C-19 BULLETIN - May 14, 2020
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P reparing to Re-Open - Guidance from go2HR

A couple of weeks ago, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MTAC) requested tourism and hospitality sectors to develop a set of proposed guidelines on how a business or organization could operate safely in your sector during this pandemic. The  sector guidelines  were meant to consider customers, staff, and supplier safety in your plan for reopening. They will also need to show how the current series of PHO orders and recommendations will be followed, including:
•    prohibition of gatherings of 50 or more people
•    physical distancing of at least 2 metres
•    frequent hand hygiene
•    cleaning and disinfection
•   self-isolation for employees who have symptoms of COVID-19 for a minimum of 10 days (or self-isolation for 14 days if you are returning to Canada).
 
There are two distinct components you need to consider and include your sector plan.
  1. Health and safety practices to protect workers
  2. Health and safety practices to protect guests and supplier
 
Regarding worker safety:  The provincial government has tasked WorkSafeBC with developing  protocols  for sectors to operate safely in the current environment from the employer/worker lens. WorkSafeBC is actively working on sector protocol development in consultation with the sectors and go2HR. WorkSafeBC is collecting existing information, consulting with stakeholders, and developing industry level   protocol resources to support employers returning to operations. WorkSafeBC is working diligently to develop sector guidelines in alignment with BC’s Restart Plan. Protocols will be published as available and needed. Please note – many protocols are common amongst all sectors and there is a host of valuable information is already posted at:
 
To the best of our knowledge, the WorkSafeBC sector protocols under development are organized as outlined below. We also understand from WorkSafeBC that the scope of activities in these sectors and content for these protocols will be updated as more information becomes available.
 
Phase 2 S ectors: r estaurants, cafes, pubs, parks, and museums

Phase 3 Sectors: accommodation and overnight camping
 
Activities involving pools, waterparks, beach facilities, attractions, and outdoor recreation will be reviewed at a later date.
 
Regarding customer and supplier safety : Sectors know their business best and are tasked to develop sector guidelines to submit to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for review and input from the Public Health Office (PHO). Sectors working on guidelines include:
  • BC Hotel Association - accommodations including hotels, motels, B&B, cabins, hostels
  • Adventure Tourism Coalition - adventure tourism
  • BC Lodging and Campground Association - campgrounds and lodges
  • Canada West Ski Area Association - summer operations
  • Restaurants Canada
  • BC Restaurant and Food Service Association
  • BC Golf Alliance - golf 
 
In place of the former Tourism & Hospitality Health & Safety Practices Council , go2HR is supporting various sectors in the development of their Best Practice guidelines to be submitted to MTAC as requested, and liaising with WorkSafeBC on their protocol development. go2HR will be posting WorkSafeBC protocols and sector guidelines on their website for a comprehensive tourism industry snapshot.

Using  WorkSafeBC sector protocols  and  sector developed guidelines for guests and suppliers , businesses will need to create their own  Safe Plan  to demonstrate safe operations for all.
 
WorkSafeBC will also be publishing a suite of COVID tools and resources on their website in the near term. go2HR will also be available to support employers as they build these plans.

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Federal Government Update

Tourism SMEs and DMOs can now apply for assistance funding through their regional economic development agencies through the RRRF program.   

Details can be found at: 
As this is a new program, please let us know if you are encountering difficulties accessing this new program.
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Destination BC Messaging Guide
May 14 - 20

To support industry, Destination BC provides weekly messaging guidance and other materials to industry so we can collectively work together to "plank the curve" of the virus infection rate.

In addition to messaging for Destination BC, guidance is provided for RDMOs, CDMOs, sector associations and businesses.

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Parks Update

Parks Canada
On June 1st, limited visitor access and services will be offered at select national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas.
This means:
  • Starting June 1, visitors will be permitted to access some trails, day use areas, and green spaces at some locations. Until then, all suspensions of visitor services and closures of facilities announced in March remain in place.
  • For their own safety, visitors should not try to access locations that are closed.
  • All camping facilities remain closed until at least June 21st while Parks Canada assesses whether and how these services might resume. Group activities and public events will be prohibited until further notice. All existing reservations set to take place prior to June 21st will be automatically cancelled and refunded in full.
  • Highways and roadways that pass through Parks Canada places will remain open.
On May 14th, BC Parks will start to reopen the majority of provincial parks, protected areas and marine parks. People across the province will have more access to safe outdoor recreation opportunities, while meeting the guidelines of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO).

On May 14th, BC Parks will reopen many front- and back-country trails, beaches, picnic areas, washroom facilities, and boat launches for day-use.

  • Visitor centres, nature houses and concession buildings may be opened on a case-by case basis.
  • In some instances, facilities such as playgrounds, hot springs, halls, and picnic shelters will remain closed.
On June 1st, BC Parks will re-open most provincial campgrounds and back-country camping.
  • To ensure physical distancing, you may notice some changes in campgrounds, including additional spacing between campsites and limitations on the number of guests in campgrounds.
  • Some communal facilities such as shower buildings will open with enhanced cleaning protocols, while campgrounds that require visitors to use shared cooking facilities and backcountry cabins will remain closed.

Parks that attract large crowds will remain closed until it is safe to reopen at a later date. Backcountry campgrounds in some parks with high day use will also remain closed.

Please watch and share the BC Parks video below to encourage staying local and only visiting the parks that are closest to home.
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Road to Recovery: Pulse Check

The third economic impacts “pulse” survey is now live:
 
Like previous ‘pulse-check’ surveys, we’re asking about impacts on BC businesses to date and the accessibility and usefulness of existing government supports. However, this third survey also focusses on   reopening BC’s economy     and the business community’s reaction to BC’s Restart Plan—which was introduced by the Premier on May 6th.
 
By   taking this 4-minute survey  you’re ensuring the voice of business doesn’t fade as we move from crisis and toward recovery.
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Provincial COVID Survey

The BC Centre for Disease Control wants to hear from you as our province plans to ease restrictions while keeping citizens safe, especially those most vulnerable.

Your story, our future  is a population health survey to elicit citizen experience, knowledge and actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey is the first of several activities that will strengthen our pandemic response and our understanding of the impacts of COVID-19 to date (social, economic, mental wellness and community wellness). 

The survey will be open until May 31st. The survey will take 10-15 minutes and can be done online on any tablet, computer or mobile device.

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Women of Recreation, Tourism &
Hospitality (WORTH) Webinars

Worth is hosting a two-part Zoom series about navigating the heightened levels of uncertainty and change that many of us are experiencing today. You will be equipped with tangible tools and ideas to empower you to make this time work to your advantage.

Monday, May 18 at 2:00 pm PT
Making Uncertainty Work For You

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Destination BC Webinars

Destination BC is hosting a series of webinars to support BC’s tourism industry on the road to recovery. This series supports response, recovery, and resilience from COVID-19.

Speaker: Eva Gutsche, Stem Consulting
Tuesday, May 19 @ 2:00 pm PT (60 minutes)

Speaker: Daniel Craig, Reknown
Thursday, May 21 @ 2:00 pm PT (60 minutes)

Speaker: Conner Galway, Junction Consulting
Tuesday, May 26 @ 2:00 pm PT (60 minutes)

Speaker: Conner Galway, Junction Consulting
Thursday, May 28 @ 2:00 pm PT (60 minutes)

Watch the recording of the first webinar in the series, from May 12th:

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Greater Victoria Harbour Authority Town Hall

Join Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) CEO Ian Robertson for a discussion on the status of their operations, the return of cruise to Victoria, and what’s next for their non-profit organization. Robertson will be available to answer your questions following the presentation portion of the session.

Wednesday May 20 @ 11:30 am PT (45 minutes)
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Using STR Data in Times of Crisis and Recovery

Thursday, May 21 @ 11:00 am PT

STR provides premium data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights for global hospitality sectors. STR is working to increase participation in their hotel benchmarking platform to provide organizations like the BC Hotel Association with the information they need to successfully lobby on behalf of their members and create effective marketing strategies to drive tourism. Join STR and the BCHA for their Using STR Data in Times of Crisis and Recovery webinar.
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Small Business BC Webinars

Small Business BC are hosting a series of specialized free webinars to tackle the challenges faced by COVID-19. The webinars are geared at equipping businesses in our province with the skills and knowledge they need to survive the new realities of our COVID economy.

Friday May 22 @ 9:00 am PT

Wednesday May 27 @ 10:00 am PT

Friday June 5 @ 10:30 am PT

To view previous webinars, visit:
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Our industry is full of innovative, caring and helpful people.
Share your stories with us and we will share them here in our daily bulletin.
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Community Collaborations Supporting Business
Support Local BC provides a place for communities and businesses throughout the province to support each other. It connects all regions and is a platform where you can show your love for your favourite local businesses by purchasing gift cards for future use. You can choose businesses in your own community or you can purchase gift cards from other communities to give a family member or friend. supportlocalbc.com
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Feel free to send us your ideas on what information would be valuable for TIABC to share through our COVID-19 Bulletin going forward. Drop us a line at info@tiabc.ca.