March 26, 2020
Dear Registrants,
The BC Government has published a news release regarding steps they are implementing to support the COVID-19 response, including
identification of essential service providers.
The Province, in consultation with the Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, has defined essential services British Columbians rely on in their daily lives in the context of COVID-19 response and recovery. This is distinct from essential service designations under the Province's Labour Relations Code.
In consultation with the provincial health officer, any business or service that has not been ordered to close, and is also not identified on the essential service list, may stay open if it can adapt its services and workplace to the orders and recommendations of the PHO.
“In these new and challenging times we are facing, we’re asking British Columbians to stay strong as a community, and together we can get through this,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “I’m proud of the strategic measures we have enacted government-wide to help our families and health-care workers, to keep them safe and supported. By issuing a series of ministerial orders, we recognize that this is not forever, but it is for now. With everyone stepping in and respecting the extraordinary means we have to take, we will overcome this.”
A link to the full news release is
here. The CVBC has also copied the actual list of declared essential service providers into
this document, that is posted on our COVID-19 webpage.
Key inclusions on that list are:
1.
Food and Agriculture Service Providers
- businesses that provide for the health and welfare of animals, including veterinarians, farms, boarding kennels, stables, animal shelters, zoos, aquariums, research facilities and other service providers.
2.
Non-Health Essential Service Providers
- feed, water, bedding, veterinary care, veterinary supply, transport and processing services for livestock, animal shelters and pets;
Stay well,
Dr. Stacey Thomas,
Acting Registrar
