UPDATES FROM TASK FORCE CHAIRS
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This morning, our Richmond COVID-19 Community Task Force (RCCTF) hosted its second teleconference meeting.
As the situation progresses, it seems that Richmond, and British Columbia as a whole, are on the right track to "flatten the curve", but things are going to be harder before they get easier.
So much of that success is owed to you, and your own sacrifices. Businesses have closed their doors. Children are having play dates over Zoom. Workers are making important calls from kitchen tables. Whatever you are doing, thank you and please continue to do it.
We know how difficult this is and you're not in this alone.
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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:
- Flattening the Curve: We are still on the side of the curve where our number of cases are increasing daily. Continuing to practice basic hygiene and social distancing will help us flatten the curve.
- BCCDC Resources: The BCCDC is providing daily situation reports, with demographic breakdowns, as a direct result of the first RCCTF call. There are also guides for different scenarios, including event planning, employers and businesses, faith groups, etc.
- Case count: As of yesterday, the number of confirmed cases within BC is nearly 900. The greatest proportion of cases is within Vancouver Coastal Health.
- Testing: BC is leading the country in per-capita testing.
Resources:
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UPDATE FROM THE CITY OF RICHMOND
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There is a
Special Council Meeting this afternoon, including payment deferrals for fixed-rate utilities, and washroom facilities for people who are unsheltered.
Vulnerable populations: Looking at services for vulnerable people within the community. Working with stakeholders and non-profits to make sure everyone is taken care of.
Public safety: Police and Fire are continuing to provide all emergency response services. Supply chains were established to ensure that they are well supplied to carry on their work. Information about open public washrooms will be distributed to service groups, media and vulnerable populations in the coming days.
Bylaw enforcement: The province has directed municipal bylaw enforcement officers to provide warning, information and advice to business and members of the public in respect to public health orders. The City has extended hours of enforcement. While the majority of the businesses have been cooperative in complying with public health orders, some are not. Staff have been directed by Council to enforce the City’s Business Licence Bylaw to its fullest including suspending or even cancelling of business licences of any business found to be in non-compliance with a provincial order.
Scam Lookout: Please be aware of potential scams. City Bylaw Officers will NEVER be asking the public or businesses for cash payment for fines/penalties.
Workers Needed: Food manufacturers, and other companies related to essential services and the supply chain, need workers to meet a temporary surge in demand. We have a listing of jobs on our website, as well as links to employment support measures available for individuals and businesses
here.
Resources:
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UPDATE FROM RICHMOND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Fan Chun, Chair of the Chamber of Commerce, and Matt Pitcairn, its President and CEO shared:
- The Chamber network is collaborating on bi-weekly brief surveys to take the pulse of the employer community during this time.
- Local Data from BC MindReader Survey:
- We received Richmond specific data from a province-wide survey of employers that concluded March 18th. The numbers are very concerning:
- 95% reported a negative impact on business related to COVID-19 with 74% of that significantly negative
- 90% of Richmond respondents expect to see decreased revenue
- 48% expect to need to lay off staff due to economic uncertainty or unstable revenues
- 46% told us there was a risk they will go out of business
- 63% of respondents expect to see revenue drops of 50% or more
Chamber priorities:
- Focus on advocating for our members: lobbying senior government for supports to employers and workers
- Some good news announced Friday by Prime Minister Trudeau - increase to wage subsidy to 75%
- The deferral of GST, HST payments and import costs will also go a long way to helping businesses survive this crisis
Resources:
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UPDATE FROM VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY (YVR)
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Craig Richmond, President and CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR) shared:
- Passenger volumes are down significantly. Down to 40 – 50% of normal traffic over the year (that assuming a recovery in the third and fourth quarters).
- We are estimating 13 – 15 million passengers this year – a significant drop from 26.4 Million in 2019
- 35 airlines are currently flying in and out of YVR, a drop from 56 airlines. Expecting them all back once this is over.
- Large portions of the terminal have been shut.
- YVR remains open to keep supply chains open and will be working very hard to re-open fully once it is advisable to do so.
- Almost all capital projects have been put on hold due to social distancing.
- Approximately 14,000 workers related to the airport have been, or will be, laid off.
Resources:
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UPDATE FROM RICHMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT 38
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Scott Robinson, Superintendent of Schools for SD 38 shared that there are four main areas of focus:
Four areas of focus:
Health and Safety
- First priority – taking steps to provide a safe environment for our staff who are returning to work this week following spring break as well as the very limited number of students who may end up physically in schools at some point - incl. enhanced cleaning measures and workplace protocols.
Childcare
- It is a priority for School Districts to provide childcare support for Essential Services Workers such as health care workers, first responders, etc.
- A letter from Superintendent went home to all parents on Friday – provided a link to a survey where parents who are Essential Services Workers can apply for childcare services with us
Supporting Vulnerable Families
- Focus is on providing food to children who normally receive food through schools- either breakfast or lunch
- Working closely with community partners such as Save-On Foods at Terra Nova who have very kindly agreed to provide both perishable and non-perishable food at a discount
Continuity of Instruction for all students
- At this time, students will not be attending school in-person unless they are children of Essential Services Workers requiring childcare
- This week, all teachers have been asked to reach out to parents and older students to reconnect and try to determine needs such as access to technology at home
- Starting next week, instruction for most students will begin through a variety of means:
- Variety of online learning platforms
- Provision of work packages
- Combination
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, there have been announcements from the Province and Federal Governments for workers in the tourism and hospitality industry. These are appreciated.
- Properties are closing across the province with some redeploying for healthcare workers, or quarantining, including the Accent Inn in Richmond.
- With half of the numbers expected through YVR this year, this is obviously going to have a major impact on the local tourism.
- Within Metro Vancouver, Nancy Small is co-chairing a task force for Metro Vancouver tourism and hospitality businesses to look for response within this crisis time but also looking forward to recovery: next steps within the industry this year and the next couple of years.
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:
- The BC Liberal caucus is working collaboratively with the government during this trying time
- Last week, Jas Johal was within a group of 10 other MLAs who held quorum and approved the budget for the remainder of the year ($36B) and separate budget for COVID specific programs ($5B).
- Getting many calls from constituents on accessing specific programs. Were able to find money for the food bank. $1 M province-wide was allocated. They have been desperate for funding.
- Restaurants are struggling with rental obligations in the Richmond core
- 211 has been expanded with volunteer resources directed to seniors who are at home and need non-medical help
Resources:
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Richmond Chamber of Commerce
604.278.2822
rcc@richmondchamber.ca
www.RichmondChamber.ca
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