URGENT: revised Public Health Order effective immediately

Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,

We received some very good news over the weekend. After a week of working with the office of the Provincial Health Officer and LCRB, Dr. Henry released a new public order for licensed establishments. This order took effect July 31 and replaces and repeals the public order released on July 23.

ABLE BC successfully secured several important changes for our industry, reflected in the new public order.

Important changes:

  • Clarity on who the order is for: the public order is for owners and operators of restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, cafeterias and food primary and liquor primary establishments, including pubs, bars, lounges and nightclubs, as well as manufacturing facilities that have tasting rooms and lounges.

  • Clarity on who the order does not apply to: the public order does not apply to events, which are not held in restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, cafeterias or licensed premises, including pubs, bars, lounges, nightclubs and tasting rooms, nor does it apply to meetings or conferences held in hotels or anywhere else.

  • Clarity around rules for manufacturer licenses: patrons do not need to remain seated in a premise with a manufacturer’s license (i.e. do not need to be seated during a tasting). Please see sections 2-6 for more details.

  • Clarity around rules for cafeterias and private clubs: patrons do not need to remain seated in a cafeteria or private club. Please see sections 2-6 for more details.

  • Dance floors must remain closed with physical barriers or occupied with tables. Patrons must not song, engage in Karaoke, or dance on the premises. The new public order also clarifies that jam and open mic sessions must not be held on premises.

  • Extended hours and more events allowed: an event may be hosted between 5:30 am and 11:00 pm on the same day. No more than four events may be hosted in one day on the same premises or in an area of the premises. There must be at least one hour between events during which there are no patrons present to permit cleaning and sanitizing. Please see pages 4-5 for more details.

Please review the full Provincial Health Officer Public Order here.

The amended public order is an example of the Provincial Health Officer and government being very responsive to our industry’s concerns. We thank government for yet again supporting our industry during this crisis.

New public order for gatherings and events

On July 27, the Provincial Health Officer released a new public order for gatherings and events. This order repeals and replaces the order of May 22, 2020 with respect to mass gatherings.

The order applies to persons who organize or attend events at vacation accommodation or other places; it does not apply to food service establishments or licensed premises.

Please review the public order to understand the conditions that must be met when hosting events outside of your licensed premises.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact ABLE BC: 604-688-5560 or info@ablebc.ca.

Ann Brydle