C-19 BULLETIN - February 1, 2021
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Dr. Bonnie Henry Says ‘Hold Off’ on Super Bowl Gatherings in BC
Source: transcript of today's update by Dr. Bonnie Henry
"We know this coming weekend is the Super Bowl weekend, and the following is both Lunar New Year and Family Day. And then, of course, we have spring break coming later in this month and into March. These are occasions when we would normally take some time away or get together with friends and family in our homes, at restaurants or bars, or elsewhere.
Like the December holidays, this year we do need to celebrate safely. We have light on our horizon, but we are not there yet. The vast majority of people in BC know this and have clearly demonstrated then what you know what to do and you do do the right thing.
We know this past weekend, WorkSafeBC was working with Vancouver Coastal Health, with our public health inspectors to enforce the rules and regulations to try and get a handle on some of the areas where we have been seeing surges.
And we know particularly this past weekend, they spent a lot of time in Whistler and a few other areas, making sure that people understood what the restrictions were and why.
What I heard from these reports is that in many cases there were very good plans put in place, but later in the evening, people were coming together in a restaurant that might have the seating and might have the spacing and might have everything done right, but it was very difficult for the owners, for the staff who work there to keep people from congregating. And we know that that's where this virus can be transmitted, and we've seen that in Whistler and in other communities around the province.
We will be providing an update on Friday about the orders, but I am calling on everybody right now, hold off on the Super Bowl celebrations this year. You should not be planning -- whether it's at home, in a bar, a restaurant -- viewings of the Super Bowl.
Reporter: You said a couple minutes ago not to make Super Bowl plans. Does that mean restaurants and bars can continue to operate as they do now, or are some type of restrictions coming?
Dr. Henry: Those are discussions that we're having with the industry. If the restrictions are followed the way that we have them, we know those environments can be safe, so it is both sides here. 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.
We should not be going with a different group every night to a restaurant, we should not be breaking those rules that put staff and restaurant businesses at risk. If we want to be able to safely have these moments to enjoy, then we need to do them different this year and we all have to take responsibility. We're the only province right now where we have been able to keep these businesses open but it's because we have these safety plans in place, and when we start to flout those, that's when we're seeing transmission happen both to staff, and between people in those environments and we've seen some of the enforcement that happened this weekend on Whistler.
So yes, it's safe to watch the Super Bowl, but do it with your household. Do it in a way that doesn't increase the risk to everybody.
Minister Dix: Just to be clear -- many people have Super Bowl or Grey Cup parties in their homes and that is not on this year. This is the year to watch the Super Bowl game with people living in your household, and only those people. Those environments are the wrong environments right now. Occasionally in the past I've attended Super Bowl or Grey Cup parties; they're events that are almost designed for the spread of COVID-19 in the various things that occur at them. In your home this year it's only people in your household. I understand your question about restaurants but in your home no Super Bowl parties.
Dr. Henry: The Stanley Cup finals, which are going to be in July. We'll be in a different place in July. I hope."
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Responding to Difficult Guest Situations
During a Pandemic
Providing positive guest experiences during the time of a pandemic can be challenging at times, especially when some guests are not following businesses’ established Health & Safety protocols.
go2HR has developed a script document for frontline staff to refer to in tough situations. go2HR's team of HR and training experts have developed scenarios which staff could likely encounter in their workplace, and suggested scripts on how to respond to non-compliant guests.
Download the full document here
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EBus Shares Open Letter with Kamloops
When Greyhound ceased service in Western Canada in October of 2018, it is not coincidence that the Ebus service launched on October 31 – the last day of Greyhound. They wanted to ensure that the travel needs were not interrupted for even one day. They quickly responded by expanding their Ebus service in Alberta into British Columbia and establishing Kamloops as their head office in BC.
Ebus celebrated their One Year Anniversary with a small media event and pride in knowing the appetite for their service was real and exceeded expectations. In December of 2019, during the busy Christmas season, they even had to put on several extra buses every day to keep up with travel demand.
Unfortunately, after seeing increasing ridership, expanding schedules, and continuous improvements in customer service, a mere 17 months into the service, Ebus was faced with the most challenging roadblock ever, COVID-19. They had to make the tough – but right – decision to suspend bus services and ask the public to join them in Staying Safely Home.
Once we deemed it safe to do so, Ebus was able to relaunch with their Safely Clean program in place, making masks mandatory at the outset, managing crowding and distancing as much as possible, and used their state-of-the-art electro-static sprayers for a complete clean.
Ebus also recognizes the impact Air Canada’s decision to suspend all flights at Kamloops Airport (YKA) will have on the community. As trusted leaders in the transportation industry, they acknowledge this major change and are here to continue providing safe travel and help fill this void.
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British Columbia Wine Institute
Announces New Name
The British Columbia Wine Institute, the voice of the BC wine industry, has announced that it's changed its name to Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) to better reflect the value-add agriculture, agri-food and growth opportunities of this dynamic industry.
Following the lead of its national organization, recently renamed Wine Growers Canada (WGC), WGBC reflects the organization's deep connection to the land, from the vineyard to the glass, and repositions the BC wine industry and WGBC as the high value agri-food product and economic growth generator it is.
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Destination BC's Commitment
to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Last summer, Destination BC committed to taking a thoughtful approach in defining and setting actions to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organization and in all aspects of their work. In their most recent industry newsletter they share how the organization is following through on their commitment.
The first is an internal audit of their corporate culture. Destination BC wants to be an organization that celebrates diversity; cultivates a culture where everyone feels encouraged to bring their most authentic selves to work; and ensures diverse voices and perspectives are represented in their decision-making, marketing, partnerships, and all aspects of their work.
The second area is an inclusive marketing audit which will help both accurately reflect and celebrate the diversity of all the peoples and voices of British Columbia, including content creators and partners.
The third area identified is foundational learning. This is being provided to all Destination BC staff while the audits are underway and will give their employees a holistic understanding of the importance of DEI for Destination BC.
Learn more at:
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ABLE BC Board of Directors
Call for Nominations
ABLE BC is currently seeking nominations for three director positions: two from Vancouver, Coast and Mountains region, and one from Thompson Okanagan.
To learn more and obtain a nomination form, visit:
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Sport Fishing Institute of BC
2021 Big Spring Raffle
The 2021 SFI Big Spring Raffle is underway. Tickets are only $20/each for your chance to get in on $85,000 in prizes! Less than a month left to the Early Bird draw, tickets are only available online.
Get yours today for a chance to win a great Kingfisher Boat, Yamaha Motor and Scotty downriggers Grand prize, trips to Langara Fishing Adventures, Coastal Springs Lodge, Nootka Marine Adventures, and on the Fraser River with BC Sportfishing Group. Early Bird prizes include an Islander TR3 Reel provided by Duncanby Lodge and a Stanley beverage package.
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TIABC Welcomes New Members
As a membership organization, TIABC relies on the support of our DMO, Sector Association and Business partners. We are pleased to welcome our newest members:
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Coastal Wilderness Adventures offers freshwater, saltwater and fly fishing trips in Campbell River and Nootka Sound.
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Pacific Destination Services is a strategic, award-winning event production and top destination management company in Western Canada.
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Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort is a family-owned and operated resort, with roots in the wilderness of BC's Great Bear Rainforest.
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Mountain Skills Academy are specialists in the mountain disciplines of Backcountry Skiing, Rock climbing, Ice Climbing, Mountaineering, Hiking, Mountain Safety and Mountain Adventures. Their services include a Mountain School, Mountain Adventures and Guide Services.
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Destinate Group brings together top tourism strategy consultants Canada-wide under one umbrella. They provide opportunities for consultants to work collaboratively to drive value for clients.
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Moments of Levity
As an industry that continues to face enormous challenges during COVID-19, every once in a while it's important to share a laugh, a good story, a beautiful image, or an interesting anecdote to provide moments of levity during this most difficult time. Feel free to share your photos, etc. with TIABC to be published in our C-19 Bulletin each week.
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If you can start the day without caffeine
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people
with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be
grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are
too busy to give you any time,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without alcohol,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
Then You Are Probably The Family Dog
And you thought I was going to get all spiritual.....
Handle every Stressful situation like a dog.
If you can't eat it or play with it,
Pee on it and walk away!
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BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference
TIABC and the BC Hotel Association will be co-hosting the BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference (virtually) during the week of March 8th to 12th.
Stay tuned for more details soon.
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BC Craft Brewers Conference
The BC Craft Brewers Conference brings together key stakeholders from the Canadian craft brewing industry for an annual networking and educational event.
From February 3rd to 5th, brewery staff, brewing students and beer enthusiasts are invited to take part in various virtual educational seminars and keynotes to gear up 2021. The three days are divided into half-day tracks, broken out into Brewing, Marketing & Sales, Operations and Finance.
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Virtual BC Wine Industry Insight Conference 2021
Thursday, March 18th
Mark your calendars for the 2021 BC Wine Industry Insight Conference to be held virtually this year.
Wine Growers British Columbia along with the BC Wine Grape Council, BC Grapegrowers' Association and the BC Wine Authority are once again coming together to provide a forum covering industry-related topics, issues, policies and opportunities that impact your business operations.
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Please join the Tourism Vancouver team for a live, two-part webinar:
1) Business Intelligence – Market and Consumer Insights
Time: 10:00 am to 10:45 am
This session will focus on:
- Current destination performance
- Key indicators of forward-looking demand
- Available traveller research highlights
Presented by: Eugene Chu, Manager, Research & Business Analytics
2) Rebuilding Demand for Vancouver
Time: 10:45 am to 11:30 am
This session will focus on:
- Key insights informing our marketing plans
- Creative concept and upcoming promotional activities
- How your business can align and benefit from upcoming promotions
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Online Training for Businesses
The Building Resilience to Thrive online training program will offer relief to businesses and help mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19.
The Building Resilience to Thrive online training program will offer relief to businesses and help mitigate the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by teaching them how to adapt their business models, re-engage their customers and adjust their workplace cultures. Developed in partnership with the University of Victoria, Gustavson School of Business, this program will have one hour seminars once per week for 6 weeks and will be offered three times until the end of March 2021.
Program curriculum will focus on the three key themes of Strive, Build, and Create.
Seminar topics will be:
- Power of Context – Unconscious Bias
- Emotional Intelligence
- The Power of Coaching in Business
- Hire and manage a diverse team
- Improve experiences for colleagues and customers
- Adapt your service strategy for better outcomes
The final program will be offered on the following date:
Wednesdays at 11am-12pm PST, February 24th to March 31st
Registration for Cohort 3 closes on February 18th at 4pm
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Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country is hosting a virtual town hall discussion with the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. They look forward to covering topics of high interest in the community, and across the country, such as how federal investments are supporting social, green and public transit infrastructure.
Wednesday, February 10th at 2:00pm PT
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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. |
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