UPDATES FROM TASK FORCE CHAIRS
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This morning, our Richmond COVID-19 Community Task Force (RCCTF) hosted its tenth teleconference meeting.
Richmond is beginning to reopen. We are encouraged to see many businesses and organizations now ready to reopen safely, maintaining physical distancing and hygiene guidelines set out by our health authorities.
As the situation continues to evolve rapidly, we will continue to meet and update you regularly.
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Task Force Co-Chairs:
Fan Chun (Chair, Richmond Chamber of Commerce) and Mayor Malcolm Brodie (City of Richmond)
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UPDATE FROM VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH
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Dr. Meena Dawar, Medical Health Officer with Vancouver Coastal Health shared:
- Epidemiology: As of yesterday, 2,530 cases reported in BC. Of these 894 were reported in VCH and approximately 80% have recovered and discontinued isolation. The number of cases reported on a daily basis continues to decline with very low level of virus transmission detected in the community.
- Richmond Hospital Outbreak: The Richmond Hospital outbreak was declared over yesterday.
Resources:
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UPDATE FROM THE CITY OF RICHMOND
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Mayor Malcolm Brodie and Senior City staff shared:
Restoring Richmond Plan: Beginning May 20, Phase One of the Restoring Richmond Plan was enacted. Step 1 is characterized by the restoration of public access to most outdoor park amenities and indoor tennis with limits on group size.
Expedited Temporary Patio Program
:
The Expedited Temporary Patio Permit program for restaurants, cafes and pubs was approved by Council on May 25. The application form and program guidelines are being finalized and will be published to the City of Richmond website soon. For now, any businesses interested in installing a temporary patio can contact the Business Support Center (604-276-4114 or
businesshelp@richmond.ca
) to learn more and apply.
Promotion of Harvest Season for Richmond Farmers: Richmond farmers are now able to take advantage of the community sign program (seasonal signage for no more than 1 month placed on City property with permission) to promote harvest season.
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UPDATE FROM RICHMOND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Matt Pitcairn, President & CEO shared:
Expanded/ Improved Programs for Business:
- The Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program opened for applications on Monday. The Chamber will be following this closely and its utility for struggling local businesses.
- The expansion to the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) criteria now covers many more contractors and sole proprietors who were previously excluded.
Certificates of Origin:
- Demand has increased for the Chamber's Certificate of Origin services, signifying the summer agricultural harvest season. The Chamber has increased in-office service to three days a week to keep up with this export demand.
Resources:
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UPDATE FROM VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY (YVR)
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Anne Murray, YVR's Vice President of Airline Business Development and Public Affairs, provided the following update:
YVR is pleased to welcome the City of Richmond’s new nominee
Dan Nomura to our Board of Directors
. Mr. Nomura is President of the Canadian Fishing Company (Canfisco), which operates a fully integrated, sustainable seafood business including fishing, processing and sales. In addition to his extensive leadership experience in the industry, he is active in the community serving on the Board of the Richmond Olympic Oval and previously on the Board of the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre.
COVID-19 Recovery & Restart:
- We are pleased to see that McArthurGlen Designer Outlet reopened last week. YVR owns a 50% investment in the Designer Outlet Centre.
- Air Canada announced its new summer schedule with nearly 100 destinations. The announcement also included the airline’s expanded flexible booking and cancellation policies.
- For April and May, we are up about 30% year over year in terms of cargo related flight movements. Cargo demand continues to increase for inbound medical supplies. For example, Xiamen Airlines will be operating mini-freighters to and from Xiamen 20 times a week in June. CargoJet will also operate their freighter aircraft nine times a week to Tokyo/Narita.
Supporting Local Businesses:
While COVID-19 continues to have a significant impact on YVR, we are working closely with our Sea Island business partners to provide support. YVR continues to monitor all government relief options, including the Government of Canada's commercial rent subsidy program. Our efforts are focused on returning YVR to expanded service levels in a safe and efficient manner to ensure we get back to generating revenue, supporting local businesses and the region.
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UPDATE FROM RICHMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT 38
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Sc
ott Robinson with Richmond School District 38 shared that:
- We’ve seen a gradual increase in the number of students in schools since the beginning of the month from roughly 50 students district-wide at the end of April to approximately 600 students in schools this week
- We surveyed our entire parent community this past week regarding whether they intend to send their children to school starting June 1st and we’ve heard back from 88% of parents across the district
- As of yesterday, roughly 36% of respondents had indicated they will be sending their child to school starting June 1 so we’ve been hard at work planning for that
- School principals and district staff have spent the past few days organizing two schools within each school – one for students who will be attending part time and one for students who will be remaining at home for continued remote learning
- Students who attend onsite as well as those who stay at home may be taught by their regular classroom teacher or by another teacher depending on which teachers have indicated they’re able to come back to school and also depending on the number of students who will be returning at each grade level
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UPDATE FROM TOURISM RICHMOND
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Nancy Small, CEO of Tourism Richmond shared that:
- This is Tourism Week in BC and Canada – an oddly timed week that happens every year. Typically, a celebration – this year a different tone given the devastating impact that COVID has had on our industry. However, as we move into Phase 3 with the province hopefully next week – in province travel will be allowed and we will do everything we can to get Richmond on everyone’s list!
- We are working on creating messaging within our Pacific. Authentic. Brand and will be creating a marketing campaign that will be consistent with what our new traveler will be looking for – likely kicking off in July or when it makes sense.
- Our hotels will continue to be working with new guidelines- everyone is responding accordingly and is very motivated to be ready.
- Working in step with partners at the City and other attractions and businesses to understand what will be open and how it will be open – so we can promote accordingly and ensure we are driving visitors to the right places. Still working on whether the Steveston Visitors Centre will reopen – not sure yet.
- WeAreRichmondBC.com has launched successfully. Our team has collaborated to support businesses and residents.
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MLA John Yap shared an update on behalf of his colleagues, Jas Johal, Teresa Wat, and Linda Reid. They are working on:
- ICBC driver testing – when it will resume.
- BC Parks have been reopened and are now available for reservations. There was huge pent up demand and the reservation system could not keep up. People can now make reservations to go camping
- We have been issuing almost weekly letters to the government to provide encouragement and suggestions for the safe reopening of the province.
- The sitting of the legislature will recommence the 15th or 22nd of June. It will be a blend of in-person MLAs in Victoria and in homes or offices. The maximum number of MLAs in the chamber will be 30.
- We are in discussions with the Chamber to host another Zoom Town Hall in June, to engage with RCC members and others.
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MP Kenny Chiu shared updates on behalf of the Richmond MPs:
- This week we processed the PPE shipment I mentioned the other week.
- Air Canada assisted in seeing the equipment safely delivered to MPs in Ontario and Quebec
- I am working to see the BC part of the shipment distributed to organizations in Richmond this week
- We have been engaging constituents with feedback on the application opening to the emergency commercial rent assistance program.
- Many are not satisfied with the landlord requirement and we are planning to address this in parliament when able
- In response to constituents concerned about the border closure, Border closure continues until at least June 21st
- We are also continuing to see concerns about racism
- My office as always is assisting constituent concerns with CERB and the CRA.
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Superintendent Will Ng, Officer in Charge for the Ric
hmond RCMP shared that:
- Residential Break-ins are still low, however there has been an uptick in Commercial Break-ins, mostly to storage lockers at apartment parkades in City Centre;
- An elderly female was reported missing from her townhouse yesterday at Steveston and Railway. The South Fraser Search and Rescue participated in the search. Thankfully she was located inside a neighbour's house this morning safe and sound;
- School liaison officers are preparing for supporting our School District with re-opening our schools on June 1;
- Marine Section have noticed more traffic on our waterways and will be out doing more compliance checks and visibility to prevent tragedies on the water;
- Thank you to VCH home care team members from the Richmond Community Health Access Centre for a moving video to Richmond RCMP;
- No officers have been exposed to COVID this week and none off on self-isolation
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UPDATES FROM RICHMOND FIRE RESCUE
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Chief Tim Wilkinson with Richmond shared that:
- Fire staff are generally healthy, no COVID-19 cases at this time.
- Fire continues with the Restoring Richmond Plan which is going well.
- Building/business Inspections are up and running moving through high priority buildings and businesses
- Emergency operations are available at normal levels
- Training continues at all fire halls as we prepare for the potential of summer outdoor/wildland fires
Resources:
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Richmond Chamber of Commerce
604.278.2822
rcc@richmondchamber.ca
www.RichmondChamber.ca
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