A MESSAGE FROM BCHA PRESIDENT & CEO INGRID JARRETT |
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Dear Accommodation Community,
Yesterday, it was announced by our Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, that the province-wide restrictions, initially implemented on November 20th, 2020, would be extended until January 8th, 2021 at midnight.
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About the PHO
Full details are outlined in the Public Health Order, and include the below, which are of particular interest to our industry:
- Travel
- All non-essential travel should continue to be avoided - this includes travel for vacation.
- Masks
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As outlined in the mask mandate order, masks are required for everyone in many public indoor settings. Please note, a face shield is not a substitute for a mask as it has an opening below the mouth.
- Masks are required in many indoor public settings and all retail stores.
- Note that accommodators should ensure that mask-use is implemented in all common areas at each property.
- Social Gatherings
- No gatherings of any size at your residence with anyone other than your household or core bubble.
- COVID-19 Safety Inspections
- WorkSafeBC will be conducting inspections to verify that COVID-19 Safety Plans remain effective. Establishments that are noncompliant with plan requirements may face orders and fines, and possible referral to public health which may result in a closure order.
- Restaurants, Bars, and Pubs
- For accommodators that offer food and liquor services, please note that restaurants, pubs and bars can continue to operate if they have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and employee protocols in place.
- Patrons must wear a mask inside a restaurant, pub, and bar, when not at a table.
- A maximum of six people at a table are allowed and no moving between tables.
- Events are not allowed at liquor and food primaries.
- Events
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In-person events and community-based gatherings as defined in the PHO order – Gatherings and Events (PDF) are suspended with the exception of weddings, funerals, baptisms, meals for people in need and some holiday events.
- Funerals, weddings and baptisms may proceed with a limited number of people and a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place. You can have a maximum of 10 people attend, including the officiant.
- Drive-in and drop-off events may proceed with a limited number of people and a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place. You can have a maximum of 50 cars in attendance. People must stay in their cars.
- Meetings
- The order restricts most formal in-person meetings outside the workplace, with some exceptions including:
- The B.C. legislature and cabinet meetings.
- City council meetings. It is recommended virtual meeting be held as much as possible. The public is not allowed to attend.
- Support groups like Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous.
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With regard to meetings and the PHO
There has been a great deal of confusion and frustration surrounding 'meetings' as they pertain to the PHO, with certain resources offering conflicting information. Last week, we did confirm that formal in-person meetings at purpose-built hotels are considered 'events', and are therefore banned. As many meetings are needed for business purposes and are being managed under incredibly strict safety protocols, we continue to advocate to have these meetings included on the list of events that are allowed.
Some of you also brought to our attention that you have been approached by clients with specific permission from Public Health to hold their 'meeting'. Some meeting examples are safety training sessions, construction meetings for projects underway, essential service first responder training and project meetings. The significant challenge and the lack of clarity has placed our hotel team members in positions of policing essential versus non-essential meetings. It is our opinion, given PHO has confirmed the meeting itself is not the risk and these meetings need to be deemed permissible, and that social behaviour before or after the meeting can be managed given the restrictions on gatherings, mask wearing and social behaviour included in the PHO order. To restrict the support position our industry has provided successfully with leading Safety Protocols and Best Practises is at best completely undo restriction.
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We hear your concerns and recognize the impact these restrictions continue to have on your businesses, along with the overall wellbeing of yourselves and your employees.
On top of everything, we are all struggling to imagine a holiday season where we are unable to gather amongst loved ones and enjoy many of the traditions that we have grown accustomed to. This is a very challenging chapter for all of us in British Columbia but we take solace in the hope that 2021 will usher in a new chapter, replete with a vaccine and recovery for our industry.
Stay safe and stay well,
Ingrid Jarrett
President and CEO
BC Hotel Association
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Industry Pulse Check Survey Results |
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The BCHA has continued to work with all levels of government, along with our key partners and industry stakeholders, to support the needs of our industry. Below are the results of our most recent industry pulse check survey for November. |
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Based on feedback provided, your advocacy priorities are as follows:
1.Extending the Wage Subsidy
2.Securing Liquidity
3.Property Tax Relief
4.Insurance Issues
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Status of Hotels in BC
•72.37% of hotels are either operating at reduced capacity or closed due to the travel restrictions.
•38.15% of hotels have lost between $10K - $500K due to travel restrictions
•59.86% of hotels have lost between $500K - $5m due to travel restrictions
•46.5% of hotels cannot continue without additional relief measures by April
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Industry Stats
•46.5% of businesses will not be able to stay solvent without Government relief funding
•7.9% of hotels have 30-60 days of liquidity
•40.1% have 3-6 months of liquidity
•49.3% of hotels do not qualify for the small & medium size business relief funds
Below are the forecasted occupancy rates for the province until April 2021.
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Ministry of Labour: Reminder for Temporary Layoff Variance Holders - Renewal Before Expiry |
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In Summer, 2020, a “COVID-19 Emergency Layoff” period was in place to extend the temporary layoff period under the Employment Standards Act to 24 weeks, expiring August 30th, 2020. Many of your members may have applied for and received a Variance to keep workers and employers connected as British Columbia continues the path towards economic recovery. Many employers requested four-month variances, which will expire near the end of December 2020.
All variances have an expiry date, and when you are within 30 days of that expiry you will get an email from the Employment Standards Branch of B.C. notifying you that if you wish to seek a renewal to a later date, you must take action before your variance expires.
It is a simple, online process so employers and workers in non-unionized workplaces can jointly apply to the Employment Standards Branch to extend a temporary layoff period and renew a Variance. The online form, employee informed consent tool and additional resources can be found here: https://www.gov.bc.ca/covidlayoffs
While there are positive signs of increased economic activity in many sectors, some businesses, particularly in the tourism, cultural and hospitality sectors, are not yet able to recall all their workers. B.C.’s Ministry of Labour recommends that employers submit their variance applications early to avoid the potential of permanent staff layoffs and compensation for length of service to eligible workers upon the expiry of the employer’s Temporary Layoff Variance.
The Employment Standards Branch reviews the application. Employers will be notified once the variance is decided. Employers are encouraged to submit their variance application at least 5 days before expiry of their current Variance and earlier if possible, for processing.
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BCHA & Insurance Bureau of Canada: Commercial Insurance Webinar |
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Thank you for those who joined us today for our joint webinar with the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) understands that businesses across Canada are facing extraordinary challenges due to the difficult economic conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. This presentation highlighted some of the key economic dynamics impacting Canada’s property and casualty insurers, how the industry, governments and businesses are working in partnership to address the current challenges, and more importantly, share resources you can use to assist members of your community.
A recording of the presentation is available below for those who were unable to attend.
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HAC is a proud recipient of Hotelier Magazine’s Hospitality Heroes Award |
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The Hotel Association of Canada is a proud recipient of Hotelier Magazine’s Hospitality Heroes Award
This award is presented to individuals and companies who brought their "A" teams together to help the community during an unprecedented health crisis.
When the pandemic blindsided the hotel industry, the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) rose to the occasion offering deep support to members and a sophisticated, highly influential lobbying program. With the support of the industry, we built an exceptionally talented team of experts, consultants, and analysts to meet the 24/hr requirements of the job. HAC is proud to have influenced every program announced that had applicability to the sector, securing more than $11 Billion in relief and liquidity from the Federal Government.
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BCHA & Ministry of Labour: BC's Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act Webinar |
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Changes are happening in BC as of December 15th. Join us to learn about the certified recruiter registry. If you intend to recruit and hire Temporary Foreign Workers or submit LMIA applications this informational session is not to be missed. Learn about important provincial changes to the program along with related Federal Programs. Our hosts from the Ministry of Labour will outline how to register and update our members on changes from the provincial and federal perspective.
Thursday, December 10th, 2020 11AM - 12PM PST
Hosted by BCHA & the Ministry of Labour
- Danine Leduc - Assistant Deputy Minister of Labour
- John Blakely, Executive Director, Policy and Legislation
- Kailyn Sherk, Director, Project Management
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Royal Roads Panel Discussion - ‘Tis the Season of Caring and Renewal: Three Perspectives |
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Join us online on Thursday, December 10 at 2 pm for our next panel discussion: ‘Tis the Season of Caring and Renewal: Three Perspectives
Join us for a panel discussion to explore ways we can care for ourselves and others. Each of us is navigating through this time of uncertainty. Inevitably, worry, anxiety, and stress impact our work performance, as well as our mental and physical health. Three experts consider the challenges of sustaining our bodies, minds, and souls so we can continue to thrive as managers, leaders, and learners in the immediate and long term. Our panelists will provide three interrelated perspectives and a range of practices we can use daily in our lives.
Our Panelists
Dr. Hilary Leighton, PhD, Associate Professor, Psychotherapist & Registered Clinical Counsellor. School of Environment and Sustainability, Royal Roads University
Tina Derix, NSCA – CPT, NCCP, CFit Lvl 1 Instructor. Co-Owner, Forge Gym, Victoria.
Dr. Carolin Rekar-Munro, PhD, CPHR, CTDP, Professor, Leadership. School of Business, Royal Roads University
Details for joining the Panel
This Panel is an initiative of the Tourism and Hospitality Resource Forum of Royal Roads University, a volunteer initiative to support BC's
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Don't miss the Winter 2020 edition of InnFocus!
FEATURED ARTICLES
Navigating the Path to Performance Recovery
The New Guest Experience
Adapting to Consumer Preferences
At One with Nature in Whistler
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