UPDATES FROM TASK FORCE CHAIRS
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Yesterday morning, our Richmond COVID-19 Community Task Force (RCCTF) hosted its sixth teleconference meeting.
Dr. Dawar reminded us that we are at day 41 since BC declared its Public Health Emergency.
Much of this week's discussion centred upcoming recovery, and discussing ways that Richmond can safely build to a new normal, while mitigating much of the impact that has already been felt.
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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 that we are now at day 41 since BC declared its Provincial Health Emergency:
- Epidemiology: We are nearing 2,000 cases since the latest update, with new numbers to be released today. Most cases are now within the Fraser Health Authority (the most populated region) with Vancouver Coastal Health now second. As of April 25th, there have been 100 deaths.
- Easing Restrictions: Last week, Vancouver Coastal Health Last week Vancouver Coastal Health sent a letter to municipalities, as well as operators of outdoor recreation facilities, asking that they look to reopening these facilities, given that they are not closed by the Provincial Health Order. These include parks, dog parks, playgrounds, picnic areas, walking, running and cycling areas etc.
- Vaccine & Clinical Trials: Dr. Dawar provided the following links to those who are interested in vaccine and clinical trials: Registry of vaccine trials hosted by the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene site: https://vac-lshtm.shinyapps.io/ncov_vaccine_landscape/ ; Registry of clinical trials: https://www.covid-trials.org
Resources:
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UPDATE FROM THE CITY OF RICHMOND
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The property tax payment date has been extended for businesses and residents to September. Anyone who can pay in July is encouraged to do so. A 2% reduction to property taxes in included in a
public consultation
.
Planning for Facilities Reopening:
the CAO is working with the Regional Administrators Advisory Committee on this topic as a coordinated approach is important to all cities. A request will be made of the Province to provide leadership for this coordinated approach and timing; in the meantime, staff are working on plans which provide for a gradual, phased approach that is consistent with the Medical Health Officer’s advice.
Business Licence Renewal Check In:
A higher number of businesses are not renewing their licences. As part of recovery preparation, staff will be checking in with them by phone to see how they are doing and if they intend to carry on after COVID-19. The City will not be issuing fines or asking these businesses for payment.
Daily Patrols by Community Bylaw Officers & Community Ambassadors:
This approach continues to be a successful in gaining compliance on social distancing through education. The number of COVID-19 related calls for service remain stable.
Local Job Postings:
Many workers are still out of jobs, so the City is sharing local job opportunities on businessinrichmond.ca. Some local companies that are hiring for these positions include Sierra Wireless, ZE Power, Photon Control and Wenco Mining.
Food Network Webinar:
On April 29
th
, a
Richmond Food Network Webinar
is taking place. Local meal programs and social agencies are invited to attend this webinar and sign up to this program.
Businesses can access the COVID-19 Business Support Centre by:
Resources:
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UPDATE FROM RICHMOND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Matt Pitcairn, President & CEO, and Fan Chun, Chair of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce shared:
Surveys Results:
- Throughout this crisis, we know access to strong data is invaluable to our policy makers. We have been actively involved with the survey efforts of the BC Chamber, conducting bi-weekly "pulse checks" on the business community.
- The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with statistics Canada, are conducting a national survey of Canadian employers. We are actively encouraging all Richmond employers to take this survey.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy:
- The CRA portal for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy opened today. This is going to have a big impact on businesses. We are encouraging members to apply as soon as possible. The target date to have money in accounts is May 7th.
Commercial Rent Relief Plan:
- On Friday, the Federal government announced some details of the Commercial Rent Relief plan, which would give a 75-per-cent break on rent for qualifying businesses for three months, retroactive to April.
- The Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program offers loans to qualifying commercial property owners to cover 50 per cent of tenant rent payments for April, May and June.
- Businesses that will qualify for the break are those that have had to close their doors or suffered at least a 70-per-cent loss in pre-COVID-19 revenue, but require a landlord’s co-operation to sign on. (This is a very high level of revenue loss)
Virtual Events:
Logistics Challenges:
- A new normal is businesses moving their platforms online. And on the demand side, as people are isolating at home, they are shopping more online. We are experiencing delays in our logistics partners including Canada Post. One consistent message we heard from them is that they are experiencing “Christmas-level volumes” which means businesses are sending, processing and delivering parcels at levels only experienced during the busiest weeks of the Christmas season.
Resources:
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UPDATE FROM VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY (YVR)
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Craig Richmond, President and CEO of Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR) shared:
Passenger numbers continue to fluctuate daily but YVR continues to see daily volumes decline by more than 90% when compared to last year’s traffic. YVR remains down to less than half of its normal terminal in operation.
Update on Air Cargo Operations
- Traditionally, 70% of cargo at YVR is carried on the belly of passenger aircraft so cargo capacity has been adversely impacted by the reduction in passenger traffic. In response, many air carriers have converted passenger aircraft to operate cargo only, which is helping to bring in much needed personal protective equipment and medical supplies. The shift towards online retail is benefitting major e-commerce players such as Amazon and their contracted air cargo partners.
Airline Update
- Air Canada announced last week that it has suspended all service to the United States until May 22, subject to further government restrictions. Westjet also announced a significant decrease to its domestic flight schedule and further employee layoffs.
Government Screening
YVR is working closely with its government partners to address the ongoing pandemic:
- The Government of Canada requires that all travellers wear non-medical masks or face coverings when at airports and on aircraft. Airport employees and business partners must also wear proper face coverings.
- Arriving passengers are encouraged to download the new ArriveCAN mobile app to provide screening agencies with required health information, reduce wait times and limit contact upon arrival.
Resources:
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UPDATE FROM RICHMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT 38
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Scott Robinson, Superintendent of Richmond School District 38 shared that there are two main areas of focus:
Students returning to school:
- The Minister of Education has signaled in media that it is possible that schools will begin to re-open in some way perhaps at some point in mid to late May. School districts haven’t been given any further information on what that might look like or when it might occur.
- As students and staff begin to return to schools over the next few weeks, we’ll continue to work closely with Vancouver Coastal Health to ensure that an appropriate level of health and safety protocols remain in place for our students and staff.
- As discussed last week, a small number of students in some schools will be returning to school part time this week. These are students who, for a variety of reasons, are considered vulnerable and require face to face contact with educators and support staff at school. This is being handled on a case by case basis with schools and families.
Food support for families in need:
- The district continues to support many families in our community who are struggling to make ends meet. We’re seeing an increase in the number of families who need help with food support as more and more parents are losing income during the pandemic.
- The district continues to work with community partners to gather food products for weekly hampers for these families. We’re also continuing to raise additional funds both to support a greater number of families and also to provide more food to the families we’re already supporting. We have an active link on the district website for members of the community who wish to make financial donations.
- Donation Link: https://www.sd38.bc.ca/Pages/donations.aspx#/=
Resources:
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UPDATE FROM TOURISM RICHMOND
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Nancy Small, CEO of Tourism Richmond shared that:
- Over the past week Tourism Richmond has been focusing on looking to the restart – and what that could look like within the tourism industry. There are some models we are looking at which could be:
- Some travel restrictions eased mid-late summer
- Relaxation in the fall
- Relaxation in 2021
- The City of Richmond, Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and Tourism Richmond have collaborated with the objective of providing resources, support, and connecting Richmond businesses and Richmond residents. The lead element of this program is a website, WeAreRichmond.com, which will serve as a hub and connection point for residents and businesses
Resources:
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UPDATES FROM RICHMOND'S MLAs
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Richmond's four MLAs, Jas Johal, Linda Reid, John Yap, and Teresa Wat shared some of their recent work:
- Constituency offices continue to deal with a tremendous amount of calls. Many of these are from seniors. Many calls are also from small business owners looking for information to access federal and provincial programs. Many other calls relate to EI benefits.
- Expect the opposition to be posing the question: What is the economic plan in regard to recovery? We are going to be focusing on getting the government on track for recovery.
Resources:
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Jordan Wood, Legislative Advisor to MP Kenny Chiu shared updates on behalf of the Richmond MPs:
- Constituency offices have been able to promptly respond and assist those inquiring about the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, EI, and business aid programs and will continue to do so throughout the duration of the COVID-19 relief programs.
- More concerns are coming in from individuals who fear they are slipping through the cracks. This is either because they do not meet the income requirements to qualify for CERB or because they represent an exceptional circumstance which the program does not account for.
- For businesses, the inquiries are primarily focused on why their financial institution is not offering the Canadian Emergency Business Account.
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Superintendent Will Ng, Officer in Charge for the Richmond RCMP shared that:
- Richmond RCMP, on a number of occasions, have been called to assist Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Provincial Health Authorities with persons that are staying at local hotels in Richmond and have been non-compliant to their self-isolation plans; all incidents have been resolved through education and discussion
- Richmond RCMP are continuing to investigate a series of Arsons in Richmond. A media release went out last week canvassing the community for assistance in identifying this individual;
- Richmond RCMP continue to step up visibility and patrols in the community including commercial business parks and at YVR terminals, Sea Island and main roadways to prevent current trends of commercial break and enters and theft of catalytic converters;
- In addition to celebrating National Volunteer week, Richmond RCMP will be providing positive messaging to encourage our community to stay vigilant in keeping our community safe and to do their part to flatten the curve.
Resources:
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UPDATES FROM RICHMOND FIRE RESCUE
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Chief Tim Wilkinson with Richmond shared that:
- Staff are healthy with very few being in self-isolation.
- RFR is working with the RCMP on a serial arsonist investigation.
- Reminder that the weather is warming and that outdoor fires will start to be of concern
- Restarting high risk building inspections with a focus on vulnerable building and persons.
- RFR has the PPE required to operate without interruption of service.
Resources:
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Richmond Chamber of Commerce
604.278.2822
rcc@richmondchamber.ca
www.RichmondChamber.ca
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