B.C. Safely Moving to Step 2 of Restart Plan as of June 15, 2021

 
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Today, British Columbia has taken the next step to safely bringing people back together, transitioning into Step 2 of the BC Restart Plan, including lifting restrictions on travel within B.C.

Also today, Dr. Bonnie Henry issued updated Public Health Orders on Food and Liquor Serving Premises and Gatherings and Events.

TOTA has compiled several resources for tourism businesses to prepare:

  • Moving from Step 1 to Step 2

  • Tourism Sector Restart Step 2 Toolkit

  • Visitor Travel Manners & DBC Messaging Guidance

  • Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant Extended to July 2

  • Business Transition to Step 3

 

Moving from Step 1 to Step 2

Provincial health data shows that with strong safety plans in place and people continuing to use layers of protection, people can now slightly increase much-needed social connections.

Public health safety protocols, such as mask wearing in all indoor public spaces and physical distancing, will remain in place during Step 2. As well, personal indoor gatherings will be limited to five visitors, or one other household. If you or anyone in your family feels sick stay home and get tested immediately

Key Highlights:

  • B.C. recreational travel – non-essential travel ban lifted. Out-of-province non-essential travel advisory continues;

Organized Gatherings

  • Indoor seated organized gatherings up to 50 people with a COVID-19 Safety Plan but no singing, dancing or karaoke (this is especially important for business, social and government meetings to resume

  • 50 people can attend inside, seated events at banquet halls, and in addition to the rules for other inside events, there is no self-serve food or liquor allowed

  • Outdoor seated organized gatherings up to 50 people with a COVID-19 Safety Plan;

Businesses (Food and Liquor Outlets)

  • Indoor and outdoor dining for groups up to 6 people (not restricted to your household or bubble)

  • Liquor service at restaurants, bars and pubs extended until midnight, so places that do not sell full meals now must close at 1 am.

  • Banquet halls can operate with limited capacity and a COVID-19 Safety Plan

  • Establishments will no longer be required to collect personal information from patrons

  • Patrons will still be required to be seated, but they will be allowed to stand up to throw darts, shoot pool, and bowl in the same group of six

  • Music will be allowed and the limits on volume will be removed

  • Events will be allowed at food and liquor serving premises per the indoor organized gatherings rules (i.e., maximum 50 people in attendance). Taking contact information will be required for events

Offices and workplaces

  • Continued return to the workplace

  • Small, in-person meetings allowed

  • Employers must continue to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and daily health check in place

Sports and exercise

Transportation

  • Options increased for perimeter seating vehicles to transport passengers. Hours extended to pick up one hour after liquor sales cease (1:00 am) ⁠— increased occupancy limits to allow to carry up to 6 people, irrespective of physical distancing.

Episodic Markets

  • Resume sale of non-food merchandise at indoor markets, with capacity limits similar to retail

  • Allows sampling at markets

The above measures will continue to be in place until July 1st; at this time, the government will deliver another update on the reopening. Public health safety protocols, including mask-wearing in all indoor public spaces and physical distancing remain in place for Step 2.

go2HR offers a safety plan review service for tourism businesses.

Tourism Sector Restart Step 2 Toolkit

The Province of BC, TIABC, ITBC, and DBC have prepared a restart framework and toolkit for operators to better understand and support the restart plan. We encourage you to explore the Restart Step 2 toolkit and utilize the key messaging for your own communications with guests, employees, and stakeholders — the aim being that  the tourism industry is working together towards a safe restart.

Visitor Travel Manners & DBC Messaging Guidance

British Columbians travelling within B.C. are asked to plan ahead and be respectful while visiting communities, especially smaller and rural towns, as well as Indigenous communities – including respecting local travel advisories. Travel manners and guidelines to follow during summer trips and vacations include:

  • getting vaccinated (Register for a first or second dose)

  • pre-trip planning and research before arriving at destination;

  • respecting any local travel advisories to isolated and remote communities and Indigenous communities;

  • following masks guideline;

  • respecting personal space and practising good hygiene, including frequent handwashing; and

  • no travelling for anyone who is sick. If symptoms develop while travelling, self-isolate immediately and contact 811 for guidance and testing.

Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant Extended to July 2

BC extended the deadline to apply for the small and medium-sized business recovery program until July 2nd, boosting its total investment to $430 million. Grants of $10,000 to a maximum of $30,000 remain available with up to an additional $5,000 to $15,000 for tourism-related businesses.

Business Transition to Step 3

Since the launch of the restart plan on May 25, government has been working with sector associations and WorkSafeBC to help prepare for the transition into Step 3 when public health orders will be lifted and new guidelines will come into effect.

Businesses can expect to see updated guidance available through WorkSafeBC's website prior to July 1. Businesses will then adapt their safety plans to reflect this updated guidance.

More than 200 meetings and discussions have taken place since the launch of BC’s Restart plan as part of government’s ongoing engagement. The majority have been with industry organizations that together represent thousands of employers and tens of thousands of employees.

 
Thompson OkanaganThompson Okanagan Tourism AssociationProvince of BC, COVID-19