On January 7, 2022, the provincial health officer announced an order requiring employers to re-activate their COVID-19 Safety Plans. WorkSafeBC has updated guidance and recommendations outlined below.
This replaces the previous requirement for employers to have communicable disease prevention plans in their workplaces. While communicable disease prevention plans and COVID-19 Safety Plans share some of the same fundamental principles, COVID-19 Safety Plans are formal, written plans with more rigorous controls and are more appropriate for periods of elevated risk, such as the one currently faced by B.C. workplaces by the Omicron variant.
Re-activating your COVID-19 Safety Plan
COVID-19 Safety Plans provide employers with important measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at their workplace. All employers are required to develop or update their COVID-19 Safety Plans to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in their workplace.
Many employers had COVID-19 Safety Plans earlier in the pandemic, and others may have maintained all or many of the measures from their COVID-19 Safety Plans. All employers are advised to review their COVID-19 Safety Plans to ensure that they are current and aligned with all guidance and orders from the provincial health officer.
Resources to help you re-activate or implement your plan
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- access our tourism and hospitality-focused COVID-19 safety plan template, with everything you need to prepare your new safety plan in one document
- register for free safety plan review service (go2HR's team of health and safety professionals will review your plan and give you targeted feedback)
- learn about key COVID-19 controls in the workplace
- register for BSAFE, go2HR’s training course on COVID-19 health and safety protocols
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday advised against travel to Canada because of a rising number of COVID-19 cases.
The CDC elevated its travel recommendation to "Level Four: Very High" for Canada, telling Americans they should avoid travel to its northern neighbour. The CDC currently lists about 80 destinations worldwide at Level Four. It also raised the island of Curaçao to Level Four on Monday.
In November, the United States lifted restrictions at its land borders with Canada and Mexico for fully vaccinated foreign nationals, ending historic curbs on non-essential travelers put in place in March 2020 to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Business Access to Rapid Testing |
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With the intention of keeping businesses open and employees safe, the Government of BC has launched Safe Screen BC, to begin enabling businesses to access rapid antigen tests.
Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), Safe Screen B.C. will guide businesses through the required application process for provincially available test-kits and support businesses in the set-up of onsite rapid workplace screening programs for employees.
- Program Eligibility
- Safe Screen B.C. supports businesses interested in offering voluntary screening for employees without symptoms in close contact settings. Participating businesses will be asked to contribute a fee to cover the cost of the services provided by the Safe Screen B.C. program which include: tailored support services to apply for test kits, access to a custom-designed reporting solution, and access to training resources and additional support services to assist businesses with the implementation of onsite rapid screening.
- How to sign-up for the information session
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Businesses interested in Safe Screen B.C. can attend an information session through this registration link.
Safe Screen BC Quick-Links:
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Applications are now open for the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program.
Here is the list of programs available for application:
Additional Quicklinks:
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ABLE BC | Order 2022 Drivers License ID Checking Guides Now
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The NEW 2022 North American ID Checking Guide Book and 14th Edition International ID Checking Guide Book are now available to order through the ABLE BC office.
The North American Guide has been updated for 2022. The International Guide has not been updated since 2021 but is valid through 2022.
Place your order HERE by Friday, January 21, 2022.
The ID Checking Guide Books help you and your staff make accurate, on-the-spot verification of driver's licenses and ID cards - your best protection against ID fraud. These books also help ensure you are kept updated on the latest versions of all ID formats.
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Reminder | BCHA Proud Partner of Hotel Operations Services Skills Training Project |
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“Hotel Operations Services Skills Training Program”.
This program is designed to train 30 candidates who are currently unemployed or under employed in the Metro Vancouver area and deliver them to industry trained and ready to work. The training is fully funded and will focus on readying the candidate for meaningful work in the hotel industry.
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Eligibility
- Unemployed or part-time employed (working less than 30 hours per week) or precariously employed
- High school graduate or 19+
- Be a resident in BC and be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Refugee Protected person with authorization to work
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Currently living in British Columbia
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Benefits & Certificates
- Pandemic Awareness
- PPE
- Food Safe
- Privacy Awareness
- Serving It Right
- BSAFE Certificate
- Heart of Hospitality Certificate
- OFA Level 1
- WHMIS
- World Host
- GBA+
- Safe Lifting
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For hotels who may be interested in candidate recruitment during the final phase of the 23 week program, please contact Alison Langford at alison@bcha.com
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The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has released their 2022-25 Strategic Plan: Building Back Better, which will focus on revitalizing the Indigenous tourism industry from the ongoing devastating impacts of COVID-19.
The 2022-25 Strategic Plan has three main priorities:
- Inspiring ITAC member businesses across the country to rebuild or refocus their business offering through targeted business support, education and training.
- Leveraging partnership opportunities and investments with the Provincial Territorial Indigenous tourism associations to maintain their membership and infrastructure.
- Strengthening ITAC as the national leader and advocate for Indigenous tourism operators and stabilizing funding through the federal government, partners and membership.
While COVID-19 has paused the Indigenous tourism industry’s flourishing growth, ITAC has revised its targets to build back to pre-COVID levels by 2025, three years sooner than projected. This includes:
- $1.9 billion in direct GDP contributions
- 1,900 Indigenous tourism businesses
- 40,000 Indigenous tourism employees
The 2022-25 Strategic Plan: Building Back Better, can be viewed here.
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The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa are selling a collection of over 55+ locks.
Details:
- Pickup preferred but delivery from Sooke to Sidney available
- Pricing is negotiable and ranges between $20 - $50
- View images here
If interested please contact Lisa Nordstrom, General Manager, The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa at:
250.655.9773
Have something you're looking to sell to the accommodation community? Reach out to kelsey@bcha.com.
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GoGreen Tip of the Week | Sign Up For Free Energy Analysis |
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Interested in becoming more environmentally responsible? Curious about the carbon footprint of your property?
Sign up for a FREE GoGreen Energy Analysis!
This service is complementary to other energy or sustainability assessments hotels may have received, providing much deeper analysis of energy consumption and costs, with the goal of identifying tens of thousands of dollars of annual cost savings and utility rebates.
If you would like more information about what the Energy Analyst can do for you, please fill out the form here or reach out to our GoGreen team!
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This is a friendly reminder that the BCHA is encouraging all members to update their billing and profile information in order to receive the most up-to-date information and stay current on opportunities within the sector.
The BCHA has also switched to automated billing. If you have not already done so, please complete the attached credit card form and submit to Member Services Coordinator, Samantha Glennie at samantha@bcha.com or directly at 604-443-4757.
We look forward to supporting you with your questions and greatly appreciate your efforts to update your profile.
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go2HR's newest restaurant safety initiative provides free resources to prevent the most common injuries in restaurant kitchens and make your kitchen a safer space.
Protect the staff you have. This will save you time, money and effort in the long run.
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Industry News & Quick Links |
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HOT OF THE PRESS | INDUSTRY NEWS
With COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations rising in B.C., the province's top doctor announced businesses will need to bring back their pandemic safety plans under a new health order. Read more.
The head of a Canadian travel and tourism coalition is calling for a change in the country’s COVID-19 testing requirements following a recently announced policy shift in the United Kingdom. Read more.
INDUSTRY TRENDS AND QUICKLINKS
Nassetta spoke to Reuters about the ways C-suite executives cope with such existential threats – and come out on the other side. Read more.
Are you read to help your reservations team maximize the contribution of the voice booking channel in 2022? If so, it is not going to be easy. As we look ahead to the coming year nothing is certain. Well, actually one thing actually is certain: there will be continued disruption in the lodging industry! Read More
How Advancements in AI can Revolutionize a Caller's Experience Read more
With the penetration of travel technology, travellers are getting used to booking a hotel room online, planning their travel itinerary online and even purchasing destination tickets online. STAAH Upselling partner KAI shares with us tips on Upselling and how it’s a new challenge for hoteliers. Read more
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and UKinbound have welcomed the government's decision to remove pre-departure tests for travellers and replace damaging Day 2 PCR testing with antigen tests Read more
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Tipping Our Hat to Industry
Have news to share? Email kelsey@bcha.com
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Samaddar was elected to the position in November 2021 and succeeds outgoing Chair Lew S. Bleiweis, A.A.E., Executive Director of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority.
“We are very proud to have Sam in this position as the first-ever Tier 2 airport and only the second Canadian to be named Chair of ACI-NA. This is a huge accomplishment that showcases the leadership of YLW throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing industry recovery,” said Doug Gilchrist, Kelowna City Manager.
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Destination BC's Alison McKay has assumed the role of Acting Vice President, Destination Management at Destination BC.
In her new position, Alison will oversee Destination BC’s destination management programs, with a focus on supporting the revitalization of a strong and sustainable tourism sector. She will also lead the Destination Management team in implementing annual plans, programs and projects; work with the executive team to support corporate-wide projects, such as Invest in Iconics, Destination Stewardship, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and collaborate with Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) on projects specific to Indigenous communities.
Congratulations to Alison on her new role!
Read complete announcement here.
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May 8, 2022 – May 11, 2022
IMPACT is a collaborative national dialogue on innovation. The dream to create a legacy for sustainable and regenerative tourism in Canada is stronger than ever, and your voices are needed.
Join in on a national conversation on sustainable tourism, as delegates and speakers explore and compare models for tourism recovery. Hear from some of the most creative and innovative experts in the business and address our new reality of higher expectations, for and of visitors.
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Digital Marketing Tips for 2022 - Top 10 DIY Lead Generation Tools for Your Business
Wednesday, January 12, 2022 10:30AM - 12:00PM
Hosted by: Small Business BC
Join Digital Marketing Expert, Ted Lau as he shares valuable DIY tips for digital marketing in the new year. Ted is the owner of an award-winning digital marketing agency, Ballistic Arts Media Studios. Ted will cover SEO, e-commerce, social media platforms, and more.
What Will You Learn?
- How to effectively target top funnel keywords into leads
- How to improve online purchase experiences from prospective customers
- How to engage with your leads authentically on social platforms
- What it means to be "meta" and what you need to watch out for in 2022
To access the webinar free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034.
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Free Info Session on Canada Summer Jobs Funding
January 12th at 1:00pm
Have you started thinking about your summer hiring needs? Canada Summer Jobs supports non-profits, small businesses, and public sector employers to provide quality summer work experiences for youth aged 15 to 30 years old.
Service Canada’s Canada Summer Jobs program is an initiative of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy which aims to provide quality work experiences for youth to develop skills and gain paid work experience to successfully transition into the labour market.
Talent MATCH has partnered with Service Canada to bring you this free info session featuring Line Noel and Melanie Greene, who will explain how the program works and how to apply.
While employee candidates for the Canada Summer Jobs program don’t have to be students, students are a great option. For more information on hiring students, visit the Talent MATCH webpage [https://acewilbc.ca/talent-match/] or contact Project Manager Debby Reis at TalentMatch@acewilbc.ca.
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How to Bring Clarity and Coherence to Your Team - Aligning Strategy, Leadership, and Focus
Friday, January 21, 2022 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Hosted by: Small Business BC
Learn how to develop an effective team perfectly aligned with your company’s vision and goals so they can clearly and proactively solve the right business problems with maximum impact.
What Will You Learn?
- Develop a clear vision that guides you and your team’s decision-making
- Lead with respect and concern for all team members that demonstrates appropriate compassion
- Deliver results and enhance the strengths of your team members to achieve key objectives
- Focus your team’s energy and time on the right tasks
To access the webinar free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034.
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Destination Canada Industry Webinar - Tourism's Big Shift
Tuesday, Feb 1, 2022 10:00 AM PST
Hosted by: Destination Canada
Destination Canada is hosting a webinar to discuss the findings of our latest report, Tourism’s Big Shift: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Canada’s Tourism Industry. We will cover key trends that will have the largest impact in the next one to three years and explore the implications and opportunities for small and medium-sized tourism businesses.
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Save the Date! | BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, March 9-11, 2022
Join us for the 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference as we 'Kickstart the Comeback' and gather in-person to learn, tackle issues, forge new relationships, and work toward resiliency in the face of one of the hardest years in our sector's history.
Stay tuned for further updates coming soon!
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