COVID-19 Update: November 4, 2021

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

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

  • Reminder: current provincial and regional public health orders

  • Food and Liquor Primaries can sell unmixed drinks with takeout or delivery

  • Updated COVID-19 workplace vaccination policy

  • Indoor mask mandate extended indefinitely

  • Federal proof of vaccination for travellers now available

  • LDB Single Bottle Pick Service Update

  • WorkBC Richmond Tourism and Hospitality Hiring Fair

  • BSAFE Course Updated with Proof of Vaccination Protocol

Find all past COVID-19 updates here.

Reminder: current provincial and regional public health orders

The following provincial public health orders are currently in place: 

The following regional orders are also in place: 

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

Food and Liquor Primaries can sell unmixed drinks with takeout or delivery

Effective October 29, 2021, liquor and food primary licensees are permitted to package and sell unmixed drinks for takeout or delivery with the purchase of a meal, such as a glass of wine, cider, or draft beer, or an unmixed ounce of a spirit.

Maximum single-serving drink sizes specified in the license terms and conditions handbook apply.

The change responds to industry feedback from the Business Technical Advisory Panel and has the support of industry manufacturers following extensive consultation.

This additional choice for consumers builds on other measures government has approved in recent months to benefit liquor and food primaries. Earlier this year, liquor and food primaries were permanently allowed to sell full bottles of wine and spirits as well as mixed drinks packaged in single servings for takeout and delivery with the purchase of a meal.

This change will allow LPs and FPs to offer better value to customers, while focusing on their traditional role of selling individual beverages with meals. 

LPs and FPs are prohibited from acting like, or promoting themselves as, liquor retailers.

For more information, please read Policy Directive 21-21.

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

Updated COVID-19 workplace vaccination policy

Can employers require that employees take the COVID-19 vaccine?

In May 2021, ABLE BC Associate Member and Lawyer Ryan Anderson, from Mathews, Dinsdale & Clarke LLP, offered some guidance for employers wondering whether they can mandate that their employees take the vaccine.

As the matter of vaccination in workplaces has evolved considerably since then, we asked Ryan to update the policy. 

An updated version of the COVID-19 workplace vaccination policy and a sample policy are now available for ABLE BC members. If you did not receive our email on November 2, please contact danielle@ablebc.ca for a copy of the updated policy.

Indoor mask mandate extended indefinitely

On October 29, 2021, the Provincial Health officer extended the mask mandate that requires asks to be worn in all indoor public spaces throughout British Columbia.

The previous order, which was set to expire on October 31, 2021, has been extended to continue to slow the transmission of COVID-19.

Masks are required in all public indoor settings for all people five and older, regardless of vaccination status. These settings include:

  • malls, shopping centres, coffee shops and retail and grocery stores

  • liquor and drug stores

  • airports, city halls, libraries, community and recreation centres;

  • restaurants, pubs and bars (unless seated)

  • on public transportation, in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle

  • areas of office buildings where services to the public are provided

  • common areas of sport and fitness centres when not engaged in physical activity

  • common areas of post-secondary institutions and non-profit organizations

  • inside schools for all K-12 staff, visitors and students

Masks may be removed temporarily in indoor public places:

  • to identify the individual wearing the mask

  • to consume food or beverage at a location designated for this purpose

  • while participating in a sport or fitness activity in a sport facility

  • while receiving a personal or health service that requires the mask to be removed

People who cannot wear a mask or who cannot put on or remove a mask without the assistance of others are exempt. A person may not be able to wear a mask for a psychological, behavioural or health condition or due to a physical, cognitive or mental impairment.

For more information: please read the government news release and updated public health order. 

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

Federal proof of vaccination for travellers now available

British Columbians can now access the Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination for travel. Starting October 30, 2021, this proof of vaccination will be required when travelling in Canada by air, rail or cruise ship.

The Government of Canada has said the federal proof of vaccination can also be used for international travel. Before leaving, all travellers are encouraged to check the Government of Canada’s travel requirements and the requirements of the country to which they are travelling.

As with the BC Vaccine Card, the new federal proof of vaccination can be accessed through Health Gateway, the Ministry of Health’s web service, by phone or in person at most Service BC offices.

For more information on accessing the federal proof of vaccination, click here.

Two doses of any federally approved COVID-19 vaccines, with the second dose administered at least 14 days before travel, are required to be considered fully vaccinated. Canadians who are not fully vaccinated must complete testing requirements and mandatory quarantine when returning to Canada.

BC’s Vaccine Card will continue to be used for non-essential activities in BC, including going to a restaurant or sporting event.

The Government of Canada has also indicated it will allow people in BC to use the BC Vaccine Card to travel within Canada until Nov. 30, 2021, while the new federal proof of vaccination is rolled out.

For more information:

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

LDB Single Bottle Pick Service Update

LDB Wholesale has shared with us the following update, in response to member feedback and requests to reinstate and expand the single bottle pick service (that was suspended at the onset of the global pandemic to mitigate risk to the supply chain):

We appreciate your continued patience and support as LDB Wholesale Operations has focused on protecting the health of our employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining regular inventory and service levels impacted by global supply chain constraints.

Further to the resumption and expansion of limited bottle pick service last year, we are pleased to share that LDB Wholesale Operations will be expanding single bottle pick service to offer a wide selection of 250 products reflecting top selling and premium price point SKUs.

The complete list of all products is posted on the LDB Wholesale Operations website in the Bottle Pick Service section. We will be reminding wholesale customers that the 10% bottle pick rule – as applicable to specific customer types, and outlined in the WCC Order Handbook – will continue to apply.

Bottle pick service was suspended at the onset of the global pandemic to ensure proper physical distancing for employees in the warehouse and to mitigate risk to the supply chain. Since then, LDB Wholesale Operations reinstated limited service.   

Please note that expanding the single bottle pick service selection to a maximum of 250 products will balance efficient distribution centre operations with customer demand and will ensure all wholesale customer orders are picked, assembled and shipped on time during the busy holiday season.   

LDB Wholesale Operations has emailed the attached memo to licensees to advise them of the single bottle pick service expansion rollout and share the complete product list.  O

ur partnerships are very important to us, and we are committed to working with all our industry partners and customers to support their operations. We thank you and your members for your continued cooperation as we work to deliver the services and products our mutual customers rely on.

WorkBC Richmond Tourism and Hospitality Hiring Fair

WorkBC Richmond, the BCHA, and the Richmond Public Library are pleased to connect job seekers and employers for an afternoon of engagement and networking at the Tourism and Hospitality Hiring Fair.

During this in-person, exhibition-format hiring fair, employers will have the opportunity to meet with over 200 candidates to cultivate employment interest, establish connections, and secure skilled workers.

Event Details

  • Thursday, November 25 from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm

  • Richmond Public Library, Brighouse Branch (100-7700 Minoru Gate)

There will be ten 25 minute time slots with a maximum of 20 job seekers per appointment time. A maximum of 10 employers will be in attendance.

Register here. 

For more information please contact:

BSAFE Course Updated with Proof of Vaccination Protocol

go2HR’s COVID-19 health and safety training course BSAFE has been updated to reflect BC proof of vaccination protocol.

Course updates include important information about how to verify vaccination status and handling challenging customer interactions.

Learn more and sign-up for the course here.

Quick BSAFE Facts

  • 450+ organizations and 5300+ participants have already registered for BSAFE and are on their way to becoming BSAFE Trained

  • FREE for all BC tourism and hospitality employers and employees

  • Online training course that is 90 minutes in length

Ann Brydle