COVID-19 Update: August 28, 2020

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues, 

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

  • Temporary policy extension: hours of liquor service for retail stores

  • Province introduces new measures to enforce COVID-19 public safety

  • ABLE BC Member Benefit Program: new ATMs available from VI Banking

  • Help shape the future of go2HR: complete the employer survey

  • BCHA and TIABC Webinar on September 2: Hospitality & Tourism Update

  • COVID-19 Psychological Support Toolkit for Workers and Employers

  • ABLE BC in the news

  • Reminder: Serving it Right expires on September 15

  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Q&A on August 31

Find all past updates from ABLE BC here.

As always, if you have any additional questions or need to reach us you can email: jeff@ablebc.ca or danielle@ablebc.ca.

Temporary policy extension: hours of liquor service for retail stores

On August 26, the LCRB released Policy Directive 20-24: Extension of temporary hours of sale and delivery.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the LCRB temporarily extended the hours of liquor service for Licensee Retail Stores, Wine Stores and Special Wine Stores, and Manufacturer Onsite Store endorsements to no earlier than 7:00 am and end no later than 11:00 pm.

These extended hours were intended to assist retailers in implementing the Provincial Health Officer’s orders and recommendations, including in relation to physical distancing and protecting vulnerable populations.

Associated with the extension of hours of liquor service, the LCRB also authorized delivery services to purchase liquor on behalf of a customer from a liquor store or from any licensee authorized to sell in unopened containers, and deliver and sell that liquor to a customer, provided the delivery does not take place between 11:30 pm and 7:00 am.

These terms and conditions came into effect on April 3, 2020 and were set to expire on July 15, 2020. Subsequently, the terms and conditions were further extended to August 31, 2020.

Under Policy Directive 20-24, these authorizations will now expire on January 31, 2021.

For more information, please read Policy Directive 20-24. Find all recent policy changes here.

Province introduces new measures to enforce COVID-19 public safety

On August 21, the Province introduced new measures to enforce COVID-19 public safety.

Police and other provincial enforcement officers are being given the ability to issue $2,000 violation tickets for owners or organizers contravening the provincial health officer’s (PHO) order on gatherings and events.

They will also be able to issue $200 violation tickets to individuals not following the direction of police or enforcement staff at events or who refuse to comply with requests to follow PHO orders or safe operating procedures, or respond with abusive behaviour.  

In addition to enabling action from police, the Province is enlisting compliance and enforcement staff from provincial ministries to support enforcement and help issue tickets for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes liquor, cannabis and gaming inspectors, community safety unit inspectors and conservation officers.

Enforcement Focus: the enforcement focus will be on $2,000 fines to owners, operators and organizers for contraventions of the provincial health officer’s order on gatherings and events. 

This includes hosting a private party or public event in excess of 50 people, failing to provide appropriate hand sanitation and washroom facilities, failing to provide sufficient space in the venue for physical distancing, failing to obtain a list of names and contacts at large event or having more than five guests gathered in a vacation accommodation.

When required, police and other provincial enforcement officers will also be able to actively enforce the order and ticket a series of other infractions, including:

  • $200 violation tickets for individuals who actively encourage others to attend gatherings or events that do not comply with established requirements, or refuse to leave or disperse when directed to do so by enforcement officers

  • $200 violation tickets for individuals who refuse to comply with requests to follow the PHO order or safe operating procedures of a restaurant, bar or other licensed establishment, or respond with abusive behaviour towards employees

If violation tickets do not act as a deterrent, or in cases of particularly egregious contraventions or for repeat offenders, police can recommend charges in relation to the offence. On conviction, judicial penalties of up to $10,000 may be levied.

For more information, please read the BC government news release and backgrounder at the bottom of the release.

Note from ABLE BC: we are pleased to see the Province step up compliance and enforcement during this recent surge in COVID-19 cases, and strongly support the new measures.

We know recent media coverage has unfairly painted our industry as largely to blame for the rise in COVID-19 cases, while it is often actually customers refusing to follow the protocols you have in place.

ABLE BC had asked government to implement fines, in an effort to support operators who are dealing with problematic customers and related issues, like street parties.

We’ll continue to defend our industry in the media and share ‘good news’ stories, but it is vitally important that operators adhere to all COVID-19 protocols and public health order conditions.

For more information please see:

If you have any questions or concerns about the protocols, please contact us: info@ablebc.ca.

ABLE BC Member Benefit Program: new ATMs available from VI Banking

ABLE BC in partnership with VI Banking ATM has negotiated one of the best ATM agreements in the ATM industry exclusively for our members. VI Banking is a true local company with over 13 years experience in the ATM industry.

Our exclusive ATM agreement is no-risk (day-to-day with no fixed term commitment) and high-profit. Earn an extra $1000 monthly. You keep 100% of the surcharge and determine the surcharge amount. Complimentary maintenance and upgrades.

NEW: VI Banking has all new 2020 ATMs and is giving new ATMs to any ABLE BC member that signs an ATM agreement.

Learn more about our exclusive ATM agreement here.

For more information or to sign-up please contact: 
Jeff Stewart, VI Banking President
250-947-5856
jeff.vibanking@gmail.com

Help shape the future of go2HR: complete the employer survey

go2HR is BC’s tourism and hospitality industry human resource and health & safety association.

After a year of transition, go2HR is charting a new course and needs your input on how they can best meet the needs of industry. It is a timely question given the impacts of COVID-19 on the industry and the long, uncertain road ahead. 

Now more than ever, go2HR needs to be supporting businesses on the road to recovery. To inform their future direction, go2HR needs to hear industry’s voice….your voice.

We recognize the value of your time, particular during this pandemic. If you are an employer, we ask for 15 minutes to complete this survey to offer your valuable insights on the key human resource issues facing the industry and how go2HR can best help the industry in dealing with these issues going forward.

TAKE THE SURVEY: https://www.research.net/r/PW3PRVW

Whether or not you are an existing user of their services, go2HR wants to hear from you! The survey is open until September 18, 2020.

Your input will help shape a new strategic plan for go2HR that will be shared in the new year.

go2HR is working with Qatalyst Research Group. Any information you provide will be compiled by Qatalyst, held confidential and reported only in summary form with the responses of other participants. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact info@go2HR.ca.

BCHA and TIABC Webinar on September 2: Hospitality & Tourism Update

TIABC and the BCHA are hosting a webinar and open forum on September 2 to outline the key issues and provide a reality check on the tourism and hospitality industry, their key messages, and ways we can coordinate and work together towards recovery.

Learn more and register here.

Webinar Details: 

  • What: Tourism and Hospitality Update hosted by BCHA and TIABC

  • Date: Wednesday, September 2

  • Time: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm PT

Register here. A Zoom link will be sent to you with meeting details the day prior to the webinar.

COVID-19 Psychological Support Toolkit for Workers and Employers

Psychological health & wellness is increasingly being recognized as a key priority in the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only exacerbated concerns around employees’ physical wellbeing, it has also significantly impacted their psychological wellbeing. 

Personal health and finance concerns, job security concerns, and reduced social interactions are creating anxieties in the workplace like never before.

A lack of understanding of the issues at hand, and the resources available, often makes it difficult for employers to address these concerns before they cause lasting damage. 

go2HR is pleased to support a new Psychological Support Toolkit for Workers and Employers: COVID-19, which was developed by the BC Municipal Safety Association (BCMSA) in partnership with workplace mental health expert Diana Vissers, Work to Wellness. 

Within this FREE and comprehensive toolkit, users have access to: 

  • 5 Part Virtual Summit bringing together industry experts to create an intimate dialogue on their recommendations in light of COVID-19

  • Information packs, checklists, and other resources designed to better equip you or your co-workers to mitigate the psychological impacts of COVID-19

  • Online discussion forum where you can offer support, encouragement, and share your experiences with managing your stress and anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic

For more information and to access the toolkit, please visit the go2HR website. 

ABLE BC in the news

ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard speaks regularly with media on how COVID-19 has impacted BC’s hospitality industry and the work our industry is doing to operate safely:

  • Globe and Mail: BC clubs, bars revamp operations to align with provincial COVID-19 rules

Reminder: Serving it Right certifications expire on September 15

A reminder for you and your staff: for individuals who have a Serving it Right card with no given expiry date (issued before September 15, 2015), these SIR certificates will now all expire September 15, 2020.

If you received your SIR after September 15, 2015, the expiry date will appear on your certificate 5 years after issue. 

Recertifications can be done here.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Q&A on August 31

With the extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) until December, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is hosting interactive question and answer sessions for eligible employers on the CEWS. These sessions will respond to general questions about the CEWS and provide resources needed to apply.

The final session #22 takes place on August 31 at 10:00 am. 

If you are interested in participating, please email Matthew Hohnsbehn and indicate you would like to attend session #22. A confirmation email will be sent containing the WebEx link and other important information.
For more information on the CEWS, please click here.

Ann Brydle