Urgent Update: Super Bowl Sunday

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

With Super Bowl this Sunday, we know there is much confusion and speculation around how your businesses may be impacted – particularly if there will be additional restrictions imposed on licensed establishments and what you are allowed and not allowed to do.

ABLE BC, the BCRFA, and Restaurants Canada have been in regular joint discussions with the Provincial Health Officer and her staff to clarify how licensed establishments can operate during Super Bowl.

We have confirmed: there will be no new restrictions announced for Super Bowl.

However, you must not host or promote anything resembling an “event,” meaning you must treat Super Bowl as any other televised sports game you might routinely display.

Here is how you should be operating on Super Bowl Sunday: 

  • Do not actively promote Super Bowl Sunday and/or any promotions, contests, specials, draws, etc. you may be holding on Sunday

  • Do not have any promotional sales or anything that would make Sunday seem ‘special’ or out of the ordinary (i.e., like an event)

  • Do not have any giveaways, door prizes, raffles, draws, etc.

  • Do not sell advance tickets

  • Do not have an entrance cover charge

During Dr. Henry’s COVID-19 update on Monday and Premier Horgan’s remarks on Tuesday, government has made clear they do not want British Columbians gathering with people outside their household or bubble to watch the Super Bowl – whether it’s at home, in a bar, or in a restaurant.

Operators must also be stringent with following COVID-19 protocols and safety plans.

According to Dr. Henry, “My message to people who are running bars, pubs and restaurants – you have to make sure that you have the important safety provisions in place. WorkSafeBC and our environmental health inspectors will be stepping up their monitoring and enforcement of that, but it’s on us as well.”

To read a full transcript of Dr. Henry’s update, please see TIABC’s newsletter. 

Remember, you must also continue to follow all public health protocols during Super Bowl Sunday, including: 

  • Patrons must be able to maintain a distance of two metres from other patrons unless they are separated by physical barriers

  • Patrons must be assigned to a table, booth, or counter and shown to their seats. Patrons must stay in the seat to which they are assigned, or at which they seat themselves, and must not move from table to table

  • Liquor may only be served to patrons who are seated

  • here must be no more than six patrons seated at a table or booth, even if they belong to the same party

  • You must determine the maximum number of patrons who can be accommodated safely on your premises and monitor that number

  • You must take steps to prevent the congregation of patrons inside and outside your premises

  • Background music, including live solo and live band music, and any other background sounds, including from televisions and electronic sound producing devices, must not be amplified and must be no louder than the volume of normal conversation.

For more information, please see the public order. 

It is clear from Premier Horgan, Dr. Henry, and Health Minister Dix’s responses there are serious concerns about overcrowding and patrons congregating at licensed establishments, not remaining in their seats, and mixing with other groups.

While it is not your responsibility to determine if people are from the same household or bubble, you must follow the protocols above.

We know the majority of our industry is doing an incredible job adhering to the public orders and creating a safe, healthy, and enjoyable environment for patrons and staff. We understand these regulations are incredibly frustrating and damaging to your businesses, but our industry will be under additional scrutiny during Super Bowl Sunday. It is vital that industry works together so customers and workers enjoy a safe Super Bowl.

Abiding by these protocols will help ensure our industry stays open and avoids new or stricter protocols.

If you need help with your COVID-19 safety plan, we encourage you to use go2HR’s free safety plan review service. 

We are in this together and we will make it through to the other side. If you have any other questions, please contact ABLE BC: info@ablebc.ca. 

Ann Brydle