COVID-19 Update: August 12, 2021
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find inside today’s update:
Last week’s update: what you may have missed
Reminder: additional restrictions for Central Okanagan
Liquor primary licence for sale
Fall 2021 issue of the Quarterly Pour is out
Industry messaging guidance for US visitors
Have your say on BC’s permanent paid sick leave
Reminder: COVID-19 paid sick leave
Surge in participation fuels Digital Marketing Bootcamp expansion
Vax for BC: drop-in vaccination clinics
New skills training funding for BC workers
BC Hospitality Foundation 50/50 raffle ends on August 16
Free COVID-19 rapid tests for businesses
Free webinar on September 1: Lead generation and marketing tips for reopening
You’re invited: Monthly Q&A with ABLE BC’s Executive Director on August 26
Find all past COVID-19 updates here.
Last week’s update: what you may have missed
Missed our last update on Thursday, August 5, 2012? Read it here.
Here’s what you’ll find inside:
Message from ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard
COVID-19 Restrictions for Central Okanagan
Extension of Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy
NEW Workforce Lifeline for Hardest-Hit Tourism Sector
City of Vancouver Survey: Liquor Manufacturer Private Patios
Participate in this go2HR survey and enter into a draw for prizes valued at $1,500
Communicable Disease Prevention Plans: go2HR Resources and Complimentary Review Process
Federal Funding Programs
Hiring in the Fall? Student Work Placement Program
Jump start your team’s skills and support a safer reopening
New Associate Member Order For Me: Beverage Ordering Made Easy
Requesting proof of vaccination from customers
Can employers require that employees take the COVID-19 vaccine?
Reminder: additional restrictions for Central Okanagan
On August 6, 2021, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, Health Minister Adrian Dix, and Interior Health Interim Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Sue Pollock announced new restrictions to combat the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in the Central Okanagan.
This order is aimed at Kelowna, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, Peachland, and Lake Country.
The following restrictions are now in place:
Indoor and outdoor dining is allowed at food and liquor serving premises for groups up to six people and liquor service must stop at 10:00 pm
Casinos may remain open with a COVID-19 safety plan in place
Nightclubs and bars that do not offer full meal service must close (only those establishments with a full meal service may stay open)
Sports and exercise:
Indoor low-intensity group exercise is permitted with reduced capacity
Indoor high-intensity group exercise is not permitted during this time
Gatherings in vacation rentals (including houseboats) are limited to five guests, plus the occupants
Outdoor personal gatherings (e.g., birthday parties, backyard BBQs, block parties) are limited to no more than 50 people, and indoor personal gatherings are limited to five guests or one other household
Indoor organized gatherings and outdoor organized gatherings (e.g., weddings, funerals, seated events) are limited to no more than 50 people with a COVID-19 safety plan in place
Masks remain mandatory for al people age 12 and older in indoor public areas throughout the central Okanagan. Non-essential travel to and from the region should be avoided.
These restrictions remain in place until further notice. Please read the release from Interior Health for more information.
Liquor primary licence for sale
The Liquor Primary licence at the former Highlands Golf Short-Game at 7961 Buchanan Road in Coldstream, British Columbia is for sale. The licence has been renewed until June 2022. The golf course is permanently closed and the 15.1 acre property is for sale.
For more information or if you are interested in purchasing the license please contact:
Barb Mitchell
250-308-4350 or barbara_mitchell@telus.net
Fall 2021 issue of the Quarterly Pour is out
The fall 2021 issue of the Quarterly Pour is out. Read and share with your staff.
Feature articles in this issue:
ABLE BC Industry Update from Executive Director Jeff Guignard
ABLE BC Membership Report from Director of Membership and Communications Danielle Leroux
ABLE BC Member Feature: Day in the Life of a Publican, Marilyn Sanders
Download the full issue here
The Quarterly Pour is the official publication of ABLE BC.
Discounted Advertising
ABLE BC Associate Members receive a 10% discount off print and digital advertising.
Call Joyce Hayne at 1-800-667-0955 or email joyce@emcmarketing.com to discuss strategies to generate new business.
The Quarterly Pour magazine is distributed quarterly to 670 private liquor stores, 220 rural liquor stores and 1860 pubs and bars across BC. This business publication is the official magazine of BC’s Alliance of Beverage Licensees.
See the annual editorial calendar and rates in the 2021 media kit.
Industry messaging guidance for US visitors
Starting August 9, 2021, fully vaccinated US citizens and permanent residents (currently residing in the uS) can enter Canada for leisure travel. If they meet the entry criteria, fully vaccinated travellers will not have to quarantine upon arrival.
Destination BC has created an “Industry Messaging Guidance for US Visitors” document that includes key messaging, information on entry requirements, and a comprehensive FAQ.
Download it here.
There are also suggested content themes, a “Know Before You Go” section, and links to additional information.
Have your say on BC’s permanent paid sick leave
British Columbians are invited to provide input into the development of made-in-BC permanent paid sick leave to support workers and protect workplaces.
In addition to outreach to key stakeholders and Indigenous partners, a public consultation process is now open and can be accessed through government’s engagement site.
There will be two phases of consultation:
Phase 1 (August 5 to September 14) – surveys will gather information from employers and workers on the kinds of paid illness and injury leaves currently provided, and how they are meeting workers’ needs; and
Phase 2 (September 20 to October 25) – informed by the surveys, options will be prepared for various paid sick leave models, including the numbers of paid days and other supports, and will be posted for public feedback and input.
In May 2021, amendments to the Employment Standards Act laid the groundwork for establishing minimum standards for a permanent paid sick leave entitlement. Following the public engagement process, paid sick leave will be established through a regulation, and come into effect on January 1, 2022.
To participate in the consultation process, click here.
For more information on BC’s employment standards, click here.
ABLE BC and the Coalition of BC Businesses (of which ABLE BC is a member) will also be providing a submission on behalf of our membership.
Reminder: COVID-19 paid sick leave
Effective May 20, 2021, employees are entitled to up to 3 days of paid sick leave between May 20 and December 31, 2021 if they are unable to work for any of the following reasons:
Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are following the instructions of a medical health officer or the advice of a doctor or nurse
Are in isolation or quarantine and are acting in accordance with an order of the provincial health officer, an order made under the Quarantine Act (Canada), guidelines from the BC Centre for Disease Control or guidelines from the Public Health Agency of Canada
Employer has directed them not to work due to concern about their exposure to others
There is a reimbursement program that is being administered by WorkSafeBC for employers who do not have an existing sick leave program.
Employers are required to pay workers their full wages (at least an average’s day pay for each day taken) and the province will reimburse employers who don’t have an existing sick leave program up to $200 per day per worker.
You can apply here. Both full-time and part-time employees can take this leave. Find more information here.
Surge in participation fuels Digital Marketing Bootcamp expansion
The Province is helping small and medium-sized businesses adapt to the post-pandemic economy by giving more people the training they need to succeed.
Given its success and high demand, government is providing an additional $2.5 million to add 3,400 more seats to the free Digital Marketing Bootcamp. This addition means that nearly 6,000 people and businesses will have the digital marketing skills they need to access other markets, connect with consumers, and drive their businesses forward, further supporting government’s efforts to build a strong, sustainable recovery.
The Digital Marketing Bootcamp launched November 2020 and offers small and medium-sized businesses the opportunity to take virtual or online courses anywhere in the province.
The Digital Marketing Bootcamp, valued at $6,000 per seat, is offered to small and medium-sized businesses at no cost.
The bootcamp provides participants with a foundation in digital marketing, including search-engine optimization (SEO), paid advertising, analytics, content marketing and other tools.
To learn more about the Digital Marketing Bootcamp and to register, visit: https://alacritycanada.com/online-digital-marketing-bootcamp/
The program is open until March 31, 2022 to small and medium-sized businesses with one to 149 employees. To be eligible, a business must be BC-based and registered to do business in BC.
Vax for BC: drop-in vaccination clinics
If you haven’t got vaccinated yet or if it’s been more than 28 days since your first dose, make an appointment now or visit a drop-in, mobile or special event clinic.
Find a vaccine event in your community: Search by community to find a drop-in event near you on this BC government website. Events are organized by each health authority.
New skills training funding for BC workers
British Columbians whose jobs have been affected by COVID-19, and people facing barriers to employment, can get new skills training and job opportunities through new training projects.
This investment is part of BC’s Economic Recovery Plan to help thousands of people up-skill or re-skill and find their place in the post-COVID economy. Funding of $95 million is being allocated to organizations around BC to provide skills training and employment services and supports for over 9,000 British Columbians.
Skills training providers, service organizations, and industry employers are providing opportunities via three province-wide funding streams, including:
Community Workforce Response Grant program: $33 million to train 3,700 British Columbians affected by COVID-19 for in-demand work and jobs with changing skill requirements
The BC Employer Training Grant program: $2.8 million to train British Columbians who are, or were, working in sectors that have been affected by COVID-19, and to support training for persons with disabilities
Skills Training for Employment programs: $59.2 million for 117 new agreements that will provide skills training leading to employment, along with relevant wraparound supports, to 5,200 British Columbians in 2021-2022
Owners and Operators: If you are an employer seeking funding to train new or existing staff, see the BC Employer Training Grant.
BC Hospitality Foundation 50/50 raffle ends on August 16
Take are on sale for the BC Hospitality Foundation’s first ever online 50/50 raffle. Purchase tickets here.
The raffle starts with a $1000 jackpot and increases with every ticket purchased until sales close on August 16, 2021. The initiative is a fundraiser for the BC Hospitality Foundation – the only charity of its kind in Canada, with a mission of supporting hospitality and tourism workers in need.
5 for $10
20 for $20
150 for $40
The winning name will be drawn at noon on August 17. Please support our hospitality and tourism sector by purchasing tickets and spreading the word about the raffle among your friends, family, and colleagues!
Funds raised by the event will be used by the BCHF to support hospitality industry workers facing financial crisis due to a serious health condition experienced by themselves or a family member. The registered charity also administers a scholarship program that fosters the development of the next generation of hospitality industry workers and leaders.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Free COVID-19 rapid tests for businesses
The Government of Canada, some provincial/territorial governments and distribution partners are providing free rapid COVID-19 tests to organizations. These tests are to be used for regular workplace screening of employees.
Businesses and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply. For more information and to apply, please click here.
Free webinar on September 1: Lead generation and marketing tips for reopening
ABLE BC and Ballistic Arts invite you to join us for a free webinar on Wednesday, September 1 at 10:00 am PT: Lead Generation and Marketing Tips for Reopening.
At last! British Columbia and the rest of Canada are opening back up. That’s great news, but how are you going to best take advantage of this for your business?
Will you marketing tactics that you used during the lockdown work now that the economy is reemerging?
What new initiatives should you think about and what should you avoid?
Join us on this one-hour webinar ‘Lead Generation and Marketing Tips for BC’s Reopening’ with expert Ted Lau, CEO of award-winning Ballistic Arts, and podcast host of Marketing News Canada.
What you’ll learn:
The big changes in Apple, Facebook, and Google that will affect how you market
What type of cost effective marketing content makes sense for your lead generation efforts
Even more about the Marketing Funnel/Loop and where you need to focus in the reopening
The economy is reopening, are you ready? Register now for the webinar.
If you are unable to attend live, a webinar recording will be sent to everyone registered. Please contact contact Danielle Leroux (Director of Membership and Communications) with any other questions or concerns: danielle@ablebc.ca.
You’re invited: Monthly Q&A with ABLE BC’s Executive Director on August 26
We invite you to join us at our Monthly Q&A with ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard: Thursday, August 26 at 10:00 am PT.
RSVP HERE. A Zoom link will be provided prior to the meeting.
What to expect during this one-hour meeting:
Hear directly from our Executive Director about the state of BC’s liquor industry
Catch up on anything you may have missed over the last month, including changing public health orders, liquor policies, and regulations
Get the results from our recent Hospitality Industry Outlook survey and insight into how BC’s liquor and food primaries are recovering from the pandemic
Update on ABLE BC’s recent meetings with government, 2021 policy priorities, and advocacy work, including vaccine passports, licensee sales, and the labour crisis
We’ll also be joined by members of ABLE BC’s Board of Directors
If you are unable to attend live, a webinar recording will be sent to everyone registered. Please contact contact Danielle Leroux (Director of Membership and Communications) with any other questions or concerns: danielle@ablebc.ca.