COVID-19 Update: September 24, 2020
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find inside today’s update:
Recap of ABLE BC’s updates
Federal government announces extensions to relief programs
COVID-19 and other signage
ABLE BC in the news
Tourism, Hospitality, and Accommodation Collective say provincial support for recovery a good start
Tutorial videos for Hospitality Product Catalogue now available
Last chance to complete go2HR survey
2021 Preliminary Base Rates released by WorkSafeBC
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 ABLE BC’s updates
Here’s what you may have missed from ABLE BC in the last week:
September 17: New BC Economic Recovery Plan
Last week, government released its new Economic Recovery Plan: Stronger BC for Everyone. The plan outlines the latest steps the provincial government is taking to help people, businesses, and communities recover and come out of COVID-19 stronger and better prepared.
Read our update on September 17 for full details.
September 18: Extension to temporary patios and off-site sales
The provincial government will be extending the following policies:
Extended from October 31, 2020 to October 31, 2021: Temporary Expanded Service Area (such as patios)
Extended from October 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021: Liquor and Food Primary Off-Site Sales (sale and delivery of unopened liquor products with the purchase of a meal for takeaway or delivery)
Read our urgent update on September 18 for full details.
September 18: New Provincial Health Officer public order released
More than a week after Dr. Bonnie Henry issued verbal orders ending on-premise liquor sales at 10 pm, the written public order became available on September 18.
Read our urgent update on September 18 for full details.
September 21: Fall Election called
On Monday, Premier Horgan announced Election Day in BC will be Saturday, October 24, 2020 – almost a full year ahead of the set election date of October 16, 2021. ABLE BC is currently preparing an election toolkit for members, with suggested talking points and questions to ask your local candidates.
Read our urgent update on September 21 for full details.
September 21: New COVID-19 Enforcement Measures
On September 20, BC government announced that the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth is aligning the Province’s ticketing measures with the provincial health officer’s (PHO) updated orders on Food and Liquor Serving Premises and Gatherings and Events, giving police and other provincial enforcement officers the ability to issue violation tickets for contraventions.
Read our urgent update on September 21 for full details.
Federal government announces extensions to relief programs
On September 23, Governor General Julie Payette presented the Throne Speech outlining the federal government’s priorities.
Governor General Payette announced the Government of Canada will launch a campaign to create over one million jobs and restore employment to pre-pandemic levels.
This will be done “by using a range of tools, including direct investments in the social sector and infrastructure, immediate training to quickly skill up workers, and incentives for employers to hire and retain workers”.
The Throne Speech will lead to a vote of confidence in the House of Commons in the coming days and could be key in deciding if Canada will hold a federal election sometime this fall.
Some important announcements in the Throne Speech include:
Extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program through summer 2021
Enhancements to the Canada Emergency Business Account and Business Credit Availability Program
Expanding the Canada Emergency Business Account (interest-free loans of $40,000 for small businesses and non-profits)
Offering more support for sectors that were hard-hit by the pandemic, such as tourism and hospitality
Supporting regional routes for airlines
Helpful Links:
Watch the Throne Speech or read the transcript
COVID-19 and other signage
Did you know we have COVID-19 and other signage in our online store?
Visit ABLE BC’s online store to download free PDF signage:
Please do not enter workplace if you have COVID-19 symptoms
Or purchase laminated signage that will be shipped direct to you:
Smoking (including cannabis) permitted in designated smoking areas
Check photo ID (2020 edition)
Have a signage request? Please contact Danielle: danielle@ablebc.ca.
ABLE BC in the news
ABLE BC’s Executive Director continues to speak to media about the impacts of COVID-19 and changing regulations on your businesses, and the work our industry has been doing to meet or exceed the current stringent public health protocols:
CBC News: Provincial health officer won’t give in to bar industry’s call to reinstate liquor sales after 10:00 pm
Vancouver is Awesome: Despite pleas, BC’s new restrictions on bars, restaurants, and clubs to remain in place
Business in Vancouver: BC’s economic recovery plan targets job creation, tourism sector
Tourism, Hospitality, and Accommodation Collective say provincial support for recovery a good start
Last week, ABLE BC’s Executive Director and other leaders of the largest associations representing tourism, hospitality, and accommodation put out a press release on our response to the new BC economic recovery plan.
In July, more than 40 sector associations signed off on a submission to government requesting $680 million in recovery funds to ensure the visitor economy survives until such time travel, border and other damaging restrictions are lifted and consumer confidence returns.
While the Province’s recovery package stops short of the industry’s request, grants and loans for tourism businesses to address fixed cost expenses, tourism marketing opportunities for regions, and community infrastructure investment for tourism projects will provide much-needed relief in the short-term.
For full details, please read the press release.
Tutorial videos for Hospitality Product Catalogue now available
Two informative and concise tutorial videos are now available to help hospitality customers navigate the hospitality section of the LDB Wholesale website and learn about the user-friendly tools and resources in the Hospitality Product Catalogue.
Video 1 provides a 5-minute overview on the hospitality section of the LDB Wholesale website and resources available such as the price calendar, customer handbooks, FAQs and where to find and register for the Hospitality Product Catalogue.
Video 2 is a 7-minute in-depth tutorial exploring the Hospitality Product Catalogue and explaining how to easily conduct product searches, save selections using the “My Favourites” tool, export search results and navigate the hospitality price list that includes past, current and future pricing.
View the videos and find additional resources for the Hospitality Product Catalogue here.
Last chance to complete go2HR 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. To inform their future direction, go2HR wants to hear industry’s voice – your voice.
We recognize the value of your time, particular during this pandemic. If you are a tourism and hospitality 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.
Whether or not you are an existing user of our services, go2HR wants to hear from you! Last opportunity to provide your input this week.
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.
2021 Preliminary Base Rates released by WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC has released the preliminary base rates for 2021. There is no change in rate for pubs, bars, nightclubs, or lounges ($0.78) or restaurants or dining establishments ($0.79). The rate for overnight and short-term accommodations is increasing from $1.63 to $1.67.
View the full list of rates here.
Employers are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming WorkSafeBC Virtual Rate Consultation Sessions to learn more about the preliminary base rates, injury trends and ways to reduce injuries, claim costs, and their insurance rate.