UPDATES FROM TASK FORCE CHAIRS
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This morning, our Richmond COVID-19 Community Task Force (RCCTF) hosted its fourteenth teleconference meeting.
In many ways, life and work have stabilized somewhat. BC continues to experience low rates of transmission as we move into Phase 3 of the provincial Restart Plan. We are all very grateful to our front line workers, and to everyone in our communities who has made the necessary sacrifices to this point. We are confident that this community spirit will see us through the coming months.
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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:
Reflecting:
Today, we sit at the six month mark from the first report of a cluster of cases of pneumonia reported by Wuhan Municipal Health Commission. COVID burden worldwide exceed 10 M cases, and 500,000 deaths. Canada has reported over 105,000 cases, with BC reporting 2904 cases as of yesterday. BC has been fortunate in having experienced a lower burden of illness as compared to other jurisdictions in Canada and worldwide. Reports of new COVID cases remains low and stable, with majority associated with clusters. Testing is widely available, and not recommended for asymptomatic individuals.
Ongoing Guidelines:
BC continues to ease restriction and we are now in phase 3 of the Restart Plan with resumption of travel within BC, opening of theatres, etc. Vancouver Coastal Health has guidelines to support various sectors in creating safety plans.Public health guidance regarding staying home when sick, physical distancing, and hand washing still apply. There are a number of public health orders that remain in place.
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:
Canada Day:
While Canada Day will look different this year, Richmond will be celebrating
Canada Day at home
, with virtual programming throughout the day, kicking off with a Facebook greeting from Mayor Brodie at 9:45am and finishing with a virtual fireworks show at 10pm. There will also be road closures in Steveston in anticipation of increased visitors. (A reminder for anyone visiting the wharf, the SHA has asked visitors to wear facemasks.)
Virtual Connection Day:
The WeAreRichmondBC partners (the City, Chamber and Tourism Richmond) are working with the BC Tech Association to help small businesses understand and adopt technology for e-commerce, digital marketing and remote working.
There are two virtual connection days coming up, one on July 9 and the other on July 30, where businesses can receive virtual 1-1 advice and guidance from a technology expert. Registration is free and the deadline for the first session is this Friday, July 3. The link to apply is
here
.
City of Richmond Report re: Update on COVID-19 Economic Response & Recovery Measures
The Economic Development Office recently prepared a
report to update Council
and the community on the many different City-wide actions taken, underway or planned to support local businesses and economic recovery. It also includes a section highlighting local examples of resilience and innovation that we’ve seen in Richmond’s business community over the last few difficult months.
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UPDATE FROM RICHMOND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Matt Pitcairn, President & CEO shared that the Chamber of Commerce office is now open full-time, with about half the staff working there on any given day, as well as:
AGM:
Like many organizations, the Chamber has pivoted to a virtual AGM this year. The sold-out event is taking place this afternoon, after which, Fan will have completed his volunteer service as Chair. Brian Corcoran, partner with PLLR Lawyers will be stepping into his shoes on our Board and as co-chair of the RCCTF.
Extension of Temporary Layoff Provision
Last week, the province announced that they would extend the temporary layoff provision to the end of August, in line with Canada Emergency Response Benefit timeline
s. This was a big push from the Chamber network, as well as our local MLAs. This move brings BC in line with other provinces, in recognizing the benefits for businesses
and workers in keeping the employer relationship intact until they can be up and running again.
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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 seeing passenger volumes slowly increase. Last week, YVR officially launched its biosafety program
YVR TAKEcare
as part of the airport's multi-layered approach to health and safety. It reflects the latest health, safety and cleaning measures as outlined by governments and health agencies—and complements the comprehensive programs implemented by our airline partners, such as
Air Canada's CleanCare+ program
—to give passengers and airport workers confidence in the safety of air travel.
YVR hit a new pandemic re-emergence peak of 7,300 passengers per day on June 28. Last week, passenger numbers were up by about 30% from the week previous. This growth is expected to continue through the summer as provincial travel restrictions are lifted and airlines increase service, starting in July. For example, Air Canada's
summer schedule includes nearly 100 destinations
,
across Canada, the US and worldwide, while Westjet is also expanding its domestic schedule.
Looking ahead to COVID-19 recovery, YVR is a founding member of the
Future Borders Coalition
(formerly the Beyond Preclearance Coalition), which is studying how to implement a “health preclearance” program to minimize risk to air travellers and facilitate supply chain and goods movement. One of the objectives of the work underway is for airports to create a “biosafe zone” that includes conducting rapid COVID tests for arriving passengers. If everyone entering secure zones is negative for the virus, airport shops and restaurants can operate normally, and airlines will know their planes are COVID-free.
Finally, today is Craig Richmond's final day as YVR's President & CEO. On behalf of everyone at YVR, we thank Craig for his tremendous contributions and wish him all the best on his retirement.
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UPDATE FROM RICHMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT 38
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Hen Hamaguchi
with Richmond School District 38 shared that:
- As school is out, there are relatively few updates this week.
- School District 38 expects an announcement related to the fall class schedule in the third week on August.
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UPDATE FROM TOURISM RICHMOND
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Nancy Small, CEO of Tourism Richmond was in a meeting with Premier Horgan today, but shared written remarks:
For the remainder of the year, Tourism Richmond is shifting their focus markets to Richmond residents, Metro Vancouver residents and British Columbians.
1. Pacific. Authentic. Locals.
The Pacific. Authentic. Locals program launches with two fun and engaging knowledge tests covering Richmond as an international travel destination and the value of tourism to the city.
And participants will receive an official ambassador certificate for each test they pass and those who pass both tests will be entered into a draw to win the ultimate Richmond Ambassador Prize full of amazing prizes!
2. Pacific. Authentic. Richmond BC Restart Campaign
Early July, Tourism Richmond will be launching a campaign to engage and inspire Metro Vancouver and BC residents to visit Richmond this summer and fall. This campaign will leverage our “Pacific. Authentic. Richmond BC” brand to bring to life what makes Richmond unique from other BC destinations. It will be supported by a targeted media campaign that includes print, out of home, TV, and digital advertising.
3. Hotel Booking Campaign
Early July, Tourism Richmond will be supporting our hotel partners with an overnight booking campaign. This campaign is intended to encourage British Columbians, with a focus on Metro Vancouver, to book a staycation – and reward them for doing so.
4. Partnerships with Metro Vancouver Destinations
Tourism Richmond has partnered with Tourism Burnaby, Tourism Langley, Tourism Abbotsford, and Tourism Chilliwack to pool our resources together and execute a high-impact campaign with Daily Hive Vancouver. This campaign aims to encourage locals in each respective community to explore the world within the 100km radius, and to provide tourism and hospitality businesses a kick start to their summer season.
5. Pacific. Authentic. Discovery Online Passport
Mid July, we will be launching a mobile-exclusive web promotion, Pacific. Authentic. Discovery Passport to give locals and visitors a reason to stay, shop, dine and experience all the great things to do in Richmond. Passport holders will receive discounts and special offers from participating Richmond restaurants, shops and attractions. Plus, they’ll have a chance to win one of three prizes* by redeeming offers and collecting check-ins to various merchants over the summer. Great prizes which are all detailed on our website.
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UPDATES FROM RICHMOND'S MLAs
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MLA Teresa Wat shared an update on behalf of her colleagues, John Yap, Jas Johal, and Linda Reid. They shared:
- On Monday morning, the legislature will resumed, with the majority of the MLAs connecting remotely.
- Their focus is economic recovery for BC, including clear guidelines for education in the fall.
- Last week, the government announced an extension to the Temporary Layoff Provision in response to advocacy by business groups like the Chamber network, and the BC Liberal Caucus.
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Sacha Peter, Manager, Office of Hon. Alice Wong, MP, shared an update on behalf of Richmond's Members of Parliament:
- The Quarantine Act restrictions were set to expire at the end of June. Yesterday, they were renewed to July 31 for immigration-related matters, and August 31 for quarantine in Canada upon arrival. I will supply a link to the order in the chat (Read more here and further reading here).
- Yesterday, the Minister of Finance sent a reminder to people yesterday that the previous deferrals on GST/HST payments and customs duty payments are due today.
- The House of Commons adjourned on June 17 after passing the supply measures. Ordinarily they do not meet again until the middle of September, but due to COVID-19, the next one-day sitting of the House will be on July 8th, when the Minister of Finance will give a fiscal update.
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Superintendent Will Ng, Officer in Charge for the Ric
hmond RCMP shared that:
- RCMP staffing not affected by COVID related sicknesses or self isolation.
- There was a peaceful and physically distanced Black Lives Matter demonstration on June 20th at Brighouse Park.
- There is another Anti-Racism march planned for July 4th. The RCMP will continue monitoring and to provide assistance as required to ensure public safety.
- RCMP has been running an excessive speeding project on Hwy 99 at the approaches into Richmond. There have been 23 excessive speeders caught in 10 hrs. The RCMP will be using regular and social media to continue to remind the public to slow down.
- RCMP and Auxiliaries officers have been assigned to Steveston for Canada Day in the event of emergencies.
- Break & Enters: Lobby mail box thefts have increased. We have seen a slightly lower rates of residential B&E.
- There are still Bitcoin scams going on. Again, RCMP will use social media to warn the public.
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UPDATES FROM RICHMOND FIRE RESCUE
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Chief Tim Wilkinson with Richmond shared that:
- Staff remain healthy. There is no COVID related time off, one person is isolating due to travel.
- RFR is seeing an increase in significant injuries seen connected to excessive speed emergencies.
- Emergency Operations are fully operable. Operational pace is increasing.
- Building and Business inspections are operating at approximately 75% of full operation.
- Public Education continues through virtual means.
- Training continues however limited by physical distancing.
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Richmond Chamber of Commerce
604.278.2822
rcc@richmondchamber.ca
www.RichmondChamber.ca
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