COVID-19 Update: June 9, 2020
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find in today’s COVID-19 update:
Recap of last week’s updates
BC wineries prepared to reopen across the province
BC Hospitality Foundation: call for online lottery items
New COVID-19 resources from go2HR
Submission on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program
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.
Recap of last week’s COVID-19 updates
Here’s what you may have missed from ABLE BC last week:
BC government issues new order changing federal commercial rent program
Minimum wage increased on June 1
LDB Wholesale update: expansion to limited selection bottle pick service
WorkSafeBC inspections update
City of Vancouver update: Mayor’s advocacy in support of businesses
ABLE BC member discount: Rising Tide Consultants
New and updated COVID-19 signage from ABLE BC
Share your ideas virtually for Budget 2021
Restaurants Canada COVID-19 foodservice survey
Octaform: quick divider panels for COVID-19 response
Update on hospitality pricing: message from Attorney General
Temporary authorization for hospitality customers to sell their existing liquor stock
BC Chamber of Commerce Townhall with WorkSafeBC: June 11
Update from BC Hospitality Foundation: Reconnect 2020 on June 27
Restaurants Canada: Rapid Recovery Series
Drinking in public spaces: North Vancouver and Penticton pilot projects
Find all past ABLE BC updates here.
BC wineries prepared to reopen across the province
On June 8, the BC Wine Institute released the following news release on BC wineries preparing to reopen across the province:
Following the direction of BC’s Restart Plan, and the order of the Provincial Health Officer, the BC wine industry came together to prepare for the careful reopening of wineries across the province with new health and safety protocols in place to welcome local wine enthusiasts back safely and thoughtfully.
On May 14, the BC Wine Institute engaged industry stakeholders in a constructive dialogue around reopening guidelines, and ultimately best practices, specific to the BC wine industry. Together, this input resulted in the development of a BC wine industry Ready to Reopen Toolkit which includes recommended best practices and key messages for wineries to safely reopen hospitality, tasting room and winery guest experiences while complying with government recommendations and ensuring the safety of employees and customers.
“Engagement from industry stakeholders and consultation with WorkSafeBC was key in establishing reopening best practices and recommendations,” said Miles Prodan, President & CEO, BC Wine Institute.
“Our wine industry is diverse and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for all wineries. We believe by engaging industry, together we’ve been able to build upon our industry-leading standards in customer experience and engagement to ensure a careful and safe reopening for BC wineries and the community.”
Some of the Ready to Reopen recommended health and safety guidelines include:
reduced winery capacity
employee training
tasting room reservations
physical distancing guide markers
increased sanitization of customer-contact surfaces and objects
contactless payment options
limiting group booking size
The BC Wine Institute supports the government’s continued efforts to minimize the risk and spread of COVID-19 and will continue to work with industry to ensure a smooth and safe reopening.
In compliance with the BC government’s instruction to avoid non-essential and inter-community travel, this summer the focus for wineries will be on strengthening the connections within their local communities. While online service will continue to serve wine lovers across the country to ensure a safe recovery and a bright, resilient future.
For more information please refer to the Ready to Reopen Winery & Hospitality Best Practices document found in the Ready to Reopen Toolkit, or visit WineBC.com.
BC Hospitality Foundation: call for online lottery items
The BC Hospitality Foundation’s 2020 fundraising plans have changed drastically due to the pandemic – they’ve had to cancel all in-person events for the year. But like everyone else, the BCHF is doing what they can to survive this challenge so they can continue operating in the future.
For the past 3 years, the BCHF has benefited from an online lottery called Hotels to Help (licensed by the BC Lottery Commission) that raised over $55,000. Last year, they launched Wine Country to Help, which raised over $15,000.
This year, the BCHF will have ONE online lottery in mid-September. They are looking for “experiential prizes” with a minimum value of $1000.
Lottery prize donations can be made redeemable for 2021 dates only. The lottery is promoted with press releases and online. The BCHF receives well over 20,000 views of the lottery prizes.
For more information and to donate a lottery prize, please click here.
On June 27 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, the BCHF will also be hosting Reconnect 2020: a hybrid in-person/virtual event to support BC’s meeting, conference, tourism, and hospitality industries.
Learn more about Reconnect 2020 here.
The funds raised by these ventures will be used to support workers in the hospitality industry who are facing financial crisis due to an extraordinary health condition.
Over the past 3 years the BCHF has granted an average of $100,000 annually to our colleagues in need, and in 2020 we have already helped 9 individuals with a total of over $25,000. They anticipate increased requests for assistance in the future.
New COVID-19 resources from go2HR
go2HR has created the following resources to support tourism and hospitality employers during COVID-19:
COVID-19 Workplace Assessment Tool
go2HR’s new COVID-19 Workplace Assessment Tool provides tourism and hospitality employers with information and resources to assist you in developing a robust COVID-19 Safety Plan.
Their tool includes five key steps, which will help you evaluate your current set up in relation to managing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in your workplace, with suggestions on how to improve.
Restarting Operations after COVID-19: Industry Sector Best Practices Guides
To help support tourism and hospitality employers navigate and manage the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace, several industry associations have compiled sector specific guidance, referred to as best practice guides. These guides typically contain useful information and recommendations with regard to departments, roles and job tasks that are common to the particular sector.
go2HR COVID-19 Webinars for Tourism Employers
Tourism employers impacted by COVID-19 are preparing to reopen or expand their services and welcome employees back to work. go2HR is pleased to offer informative and practical webinars focused on key areas of human resources, health and safety and customer service, within the current COVID-19 context.
How to Budget for Training and Access Funding
The cost of your training program will depend on the type of training you require. Many different types of training exist, each varying widely in cost. Before you choose one, know what results you are after. Then, select the training activities that best fit those results and your budget.
Are you reopening and need to hire staff?
As you prepare to ramp up operations or reopen your business, you may need to hire staff again. Remember to post your jobs for FREE on go2HR’s Job Board.
Visit the Job Board.
Submission on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program
As part of the federal government’s recent consultation process on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program, ABLE BC, TIABC, BCHA, and Restaurants Canada provided a joint submission.
Our four associations provided a number of recommendations for government to consider to enable more business and individuals to qualify for CEWS including:
Further extending the CEWS while COVID-19 restrictions remain in place or until businesses get close to reaching their pre-COVID sales
Introduce a smooth scaling of the program that allows businesses to access a proportionately reduced portion of the subsidy as their business revenues grow
Expand eligibility to CEWS to include additional common corporate structures not currently eligible
Read more about our recommendations here.
For more information:
Public Health Agency of Canada Website
Updates from the Government of British Columbia
News Releases from BC Government on COVID-19
Provincial Health Officer Public Health Orders
Updates and Resources from WorkSafeBC
Restaurants, cafes, and pubs: reopening protocols
Updates and Resources from ABLE BC
Liquor and Hospitality Industry Information: EnrichEntrepreneur.com
Human Resources & Occupational Health & Safety Info from go2HR
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC:
604-688-5560 or info@ablebc.ca.