BC Amends Public Health Orders for Restaurants, Pubs, Bars & Nightclubs |
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On July 31, Dr. Bonnie Henry released an amended public order for licensed establishments, replacing the public order which was released on July 23. These important changes include clarification on which type of businesses are and are not affected by the order, clarifies premises where patrons are required to take assigned seating and to remain seated (which excludes those with manufacturer's licenses, cafeterias, and private clubs), and provides further information on extending hours of events, including a permission for more events to be held in the period of one day provided public health orders are adhered to. |
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BC's State of Emergency Further Extended to August 18 |
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The BC Government has formally extended the provincial state of emergency through to the end of the day on Tuesday August 18, 2020. This extension adds on to the longest state of emergency in provincial history. The extension enables the province to respond quickly to COVID-19 requirements for businesses and individuals, and take the necessary actions to keep British Columbians safe and manage immediate concerns, such as outbreaks. READ MORE
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Suggested Accessibility Practices for your Business During COVID-19 |
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COVID-19 has created significant challenges for many businesses and their customers. As we have moved through the Phases of BC’s Restart Plan we are all working to keep our workers and customers safe. In order to keep our businesses accessible while incorporating new safety protocols, Presidents Group has developed a 'Suggested Accessibility Practices' informational resource to support businesses of all sizes to do their part to combat the spread of COVID-19 while remaining accessible and inclusive.
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Community Futures & TOTA Offer Microloans Through Tourism Resiliency Program |
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The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is collaborating with Community Futures organizations across the region to assist in providing financial support to the tourism sector as part of the Tourism Resiliency Program through the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Micro Loan Program, which will offer micro loans to tourism businesses starting at $200 and up to $25,000. Applicants to the program must be referred to Community Futures by a Tourism Resiliency Program Advisor and terms and conditions specific to each location apply. Click HERE to learn more, register for the program, and connect with an advisor.
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Local Wineries Donate $10,000 to United Way COVID Relief Fund |
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Thanks to the coordination of Frequent Pour Wine Merchants and four of their generous community-spirited winery partners, $10,000 has been donated to United Way’s COVID Relief Fund. The promotion ran for 3 months in local liquor stores with $1 from every wine purchase going towards the program. The program was a success with support from the following wineries: Oliver Twist and River Stone Winery in the South Okanagan and 50th Parallel Estate Winery, and proud Kelowna Chamber member The Vibrant Vine Winery in the Central Okanagan.
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Digitex Delivers - Community Support Through Passion & Creativity |
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As health officials continue to advise us to practice social distancing and self-isolation to curb the spread of COVID-19, more than ever our most vulnerable community members are in need. That's why the team at Digitex came up with the “Digitex Delivers” program. The company is utilizing their fleet of vehicles to offer free delivery services to people in our community in need who cannot leave their homes due to quarantine and require supplies. The service is available from Lake Country to West Kelowna. If you or someone you know is in need of this service, please call them directly at 1-877-DIGITEX (344-4839) or email them at marketing@digitex.ca.
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Federal Infrastructure Program Expands to Support COVID-19 Community Resilience |
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Yesterday, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced adjustments to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, which will provide new steps to help provinces and territories deal with the pressures brought on by the COVID-19 health and economic crisis so that they can use federal funding to act quickly on a wider range of more pandemic-resilient infrastructure projects. For near-term projects, eligibility criteria in the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s other existing streams have also been expanded.
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Statistics Canada Releases May GDP Numbers, 4.5% Growth as Businesses Reopen |
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July 31, Statistics Canada released GDP numbers for May which demonstrate a growth of 4.5% following two months of unprecedented declines and widespread shutdowns. Throughout the month, both goods & services producing industries showed growth. In fact, 17 out of 20 industrial sectors noted increases, including manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, construction, transportation, accommodation and food services, and the public sector.
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Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Extended to August |
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Last week, the Government of Canada announced that the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program is being extended by one month to help eligible small businesses pay August rents. The government encourages property owners to continue to make use of CECRA for eligible tenants, and to work to provide flexibility where possible to their tenants as they recover from the crisis. LEARN MORE.
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Government of Canada's COVID-19 Alert App Now Available |
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The contact tracing app is available for iOS and Android devices and will alert users if they come into contact with anyone who tests positive for COVID-19.
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Webinar: Getting Back To Business - Adapting Your Message With Canada Post |
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As the retail landscape has dramatically changed over the last few months, small businesses have had to navigate challenges they may not have anticipated. Regardless of the scenario, companies had to adapt their business models at the onset of the pandemic and are now faced with the next phase transitioning into ‘business as usual’, where the ‘usual’ has changed. Wednesday August 12 from 10:00am - 11:00am join the Canadian Business Resilience Network and Canada Post as they discuss how to adapt your business, generate renewed brand awareness, and find the right customers.
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KELOWNA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | kelownachamber.org |
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