UPDATES FROM TASK FORCE CHAIRS
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This morning, our Richmond COVID-19 Community Task Force (RCCTF) hosted its twelfth teleconference meeting.
Our focus, and likely yours, remains on the safe resumption of work and life. We're all continuing to put people and their safety first, while balancing the resumption of many activities that make Richmond a great place to live and work.
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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:
- A total of 2659 COVID cases have been reported in BC as of yesterday, including 907 in VCH. Of these, 88 cases were reported in Richmond.
- In general, there is a low level COVID virus circulation in the community. Dr. Henry released data on genetic analysis of circulating COVID virus strains. Vast majority of activity (in particular outbreak activity) has been caused by the European-like/Eastern Canada Strain and Washington State-like virus. The strains are only mildly different in their genetic code and thus a vaccine, when available, is expected to be able to protect against all strains.
- Wide access to testing is important in being able to detect COVID transmission in the community so that appropriate public health interventions can be implemented around the cases and contacts, and to provide an evaluation of the current easing of restrictions.
Resources:
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UPDATE FROM THE CITY OF RICHMOND
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Mayor Malcolm Brodie and Senior City staff shared that many Richmond services are beginning to reopen, including in-person tax payments at City Hall, as well as initiatives like:
Restoring Richmond Plan:
We are continuing to move through the steps, into Step 2 and looking at further openings. In the coming weeks, we will see Britannia Heritage Shipyards open for reduced hours, potentially the opening of outdoor fitness programming, and the ability of some fields to support teams who have their Return to Sport Plans approved. The library is restoring curbside hold pick up and book returns across the system.
Business Resilience Program
: The City of Richmond has launched a
Business Resilience Program
to help local entrepreneurs recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and adapt their businesses so they can emerge from the crisis thriving, and withstand future economic shocks. The program provides businesses with tools and resources from experts including videos, templates and worksheets that can be accessed at the user’s own pace over the next year. Users will also have access to an online community of local entrepreneurs sharing their best practices and ideas, as well as one-on-one support from the City's Economic Development Office.
Resources:
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UPDATE FROM RICHMOND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Matt Pitcairn, President & CEO shared:
- Our focus at the Chamber, as for many of our members, is reopening. We have finalized our plan and are working with members to help create their own plan.
- Sixty-two SMEs from across Canada will each be the deserving recipients of a $10,000 no strings award under the CBRN Small Business Relief Fund made possible through the generosity of Salesforce. The program will open for online applications on June 1.
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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, shared that YVR is starting to see the beginning of recovery with more scheduled flights and passengers returning to the airport.
Air Services Update:
- YVR's airline partners are adding increased flights in June. While the increased capacity is led by Air Canada and Westjet, as well as international airline partners--regional airlines are also increasing capacity. For example, at our south terminal, Pacific Coastal Airlines is returning to service with more scheduled flights June 1 with limited services and enhanced health and safety protocols.
- We are encouraged to see announcements like the Yukon territorial government made last week that it will lift travel restrictions between Yukon and British Columbia in July as it moves into the next phase of its re-opening plan. We are hopeful that other provincial and territorial governments follow and ease travel restrictions to encourage a return to safe non-essential travel and support tourism recovery.
- The Government of Canada has relaxed travel restrictions for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Immediate family members are now able to travel to Canada provided they do not have COVID-19 or exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, and are entering to be with an immediate family member for a period of at least 15 days. Visiting family members are still subject to the 14-day quarantine period.
Cargo Update:
- As economies re-open, we are seeing some increased manufacturing activity in markets such as China. While the volume is still weak compared to pre-COVID-19 trends, we anticipate continued upward movement in coming months which bodes well for inbound and outbound air cargo demand.
Mark Your Calendars:
YVR will hold its
Annual Public Meeting
(APM) virtually this year. The APM is scheduled to happen on Monday, June 29 at 3 p.m.
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UPDATE FROM RICHMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT 38
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Scott Robinson
with Richmond School District 38 shared that:
- Smooth re-opening of Richmond schools started last Monday, June 1st
- Ultimately, roughly one quarter of elementary students ended up attending.
- In some schools, numbers increased as the week progressed and in others they decreased slightly
- Secondary school attendance was lower – an average of around 300-350 students per day who chose to sign up for subject-based tutorials
- Students who are not attending have continued to have the opportunity to continue to engage in remote learning opportunities
- This schedule will continue until June 25th for elementary students and June 19 for secondary students
- September – we are awaiting further direction from the Ministry of Education. Latest communication through the media has been that it’s very likely we will be continuing with a hybrid model of some sort, but no details have been provided and no formal decisions have been made at the ministry level
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UPDATE FROM TOURISM RICHMOND
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Nancy Small, CEO of Tourism Richmond shared that:
One of our biggest concerns in the industry is how communities are feeling about welcoming visitors from outside their own communities. We are calling it "resident sentiment" and it is critical to understand how residents feel in order to have any type of successful summer.
Tourism Richmond survey ran for five days with outreach to email subscribers, social media and website traffic. Almost 50% of respondents were from Richmond and the findings were:
- Continued concerns over exposure to COVID-19 but large crowds in Richmond are a greater concern.
- Definitely large crowds are a deterrent and there are high expectations for businesses to change operations in post COVID-19 world.
- As things ease up – Richmond Residents are most looking forward to doing an outdoor activity (walk or bike in a park or trail) and dining in at restaurants/breweries
- Richmond residents are becoming comfortable with welcoming visitors as the summer goes on – for example, 61% of respondents were comfortable with welcoming visitors from nearby communities (e.g. the Lower Mainland) in July; they are less comfortable welcoming visitors from Canada (but outside of BC), and least comfortable welcoming visitors from the U.S.
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UPDATES FROM RICHMOND'S MLAs
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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:
- As we’ve heard before, the legislature is being recalled officially with the session beginning the 22nd of June. It’ll be a hybrid session with a number of MLAs physically in the chamber and a number sitting remotely.
- MLAs are now undergoing training simulation to ensure the system works.
- The session will focus on budget estimates and legislation. We expect the main piece will be ICBC related legislation.
- In terms of issues we are following at the provincial level: we are providing suggestion to the government, including the concept of look at some regional openings, rather than a provincial-wide approach. Each region has differences in how they have been affected by COVID-19. We will continue to advocate for issues that are relevant for the province and for Richmond.
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MP Kenny Chiu shared updates on behalf of the Richmond MPs:
This week I am in Ottawa to debate the supplementary estimates.
Topics I intend to participate in discussion while in Ottawa include:
- emergency responses to the COVID-19 pandemic
- medical research
- establishing domestic production of PPE
- Canadian Red Cross
- economic responses to the pandemic, including support for SMEs, food processing facilities and rural businesses)
My office is welcoming summer student interns and planning to
issue e-newsletters to the riding. We are offering support to those who write in requesting assistance. We have seen a dramatic increase in requests for seniors. Alice Wong and I will be collaborating on these issues.
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Superintendent Will Ng, Officer in Charge for the Ric
hmond RCMP shared that:
- Commercial and residential break and enter rate continues to be low.
- Last Saturday there was a peaceful protest walk for George Floyd that took place from Hugh Boyd. It was well attended by about 70 people. Officers were on site to provide support and traffic control. There were no issues at all. Officers were very supportive and open to dialogue with protesters.
- Protesters are planning a peaceful gathering this Saturday at Garry Point to protest the lockdown – they call themselves “Action Against Illegal Lockdowns”.
- The Richmond RCMP is working on the creation of an anti-racism/ hate crimes unit with existing resources. It will be working on providing education, awareness, and prevention of all hate and racist crimes.
- No staff off on COVID-19
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UPDATES FROM RICHMOND FIRE RESCUE
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Chief Tim Wilkinson with Richmond shared that:
- Staff remain healthy
- Operations have returned to almost normal state
- PPE is at good levels and staff well protected
- No 1 Firehall will be open to public as soon as all health and safety protocols are in place
- People may see staff out training at Lafarge training site.
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Richmond Chamber of Commerce
604.278.2822
rcc@richmondchamber.ca
www.RichmondChamber.ca
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