ABLE BC can help you.

Public Health Order clarifications

As we shared on March 16, the following public health orders were recently updated:

Important updates in the Food and Liquor Serving Premises order: 

  • Anything that is promoted for the purpose of encouraging patrons to attend at a premises to which this Order applies, such as a movie, film, televised sport or other televised event, a live or virtual musical, theatrical or dance performance, a live solo, group or band musical performance, a disc jockey performance or strip dancing, constitutes an event for the purposes of the application of the Gatherings and Events Order.

  • You must not engage in, permit, or promote any of the following with respect to or on your premises:

  • An event that is prohibited under the Gatherings and Events Order

  • The sale of advance tickets

  • An entrance cover charge

  • Door prizes or giveaways

  • Raffles

  • 50/50 draws

  • Decorations which are associated with an event

  • Staff in costumes which are associated with an event

  • Promotion of the sale of food or drink associated with an event

For all conditions, please read the public order. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC: info@ablebc.ca.

Important updates in the Gatherings and Events order: 

Last week, Dr. Henry announced loosened restrictions for outdoor gatherings: up to 10 people can gather outdoors. For example: up to 10 people can gather at a park or beach or in the backyard of a residence. Do not gather with several groups of new people. Stick to the same people.

For clarity: patios and outdoor areas at restaurants, pubs, and bars are not included as places to gather with 10 people at one table. 

The amendment to the Gatherings and Events order (permitting 10 people to gather outdoors) does not supersede the restrictions that remain in place at restaurants and bars, which continue to have a limit of no more than 6 people at a table – indoors or out.

This clarification is now included on the BC province-wide restrictions website and was announced by Dr. Henry during the press conference on March 15.

For more information, please refer to the updated Gatherings and Events public order.

New video: BC’s bars, pubs, and restaurants are safe to visit. Share with your customers!

We are immensely proud of how hard our industry has worked to create safe places for customers to dine out and drink out in British Columbia.

As part of a campaign to encourage people to go out, ABLE BC has partnered with TIABC to produce a video, showing how BC’s hospitality businesses are keeping customers and staff safe during COVID-19.

In this 3-minute video, ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard shares the COVID-19 protocols our industry has in place and what patrons should ‘know before they go’ out.

Help us spread the word: it is safe to dine out and drink out in BC! How you can help:

  1. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Klbst2JSCAQ

  2. Share the video with your staff

  3. Share the video with your customers: post it on your website and social media channels

Suggested caption: It is safe to dine out and drink out in BC! Here’s how we’re keeping customers and staff safe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Klbst2JSCAQ

Watch the other videos in the series:

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact Danielle Leroux (Director of Membership & Communications): danielle@ablebc.ca.

You’re invited: Monthly Q&A with ABLE BC’s Executive Director on March 25

ABLE BC members and industry colleagues are invited to join us at our next monthly Q&A with Executive Director Jeff Guignard: Thursday, March 25 at 10:00 am PT.

RSVP: danielle@ablebc.ca. A Zoom link will be provided once you RSVP.

What to expect during this one-hour meeting:

  • Catch up on anything you’ve missed over the last month

  • Hear directly from our Executive Director about the state of BC’s liquor industry

  • Get an update on our advocacy work and progress

  • Ask questions about liquor policy, regulations, public health orders, and government relations

  • We’ll also be joined by members of ABLE BC’s Board of Directors

The meeting will not be recorded. RSVP: danielle@ablebc.ca.

ABLE BC in the media

ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard and members speak regularly with media about the work our industry is doing to keep customers and staff safe and how our businesses have been impacted by COVID-19.

Recent media includes:

  • Global News: BC bars hope St. Patrick’s Day one of last events severely impacted by COVID-19 protocols

  • CTV News: St. Patrick’s Day rules – BC’s temporary alcohol sales ban in effect at night

  • CBC News: Subdued St. Patrick’s Day expected as BC pubs ordered to stop selling liquor at 8:00 pm

  • Global News: BC recently allowed for outdoor gatherings up to 10 people. Do bar and restaurant patios apply?

Online grant program expands to support more businesses

In response to a high number of applications, the BC government is investing an additional $30 million in the Launch Online Grant program.

The Launch Online Grant program provides up to $7,500 to businesses to help build or expand an e-commerce site to reach more customers and to sustain and grow their business.

The new funding is in addition to the February 2021 announcement of $12 million to support 1,500 businesses to enhance or establish their online presence. Currently, over 3,500 businesses from around the province have applied, demonstrating the need for these supports.

Businesses in the hard-hit tourism sector, like tour operators or hotels, and businesses in the service industry, such as massage therapists, personal trainers or hair stylists, can now access the grants to build or improve their online booking systems.

As part of the eligibility enhancements, 30% of the grant funds will now be reserved for Black, Indigenous and people of colour-owned (BIPOC) businesses, as well as rural businesses. This is expanded from the original 25% of grant funds that were reserved for Indigenous and rural businesses.

As part of the program, successful applicants will work with local BC service providers to complete their online store. Through this model, the grant funding can be reinvested in BC-based marketing and technology companies to generate revenues for local companies and help secure and grow jobs.

For more information on the Launch Online Grant program, including the application process and eligibility, visit: www.launchonline.ca.

COVID-19 vaccine rollouts in BC

Today, the Province announced more than 300,000 frontline workers, including first responders, grocery store employees, and teachers and child care workers, will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations over the coming weeks as BC’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan moves forward ahead of schedule:

Phase 3: April to May 2021

  • People aged 79 to 60 in five-year increments

  • Indigenous peoples 18+

  • People aged 69 to 16 who are clinically extremely vulnerable

  • Priority frontline workers

Phase 4: May to June 2021

  • People aged 59 to 18 in five-year increments

Based on this schedule, everyone who is eligible for a vaccine will have access to a vaccine before July 1, 2021. 

The following frontline workers have been identified:

  • First responders (police, firefighters, emergency transport)

  • K-12 educational staff

  • Childcare staff

  • Grocery store workers

  • Postal workers

  • Bylaw and quarantine officers

  • Manufacturing workers

  • Wholesale and warehousing employees

  • Staff living in congregate housing at places such as ski hills

  • Correctional facilities staff

  • Cross-border transport staff

For more information, please read the government news release.

ABLE BC has requested priority access to vaccines for front-line retail and hospitality staff, which makes obvious sense. Unfortunately, at the moment these groups are not included in government’s front-line worker prioritization. We’ll keep on it and let you know if anything changes.

Federal government extends EI and COVID-19 emergency benefits

The Government of Canada has extended Employment Insurance (EI) and COVID-19 emergency benefits for those who have been impacted by the pandemic.

Today, the federal government said to help workers who have been affected by COVID-19, legislation has been put forward to increase the maximum number of weeks available through EI regular benefits.

Last night, Bill C-24 was passed, so workers claiming EI can access the benefit for up to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims established between September 27, 2020 to September 25, 2021.

Self-employed workers who have opted in to the EI program to access special benefits are also now able to use a 2020 earnings threshold of $5,000, compared to the previous threshold of $7,555 – this change is retroactive for claims established as of January 3, 2021 and applies until September 25, 2021.

In addition to Bill C-24, new regulations increasing the number of weeks available under the Canada Recovery Benefits have come into effect.

This includes an increase in the number of weeks available under the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) by 12 weeks, extending the maximum duration of the benefits from 26 weeks to 38 weeks.

It also includes an increase in the number of weeks available under the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) from two weeks to four weeks. Individuals can access these additional weeks through the Canada Revenue Agency beginning on Thursday.

Also, as part of the legislation, all international travellers who need to quarantine or isolate upon their return to Canada – including people returning from vacation – are ineligible to receive support from any of the recovery benefits for the period of their mandatory quarantine.

Provincial state of emergency extended, marks one year of BC’s COVID-19 response

On March 16, the Province of British Columbia formally extended the provincial state of emergency for the 26th time, marking a year since this declaration was issued in response to COVID-19.

This unprecedented, continued state of emergency allows health and emergency management officials to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act (EPA) to support the Province’s COVID-19 pandemic response.

The state of emergency is extended through the end of the day on March 30, 2021, to allow staff to take the necessary actions to keep British Columbians safe and manage immediate concerns and COVID-19 outbreaks.

This week, the Province marks a year since Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer (PHO), declared a public health emergency in response to COVID-19. The extension of the provincial state of emergency is based on recommendations from B.C.’s health and emergency management officials. The original declaration was made on March 18, 2020, the day after Henry declared a public health emergency.

The Province continues, with the support of police and other enforcement officials, to use measures under the EPA to limit the spread of COVID-19, including issuing tickets for owners, operators and event organizers who host an event or gathering contravening the PHO’s orders.

Ann Brydle