In this issue:
  • BC Government New Release to Restart BC Safely
  • Online Session: COVID-19 WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY
  • Webinar: Planning for recovery: How to restart your business in the wake of COVID-19
  • COMING SOON: Ladysmith-Open for Business Online Directory
  • #CowichanStrong
UPDATES & RESOURCES REGARDING THE COVID-19
BC Government News Release:
Premier Outlines
Plan to Restart BC Safely
British Columbians will move forward with safely restarting their province beginning in mid-May, according to a plan announced by Premier John Horgan.
Under BC’s Restart Plan, government will work closely with public health officials, businesses and labour organizations to lift restrictions in phases, gradually allowing for more social and economic activity, while closely monitoring health information to minimize the risk to the public.
“Our plan puts safety first. British Columbians have made enormous sacrifices so far, and it’s thanks to them that we’re able to begin to lift some restrictions,” Horgan said. “We’ll allow activities to resume as the evidence and experts tell us it is appropriate to do so. By moving carefully and deliberately, we will help British Columbians get to a ‘new normal,’ where more of our social and economic life can resume.”
Restarting economic activity will look different in BC than in other jurisdictions, because only a small number of sectors in the province were closed by public health order. Many other provinces are just now reaching the level of safe operations BC has been able to maintain throughout the pandemic.
BC is currently in Phase 1 of the restart plan. Phase 2, which will begin in mid-May, includes:
  • small social gatherings;
  • a resumption of elective surgeries and regulated health services like physiotherapy, dentistry, chiropractors and in-person counselling;
  • provincial parks open for day use;
  • opening more non-essential businesses in keeping with safe operations plans;
  • recalling the provincial legislature for regular sittings.
Essential businesses that have remained open during the pandemic, so far, have done so safely with the support of WorkSafeBC. Government will build on this successful experience by supporting all businesses as they take steps toward a successful reopening. Sectors that were ordered closed will be asked to work with WorkSafeBC to develop plans to reopen safely. WorkSafeBC is developing industry-specific guidance to help employers bring workers and customers back safely. Any business restarting operations must ensure it is in compliance with the provincial health officer’s orders and in accordance with occupational health and safety guidance provided by WorkSafeBC.
The target date for the start of Phase 3, which will include opening up of additional businesses and services, is between June and September 2020, if transmission rates remain low or in decline.
Phase 4 will only be achieved when the threat of COVID-19 has been significantly diminished through widespread vaccination, broad successful treatments, evidence of community immunity, or the equivalent.
Most provincial parks will reopen, starting May 14, for day-use only. On June 1, many remaining facilities, including campgrounds, will reopen. A small number of parks that attract large crowds, or where reopening would pose a health risk to nearby communities, will remain closed.
A strong emphasis on personal hygiene for all British Columbians, including hand washing, physical distancing and staying at home if you are sick, will be crucial for the success of every phase of the plan.
While BC already has sufficient testing and tracking capacity, by continuing to increase these, government will be able to identify any flare ups in COVID-19 case numbers and address them. This approach will support public safety and confidence.
“Today, we’ve unveiled our plan for a slow and safe restart. We need to be vigilant, to make sure we keep flattening the curve of transmission,” Premier Horgan said. “There is much more to do. But we will get through this pandemic to better days by working together and keeping each other safe.”
For a WorkSafeBC backgrounder, please refer to this document .
For backgrounders on schools and parks, please refer to this document .
Learn More
For more information about BC's Restart Plan, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/restartbc .
COVID-19 WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY
Preventing exposure to COVID-19 at your business
SESSION DATE & TIME
Friday, May 8, 2020
10:00am to 11:00am

COURSE DESCRIPTION
As thoughts begin to turn toward reopening our economy, business owners must ensure their workplace is taking preventative measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Presented by Chris Back from WorkSafeBC, this informative webinar will cover important aspects of ensuring workplace health and safety for employees and customers alike. Topics covered will include COVID-19 transmision and ways to mitigate exposure, use of masks and other physical barriers, as well as best practices in working from home arrangements.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
COVID-19 facts and how to reduce risk of exposure for staff and customers
Rights and responsibilities of employees and employers
Psychological safety, working at home, and employment status considerations
WorkSafeBC claims process, support, and other resources
Planning for recovery: How to restart your business in the wake of COVID-19
May 22, 2020 — 12:00 pm (EDT)

The Canadian economy is gradually reopening after a shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You will need to plan how your business will restart, adapting your operations to meet demand, ensuring your supply chains and managing your financial circumstances. You will also need to put best practices in place to ensure the safety of your employees as they return to work.
Join BDC Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux who will give an economic update and address the expected timeline for different sectors to recover, and other experts who will discuss how to address the new operational and financial challenges that businesses face.
You’ll discover: READ MORE
COMING SOON:
Ladysmith-Open for Business Online Directory
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce and the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association (LDBA) are working hard to promote business recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Consumer awareness and confidence in business practices will be a key component of successful recovery. The Chamber and the LDBA are here to help. 

We are now very pleased to announce that within the next few days there will be an online directory for the community that will highlight all businesses that are open and any practices they are implementing to keep themselves and their customers safe. The Chamber and LDBA will reach out to the business community as soon as the website is live. In the meantime, if you are business owner manager who would like to be included you can get ahead of the curve by emailing the following information to us:
  1. Your business name:
  2. Phone number:
  3. Website and/or Facebook link
  4. Business Hours:
  5. Anything unique about the way you are operating: (For example: shop by appointment, customer limits, curb-side pickup etc.) Please limit your response to 2-3 sentences.
We look forward to working with you and your business as we all try to get back on our feet after this incredible challenge. We Ladysmither’s are a resilient bunch and we’ll get through this … together.
Keeping the Cowichan Valley connected.
Resources, tools and information for businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.
What is #cowichanstrong?
Cowichan businesses now have a new resource tool to support them in this time of economic crisis. The   #cowichanstrong   initiative provides a one-stop source for the Cowichan business community to respond, adapt, and recover from COVID-19.
FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
We sincerely hope that you, your families, your employees, coworkers and all around you are safe and healthy in these extraordinary times. The Ladysmith Chamber has worked hard to monitor the many announcements related to federal, provincial and local responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and make information pertinent to business readily available to you on our website, newsletters and Facebook posts. We have also tried our best to monitor how your businesses have adjusted to the current crisis to make this information available to the public through our Facebook page. (If you have not already Liked and Followed our Page, you may need to do so in order to tag us.)
CHAMBER PARTNERSHIPS
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is proud to work closely with the BC Chamber and local area Chambers
Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre
All upcoming events have been postponed until further notice.
In following the Minister of Health recommendation to practice Social Distancing and to do our part to flatten the curve and keep our team safe, we are primarily working from home. If you need to contact us by telephone, you can call 250-245.2112 (please try, where possible, to restrict your calls to regular business hours) or send an email
33 Roberts Street, PO Box 598 Ladysmith,
BC V9G1A4 Canada
250-245-2112