UPDATES FROM TASK FORCE CHAIRS
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This morning, our Richmond COVID-19 Community Task Force (RCCTF) hosted its seventh teleconference meeting.
This week, our discussion really pivoted to recovery. Organizations across Richmond are looking at what the new normal will be for the remainder of 2020.
Gradual easing of restrictions, and creative solutions for reopening were top of mind for many task force members.
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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 slow and steady is the name of the game for reopening.
- Epidemiology: Within Vancouver Coastal Health, there have been 840 cases at last count. 20% of those patients have been hospitalized; 8% of patients have been in the ICU; and, unfortunately 9% have died.
- Expanding Your Contacts: Modelling shows that current transmission relates to decrease in our contacts to about 30% of normal. Modelling also shows us we could ease our restrictions, perhaps doubling our contacts to 60% of normal, and keep COVID transmission at manageable levels.
- Principles to consider as we build a "new normal": 1. Protect seniors and those at highest risk of disease, particularly in care homes; 2. Transmission is lowest in outdoor spaces; 3. Children and youth are more protected than adults in general; 4. Opening workplaces. Many are still open now. We may have to get used to line-ups in the short-term and appointment-based operations.
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UPDATE FROM THE CITY OF RICHMOND
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Mayor Brodie and Senior City staff shared that: A recent
article in the Richmond News
quoted Dr. Mark Lysyshyn that just 10% of Vancouver Coastal Health's confirmed COVID-19 cases have been in Richmond. This is a sign that the Richmond community is doing something right. The City of Richmond is doing what it can to keep as many staff as possible employed in meaningful work. In some cases, this will mean redeployment.
BC211: Richmond Cares Richmond Gives (RCRG) has added laundry service, peer counselling and a caregiver hub as part of BC211 services. RCRG is encouraging seniors to call them directly: 604-279-7020
Provincial Youth Week: As of May 1, it is Provincial Youth Week. The City and Community Association Societies are bringing activities online. On Monday, 200 youth participated in a virtual youth dance party. A number of other activities are taking place throughout the week
CERCA Resources: CFIB has put together a
letter template that tenants can use to approach their landlords. The letter includes key information including specifically how the business has been negatively impacted, and what other actions they’ve already taken to help their financial situation. This will hopefully help businesses and landlords enter into productive negotiations, as that’s what’s required to successfully access this program.
Distribution Channels: With the closure of many restaurants and retail stores, some local businesses have had their distribution channels greatly impacted. Some export-related supply chains are also impacted, for example for local seafood processors. There have been a few initiatives created to help local businesses sell their products.
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UPDATE FROM RICHMOND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Matt Pitcairn, President & CEO shared:
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program
- The CECRA program has faced challenges before going live. We hear from many members that landlords are unwilling or unable to participate. While the federal sentiment seems to be that 75% of rent to a landlord is better than 0%, we will be working at the Provincial level to improve and incentivize uptake of this program.
Policy Win:
Townhall with Richmond MLAs:
- Friday at 10am we are hosting a Virtual Town Hall with our local MLAs.
- We will be discussing recovery plans, which will hopefully be unveiled in the next few days.
- Register Online for this Free Event
Translink:
- TransLink’s current financial situation has made it necessary for them to reduce transit services
- TransLink would appreciate 10 minutes of your time to complete a survey of your current transit needs and anticipated future needs. Do you or your staff rely on transit to get to work? Do your customers or clients rely on transit to access your business?
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UPDATE FROM VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY (YVR)
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Craig Richmond, YVR's President and CEO shared:
YVR expects to operate as a smaller airport than previously forecasted, serving fewer passengers as the airport works through a multi-year rebuild. Last week YVR began the process of workforce reductions by offering voluntary departure packages to all Airport Authority employees. Layoffs will be forthcoming and will affect both management and bargaining unit employees. The announcement does not impact the broader workforce on Sea Island of about 26,000 who work for multiple employers.
Air Cargo Update:
Westbound air freight rates from North America across the Pacific are normalizing which is positive for the start of BC's seafood and cherry export season. YVR continues to see many carriers operating passenger aircraft as cargo only operations. In addition to Air Canada, YVR is seeing mini-freighter operations being added by carriers such as Xiamen Airlines, China Southern and Cathay Pacific.
Airline Updates:
YVR continues to work with our government and airline partners to welcome Canadians abroad back home and assist in the repatriation of foreign nationals.
- In response to passenger demand, China Southern Airlines is flying its larger A380 aircraft into YVR for the next several weeks. We are seeing these flights depart full.
- Qatar Airways is operating several flights a week for the next several weeks to bring Canadians living in India back home.
Government Screening:
There were no changes in airport screening since the last update. YVR encourages all arriving passengers to
download the new ArriveCAN mobile app
to provide screening agencies with required health information, reduce wait times and limit contact upon arrival.
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UPDATE FROM RICHMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT 38
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Scott Robinson and Ken Hamaguchi with Richmond School District 38 shared that:
- The BCTF and BC Public School Employers’ Association have ratified their provincial collective agreement
- Students returning to school:
- Anticipating receiving direction this week from the Ministry of Education with respect to whether schools will re-open for face-to-face instruction on a broader level between now and the end of June, and if so, what that may look like.
- Face to Face Opportunities for Vulnerable Students
- The goal is to continue to increase the number of students in schools as more students are identified who would benefit from at least some face to face instruction in schools, and as the number of children of Essential Services Workers in schools increases.
- May is Asian Heritage Month:
- This is an opportunity for Canadians to learn about achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage
- Given the incidents of racism against Asian Canadians being reported through the media and the cultural make-up of our community, we feel it’s important that we take a proactive stance on this
- The District will be acknowledging Asian Heritage Month and encouraging schools to engage in learning opportunities about this
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UPDATE FROM TOURISM RICHMOND
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Nancy Small, CEO of Tourism Richmond shared that:
- The Tourism Richmond team is ready to pivot to continue to support those businesses when they reopen or as they change in the way business is done.
- Different sectors in tourism and hospitality are creating new procedures and new guidelines – e.g. golf, restaurants, attractions, hotels, airlines,. Etc.
- Stay tuned for WeAreRichmondBC.ca as we get ready for launch next week. This is a partnership between RCC, the City and Tourism Richmond. We are bringing our community together – in this continued lockdown and as we move into reopen.
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UPDATES FROM RICHMOND'S MLAs
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MLA John Yap shared an update on behalf of him and his colleagues, Jas Johal, Linda Reid, and Teresa Wat:
- We are now moving from the primarily containment and public health phase of the pandemic to thinking of the next phase: reopening. Some other provinces have already started. Government will be coming out sometime this week with an outline of that the reopening process could look like and potential timelines. This is all dependent on the infection’s curve staying at a flat level. BC has some of the best outcomes in Canada, if not the world.
- The MLAs are looking forward to the Richmond Chamber townhall this Friday, engaging with Chamber members and others.
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MP Kenny Chiu shared updates on behalf of the Richmond MPs:
The biggest question constituency offices get is when things will open, and ultimately the provinces have a large say in the matter. On April 28th, a joint statement by the Prime Minister and Premiers was issued on the topic of the shared public health approach to restarting the economy. Briefly summarized:
- COVID-19 transmission is controlled
- Sufficient public health capacity is in place to test, trace and isolate cases
- Sufficient Healthcare capacity exists
- Supports in place for vulnerable groups
- Workplace measures
- Avoiding risk of re-importation
On April 29th, Bill C-15, was passed by the House of Commons, which enables the Canada Emergency Student Benefit.
Finally, for those that have enrolled in the Canada Emergency Response Benefit a month ago, a reminder to those that enrolled when it initially opened - they will have to re-certify every four weeks that they meet the conditions.
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Superintendent Will Ng, Officer in Charge for the Ric
hmond RCMP shared that:
- Increased presence, patrols and visibility in the City and Sea Island to protect our community and local businesses;
- In April, we received 21 calls for assistance under the Federal Quarantine Act and Provincial Health Orders, very few for non-compliance;
- VPD has noticed an uptick of Hate Crimes in the Asian Community; Richmond has not received any Hate Crime complaints from our Asian Community;
- There have been no arsons in the past 2 weeks. We are continuing to work with RFR on the previous arson investigations and to identify suspect;
- We are working on a “slow down” campaign to remind speeders to slow down in Richmond as there have been some excessive speeds due to lighter roadways;
- Currently there are no officers under self-isolation;
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UPDATES FROM RICHMOND FIRE RESCUE
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Chief Tim Wilkinson with Richmond shared that:
- RFR staff are healthy and we see no reduced services other than what has been imposed on us by way of Provincial directives.
- RFR has created a business resumption plan
- First step is to reintroduce building and business inspections based on high fire risk buildings, projected reintroduction of businesses and schools.
- As a part of the first step RFR will be reintroducing Tower Crane inspections to allow large construction sites to open up.
- Emergency response – reintroduction of overdose response, numbers are low in terms of response however there is a real need for this response in Richmond.
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Richmond Chamber of Commerce
604.278.2822
rcc@richmondchamber.ca
www.RichmondChamber.ca
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