Canada's Tourism Minister Suggests Industry May Have to Rely on Domestic Travel Until Fall

Originally published by TIABC on January 4, 2022

The tourism and hospitality sector has been among those most severely affected by the pandemic. An article published by CBC News on December 27, 2021, explained that the federal minister responsible for the industry, Hon. Randy Boissonnault, said the return of international travellers could still be a long way off due to the uncertainty over the persisting Omicron variant.

In Canada, domestic travellers account for 78% of tourism spending. But international visitors spend an average of $1,047 per trip, while domestic vacationers spend less than a quarter of that.

The sector has contracted by more than 50% over the course of the pandemic, falling from a $105 billion-a-year industry before the pandemic to one worth about $53 billion now. That's a drop of 40% in domestic spending and 8% in spending by international visitors.

Industry stakeholders like TIABC's national counterparts, TIAC, say that the sector faces three significant challenges over the next year such as:

1. To simply survive until visitors return

2. The impact of ongoing restrictions on travel

3. A labour shortage brought on by the pandemic

Industry insiders say that the labour shortage is not being driven solely by slack short-term demand that will correct itself once borders reopen — that it represents a permanent move away from the sector by key workers.

The industry wants the federal government to make adjustments to the temporary foreign worker program and immigration streams to fill the demand for key workers in the sector. Stakeholders say they have to fix the damage done to the reputation of the industry as a result of the pandemic in order to attract new workers.

Read the full story →

Officials Warn B.C. Businesses Must Prepare to Have One-third of Staff Absent Due to Omicron

B.C. health officials warned on January 4 that many BC businesses could soon be dealing with additional staffing shortages due to the rapid spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

With unprecedented levels of transmission occurring in communities, PHO Dr. Bonnie Henry urged business owners to start putting together contingency plans so they can keep operating if a significant number of employees are forced to call in sick.

Case numbers have repeatedly broken all-time records in recent weeks to the point that officials estimate actual transmission could be up to five times higher given that testing capacity is at maximum levels.

Dr. Henry said the government is not imposing any more COVID-19 restrictions yet, only urging businesses to prepare themselves for potential disruptions.

Read the full story →

Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB)

The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) gives temporary income support to employed and self-employed people who cannot work due to a COVID-19 lockdown.

The CWLB is only available when a COVID-19 lockdown order is designated for a province or region.

Those eligible for the CWLB, can receive $300 ($270 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period and apply for any weeks their region is eligible between October 24, 2021 and May 7, 2022.

Learn More & Apply →

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New COVID-19 Measures Introduced in B.C. for Holiday Season

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry delivered an announcement that included revised orders aimed to address the rising COVID-19 cases. This order takes effect on Monday, December 20, 2021, and will be extended through to January 31, 2022.

Highlights of the extended measures include:

• limiting indoor, personal gatherings, including in rental and vacation properties to the household/residents plus 10 individuals or one additional household maximum if all are aged 12 and older are fully vaccinated;

• requiring the BC Vaccine Card for organized events of all sizes and ensuring the QR code is scanned at events;

• seating requirements and restricting movement between tables at food and liquor-serving premises, and reinforcing the need to wear masks when not seated;

• limiting venues of 1,000 individuals or more to 50% of the seated capacity with reinforced masking requirements and scanning of the BC Vaccine Card QR code;

• pausing all sports tournaments while the order is in effect; and

• all New Year’s Eve organized gatherings and events will be restricted to being seated-only events, with no mingling or dancing allowed.

In addition to the provincial health orders, British Columbians are also reminded to follow the travel advisories issued by both the federal and provincial governments this week that include avoiding all travel if not fully vaccinated and to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada.

View News Release →

View Current Restrictions (The revised Public Health Orders have not yet been published. They will be linked on this page when published) →

Commemorate Canada Re-opening Fund | Apply by January 10, 2022

The Reopening Fund is a one-year funding initiative through the Celebration and Commemoration Program to support initiatives that will:

1. increase opportunities for Canadians to participate in various commemorative activities and celebrations to mark Canada’s emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic; or

2. build a sense of pride and belonging to Canada by holding celebratory and commemorative activities that recognize people and achievements in the response to COVID-19 ; and / or

3. support the revival of local economies through in-person events.

Who Can Apply?

1. Canadian not-for-profit organizations

2. Canadian for-profit organizations where proposed projects are non-commercial in nature

3. Canadian educational institutions

4. Canadian provincial/territorial, municipal governments, Indigenous governments (or equivalent authority) or other municipal, provincial or territorial institutions.

Eligible Projects

To be eligible for funding from the Celebration and Commemoration Reopening Fund, your project must:

1. be free of charge (no admission fees or donation required for entry)

2. be open to the general public and promoted as such

3. support the revival of local economies after the hardship of the pandemic

4. commemorate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, either as a general theme or by specifically honouring first responders, front-line workers, communities, pay tribute to lives lost or

5. provide an opportunity for Canadians impacted by COVID-19 to share their stories, experiences and contributions during the course of the pandemic in Canada

The deadline to apply is January 10, 2022.

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International Travel Advisory Update

As of December 15, the federal government has reintroduced the advisory warning travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, to avoid non-essential travel internationally due to the rapidly circulating Omicron COVID-19 variant. The advisory will remain in place for at least four weeks and then be re-evaluated.

The government is also going to further expand its on-arrival testing and isolation rule which so far is only being randomly applied to air travellers. The government has said it will be made universal to all air travellers outside of the United States, but hasn’t said when that will happen.

View Press Conference →

B.C. Fairs, Festivals, Events Benefit from Recovery Funding

People throughout B.C. will be able to enjoy more arts, culture, sports and community occasions as the Province supports more than 680 events, including 131 in the Thompson Okanagan region.

The Government of B.C. is providing nearly $30 million through one-time grants to eligible event organizers to support their efforts to resume safely. Grant amounts for each event are as much as 20% of the total event budget, for a maximum of $250,000.

Recipients demonstrated the economic and social benefits to the community and strong local or regional support. Eligible expenses include operational costs, health and safety measures, venue rental, marketing, wages, and promotion.

Thompson Okanagan events that have received the Fairs, Festivals and Events Recovery Fund grant include:

• Interior Provincial Exhibition - agricultural exhibition and fair in Armstrong - Armstrong

• Canada Rock Fest - Music Festival - Grand Forks

• Bass Coast Festival - Merritt

• Merritt Rockin' River Fest - Merritt

• IRONMAN Canada - Penticton - Penticton

• Salmon Arm ROOTS and BLUES Festival - Salmon Arm

• The BC Bike Race - Penticton

• Rock The Lake - Kelowna

• SilverStar Bike Fest - Silver Star Resort

• Greater Vernon 2022 BC Winter Games - Vernon

• Spartan Race Kelowna at Big White Ski Resort - Kelowna

• Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan - Penticton

• 2022 Canada 55+ Games - Kamloops

• AltiTunes at Big White Ski Resort - Kelowna

• Snowbombing - Sun Peaks

• 41st Annual Kamloops Powwow - Kamloops

• Kamloops Legacy Wheelchair Tennis Tournament - Kamloops

• 2022 Welcome to Paradise Para Snowboard World Cup - Kelowna

• Kelowna Pride Festival 2021 - Kelowna

• Peak Pride - Kelowna, Vernon

• Okanagan Trestles Tour - Penticton

• And many more

Applications for the Fairs, Festivals and Events Recovery Fund grant were accepted from Aug. 27 to Oct. 1, 2021, for events that were scheduled between July 1, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2022. Recipients were selected based on the eligibility criteria.

View full list of recipients

Border Measures for Air Travel Infographic

The Government of Canada and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) have developed an air travel infographic to assist travellers with a better understanding of what is required when both arriving and departing the airport.

Through direction from government, airport officials will be conducting COVID-19 testing for all fully vaccinated passengers arriving from an international destination at YVR with the exception for those coming directly from the US. This will be in addition to a number of existing travel requirements already in place at airports. The arrivals test is paid for by the Government of Canada.

Key points include:

• To depart YVR and any Canadian airport, travellers must be fully vaccinated. Passengers must be able to prove vaccination status and their documentation will be verified by the airline at check-in. For Canadians, the best documentation is the Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination, with limited exemptions for religious or medical reasons.

• Each destination has its own set of entry requirements. Passengers are required to understand and prepare for the entry requirements of their destination before travelling from Canada. Starting Dec. 6th, everyone travelling to the US must show a negative COVID-19 test taken within a day of boarding their flight or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 day.

• When passengers return to Canada, they must complete ArriveCAN. This includes entering negative COVID-19 test information and a quarantine plan – and pre-registering for the arrivals test. Everyone will need to quarantine until test results are received, typically within 24 to 72 hours.

For passengers connecting through the airport, they will be subject to COVID-19 testing at YVR before continuing onward to their next destination. After taking the test, passengers can carry on to their final destination to quarantine while they await test results.

Note: Fully vaccinated Canadians who depart and re-enter the country within 72 hours of leaving are exempt from providing a pre-entry test result. It is recommended that travellers pre-register for the COVID-19 testing in advance to avoid long delays upon arrival at YVR.

BC Meetings & Events Industry PHO Distinction for Business Events

Submitted to TIABC by Joanne Burns Millar, BC Meetings & Events Industry Working Group

Originally published in TIABC Dec 7 Email Newsletter

"Since March 2021, when the BC Meetings & Events Industry Working Group submitted its COVID-19 Safe Restart Plan to the BC Government and the Public Health Officer (PHO), the working group has been actively engaged with industry and government working toward a recognized distinction for business events from public and social gatherings.

Alongside advocacy efforts from the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) and BC Hotel Association (BCHA), the working group has been in regular discussions with the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport, the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery & Innovation (JERI), and the PHO, bringing awareness to the importance and rationale for such distinction.

Following a pivotal discussion last week with Dr. Bonnie Henry and Dr. Brian Emerson, chaired by Tourism Minister Melanie Mark, the working group was successful in receiving the distinction for business events in the latest provincial health order.

Here are some key relevant points extracted from the order.

1. Business Events are allowed to have standing events. Networking, receptions, mingling are all acceptable. Holiday parties associated with businesses are considered “business events”.

2. Events such as wedding receptions, funerals, theatrical and musical events, concerts must be seated.

3. The health order separates the meaning of inside events into A & B categories:

A. "inside event” means (a) a gathering of more than 50 participants in an inside place for one of the following purposes: (i) a form of entertainment involving a performance such as a theatrical production, a concert, a symphony performance, a choral performance, any other type or musical performance or a dance performance; (ii) business, but limited to a lecture or presentation; (iii) a wedding reception; (iv) a funeral reception not held at a funeral home, (v) a sponsored or ticketed party at which there is musical entertainment, other than for the purpose of providing background sound;

B. a gathering of more than 50 participants in an inside place for one of the following purposes (i) a business purpose not described in (a), and including a conference, convention, commercial trade fair or workshop or home show; (ii) gambling; (iii) recreational education or classes, including arts, crafts, music, photography, culture, or travel education or classes (c) a gathering of any number of participants in an inside place for the purpose of an adult sports activity, an adult exercise or fitness activity or class, or an adult dance class; (d) a sports event in an inside place; (e) a program for children or youth in an inside place; (f) a worship service in an inside place.

This indicates that only events in category “A” must be seated events. Category “B” events are legally able to be standing events.

1. A person must not permit a place to be used for or must not organize an inside event with a purpose described in paragraph (a) (Category A) of the definition of an “inside event” unless the event is held as a seated inside event.

2. A person must not permit a place to be used for or must not organize an inside event as a standing event, if the purpose of the event is described in paragraph (a) (Category A) of the definition of “inside event”

A note on dancing: There is still no dancing allowed unless it is a performance. There have been conversations and advocacy around this issue, however, it is not expected that restriction to be lifted in the near future. Things are still in a tenuous place and while they had hoped that all restrictions would be lifted by now, the PHO is not ready to remove this one.

While progress for the sector has moved more slowly than we need to begin a measurable recovery, this distinction in the health orders is a big step in the right direction."

Canada introduces additional measures to address COVID-19 Omicron variant of concern

On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization classified B.1.1.529 as a variant of concern called Omicron. Since then it has been found in a number of countries and regions, including the confirmation of several travel-related cases in Canada.

Canada announced additional border measures to reduce the risk of the importation and transmission of COVID-19 and its variants in Canada related to international travel.

Effective tomorrow, foreign nationals who have been in any of these countries within the previous 14 days will not be permitted entry into Canada:

• Botswana

• Egypt;

• Eswatini;

• Lesotho;

• Malawi;

• Mozambique;

• Namibia;

• Nigeria;

• South Africa; and

• Zimbabwe.

Canadian citizens, permanent residents and people with status under the Indian Act, regardless of their vaccination status or having had a previous history of testing positive for COVID-19, who have been in any of these 10 countries in the previous 14 days, will be subject to enhanced pre-entry and arrival testing, screening, and quarantine measures.

Moving forward, border testing surveillance will be adjusted based on the latest available evidence to further reduce the risk of importation of this variant. In the coming days, all fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air from departure points other than the United States will be subject to arrival testing. Fully vaccinated travellers will be required to quarantine while they await the results of their arrival test.

Unvaccinated travellers, with right of entry to Canada, will continue to be tested on arrival and day 8 and quarantine for 14 days. However, those arriving by air will now be required to stay in a designated quarantine facility or other suitable location while they await the result of their on arrival test.

The Government of Canada will continue to assess the evolving situation, monitor case data, and adjust border measures as required.

Adjustments to Canada’s Border Measures

A reminder that effective November 30, 2021, fully vaccinated individuals with right of entry to Canada who depart and re-enter the country within 72 hours of leaving Canada will not have to present a pre-entry molecular test.

This exemption is only for trips originating in Canada taken by fully vaccinated Canadian citizens, permanent residents or individuals registered under the Indian Act, who depart and re-enter by land or by air and can demonstrate that they have been away from Canada for less than 72 hours. This exemption extends to accompanying children under 12, and individuals with medical conflicts to vaccination.

Also effective November 30, Canada will expand the list of COVID-19 vaccines that travellers can receive to be considered fully vaccinated for the purpose of travel to Canada. The list will include Sinopharm, Sinovac and COVAXIN, matching the World Health Organization Emergency Use Listing.

The Government of Canada also recently announced that as of January 15th, 2022, certain groups of travellers, who are currently exempt from entry requirements, will only be allowed to enter the country if they are fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved for entry into Canada.

Starting November 30, vaccination will be required for travel within and out of Canada. A valid COVID-19 molecular test will no longer be accepted as an alternative to vaccination unless travellers are eligible for one of the limited exemptions, such as a medical inability to be vaccinated. Travellers should contact their airline or railway company to obtain the necessary form and submit it in accordance with their carrier's approval process.

Quick Links and Resources:

• Travellers should check if they are eligible to enter Canada and meet all entry requirements before heading to the border. In addition, some provinces and territories may have their own entry restrictions in place. Check and follow both the federal and any provincial or territorial restrictions and requirements before travelling.

• All travellers, regardless of how long they were away from Canada, continue to be required to submit their mandatory information via ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website), including proof of vaccination in English or French and a quarantine plan prior to arriving in Canada.

• For trips out of the country longer than 72 hours, all travellers eligible to enter Canada must complete the mandatory pre-entry molecular COVID-19 test. Antigen tests are not accepted.

Mandatory Vaccination to Board Planes and Trains

Unvaccinated travellers over the age of 12 won't be able to board a plane or passenger train in Canada as of November 30, 2021, and a negative COVID-19 test will no longer serve as a substitute for most people.

The policy came into effect on October 30th, but the federal government allowed a short transition period for unvaccinated travellers who could board as long as they provided a negative molecular COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before their trip.

The stringent new requirement comes into effect as Canada reacts to the emergence of the new, highly mutated omicron variant of the coronavirus. The discovery of the new variant has prompted border closures and heavier screening in Canada and abroad over fears it could prove more transmissible. The risk related to the omicron variant is very high, according to the World Health Organization, but there is still a lot public health officials and scientists do not know about it.

While anyone coming into Canada or boarding a plane or train inside the country must be vaccinated, there are currently no quarantine measures in place except for people who have recently transited through southern Africa.

While many airlines have so far been doing random spot checks to ensure travellers are vaccinated, Air Canada and WestJet have confirmed they will ask for proof from everyone boarding in Canada as of today.

Canada to Reinstate Testing for Foreign Air Travel

Canada is reviewing its vaccine booster strategy, adding new countries to the list of nations subjected to federal travel restrictions, and is imposing new testing requirements on all air travellers coming from outside of Canada with the exception of the US, due to concerns over the Omicron variant.

Federal ministers and public health officials announced these three new steps today during an update on the latest measures Canada is taking in response to the variant of concern.

The new testing requirements mean that all air travellers coming from outside Canada, with the exception of the United States, will now need to be tested at the airport when they land in Canada.

Those who are vaccinated will have to isolate until they get a negative result, and those who are unvaccinated will continue to have to isolate for the full 14 days and test on day one and day eight of their quarantine.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said Canada is preparing for a “possible extension” of this policy to include the United States and the land borders if the situation evolves to the point that re-imposing further restrictions on Canada’s borders is warranted.

While it remains unclear just how transmissible and severe infection by the variant B.1.1.529 might be, Duclos said given that Omicron is highly mutated, the federal government is asking the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to quickly provide an update on its directives on the use of COVID-19 vaccine boosters.

The policy bans the entry into Canada of all foreign nationals who travelled to these countries in the last 14 days. Canadians, permanent residents as well as all those who have the right to return to Canada will still be able to return home but will face new measures upon arrival.

Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and BC all have detected cases of the variant, though health officials across the country are doing targeted testing of people who have travelled from the southern African countries subjected to the ban.

These moves respond to emerging questions over Canada’s Omicron response, though federal officials said today to expect the situation and federal policies to continue to evolve.

Interior Health COVID-19 Regional Restrictions on Gatherings and Events Lifted as of December 1, 2021

Changes to health restrictions in three health regions were announced last week. The regional gathering restrictions in the Interior Health region (which encompasses the Thompson Okanagan) have been repealed. Interior Health is now subject to the same rules as the rest of the province, including: province-wide mask mandate, Food and Liquor Serving Premises public order, and Gatherings and Events public order.

The provincial orders remain in effect, including:

• Proof of vaccination is required for indoor events with more than 50 people

• Indoor events are now allowed at 100% capacity (including sporting events with proof of vaccination)

• Outdoor events continue to have capacity restrictions of 5,000 people or 50% capacity, whichever is greater

• Mask requirements for people 5+ in public indoor settings remain in effect

There are no capacity restrictions for indoor and outdoor personal gatherings in private homes and vacation accommodations. It's still recommended to keep groups small and gathering outside is safer than gathering inside.

For details on the provincial restrictions (once the page is updated), visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restrictions

Getting vaccinated remains our best defense against COVID-19. Learn more at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register

Worker COVID-19 Resources: There's an App for That

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCHOS) has launched a new app to make workplace COVID-19 health and safety resources available to workers across Canada. The free app is a wealth of information with sector-specific tip sheets, infographics, videos and other guidance materials to help keep workers and customers safe. The downloaded app can be used without an internet connection, a handy feature when connectivity is unreliable or absent.

Canada Drops PCR Test Requirement for Short Trips to US

By the end of the month, fully vaccinated Canadians returning home from international trips 72 hours or less won’t have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test.

The new rule goes into effect on November 30th, and only applies to Canadian citizens, permanent residents or individuals registered under the Indian Act.

The exemption also applies to children under 12, and individuals with medical exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccination, however, fully vaccinated Canadians returning from trips longer than 72 hours will still be required to show proof of a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon return.

Also starting November 30th, vaccination will be required for travel within and out of Canada. A negative COVID-19 molecular test will no longer be accepted as an alternative to vaccination unless travellers have an exemption, such as a legitimate medical reason to not be vaccinated.

Furthermore, come January 15th, certain groups of travellers currently exempt from entry requirements will only be allowed to enter Canada if they are fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved for entry into the country.

Local Economic Recovery & Restart Toolkit

The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is pleased to announce the launch of their newest manual as part of the Economic Disaster Recovery and Resiliency Program. The Local Economic Recovery and Restart Toolkit provides a collection of resources developed to assist local councils, organizations and individuals involved in community economic recovery following an emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires and floods.

As noticed during COVID-19, disasters can fundamentally change the social and economic makeup of impacted communities. The better a community can recognize these impacts, the better they are positioned to take actions that will spur a more rapid economic recovery. This manual is designed to help local and indigenous governments be better prepared for when the next disaster strikes and help complement current efforts to overcome the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Topics Include:

• Local Economic Recovery Committees

• Managing Economic Recovery Centres

• Economic Recovery Action Plans

• Economic Recovery Communication

• Mental Health

Templates Include:

• Local Economic Recovery Committee - First Meeting Agenda

• Economic Recovery Manager - Duties and Responsibilities

• Media Release - Opening of an Economic Recovery Centre

• Economic Recovery Centre Intake Form

• Economic Recovery Centre Daily Briefing

• Economic Recovery Communication Strategy

Excerpts from News Conference with Dr. Henry & Health Minister Dix on Ski Resorts, Holiday Travel & Music Events (Nov. 9, 2021)

Originally published in a TIABC Newsletter on November 12, 2021

November 9, 2021:

Dr. Henry: So, here's what I'm asking you to think about as we head towards the coming holiday season. Keep your indoor groups small. We know that indoors is more risky than outdoors. And, it's really important that if you do have an indoor group that people are vaccinated. That helps mitigate the risk of transmission.

You can spend time with your loved ones, and indeed you must spend time. We need to have that time together. But have a smaller gathering this year, perhaps with one or two of your family members, or other families, rather than the full big family reunion. And make sure everyone is vaccinated.

If you're wanting to spend time with your broader family and friends, then plan an outdoor activity instead of gathering inside where it's riskier. Go sledding or snowshoeing or hiking. We have many, many wonderful things that we can do outdoors safely, even in the winter months.

And if you're travelling to another community, whether for a day trip, for exercise, a holiday getaway, we need you to be a respectful traveller. We know how to do this. We have been through this now together for the last 20 months. We need to continue to be aware of the impact we are having on communities we're going to and the risks that we're bringing with us, and of course, the risks we bring home.

We must recognize that there are some communities right now that are dealing with very serious outbreaks of this virus still, particularly in the North, but also on Vancouver Island, in the Interior and in some areas of the Lower Mainland. And they may not be ready to accept visitors right now, so check before you go. That also includes following all of the public health orders. Just because things look different in a different community doesn't mean you can let your guard down.

Here in BC, respectful travel means being fully vaccinated, using your vaccine card if you're going in to access services or going to events in any community; wearing a mask in all indoor public venues, including local stores, ski hills. All of those areas where we know that extra layer protection is so important at this time of year as we're moving into respiratory season.

Reporter: I know you've been asked about this before, but different ski hills are now putting in different policies around vaccine cards. Some are requiring vaccine to ride the gondolas or chairlifts. Others are not. Is there any change in guidance around whether the vaccine card may be used at ski hills considering people are in close contact in these gondolas?

Dr. Henry: just around ski hills, I know we have been working with the local public health, so my colleagues in each of the areas where we have ski hills have been reviewing the safety plans with each individual ski hill and there's a couple of things that all of them must adhere to, regardless of where their headquarters are.

One of them is we have an indoor mask mandate and gondolas are like a public transit, for example, an area where mask wearing is required, absolutely, and that is the same across the board. As well, we know that most ski hills have a vaccine mandate for their workers, which is something that protects all of the workers on the hill. That's important as well. And the BC vaccine card is required in all of those settings where you have either a licensed premise, where you're serving food, restaurants, sit down restaurants, etc. So we know that there's very strong protection plans and my colleagues have been working with each of the ski hills to make sure that they are robust.

We also know -- we've seen this from last year when we didn't have immunization -- that skiing is not necessarily a higher risk activity. We're not seeing transmission outdoors, we're not seeing transmission in gondolas, even in the absence of vaccination. So it is very important to have those safety plans. It is a requirement to wear masks on gondolas, on ski lifts, in lineups when you're close to people, and are more and more important this year, of course, but we also encourage everybody who's going there to be vaccinated.

We know that traveling into the country you need to be vaccinated. We know that travel within the country now you need to be vaccinated. So those are all things that will protect us and I think that's a really important consideration as we go into this ski season, too.

Minister Dix: I'll just add to that, that Mayor Jack Crompton of Whistler called me today and we spent some time talking about this issue. He's advocating forcefully for his community, and I think it's also important for the employer, in that case, to respond to the wishes of the community, as well, and we're hopeful they'll do so. I know other ski hills across BC have done that.

Reporter: Small music venues in BC are wondering when the ban will be lifted on standing and dancing in their establishments. Fans in BC can stand, dance and sing at larger events. What is the difference between that and the smaller venue? BC will soon be the only place in Canada with these types of restrictions in place.

Dr. Henry: I actually don't agree that we're the only place in Canada, but we do know that those indoor events where you have people crowding together and dancing and singing, so the general admission, it is the same across the board for all venues. Those large venues, they must have seated areas in front of the stage. They cannot have the general admission mosh pit in front of a concert, and the application of that is the same across the board.

We are doing this incrementally. We know that indoor settings are riskier than outdoor settings. We know that the vaccine card is one of the ways that we can reduce and mitigate that risk, but it's not the same everywhere. We have to be mindful that some of these settings are riskier.

We are doing things in an incremental way. We're looking at things like the vaccination rates in the community, like the amount of virus that's circulating in the community, the ability of people to wear masks. Those are all things that I'm working with my colleagues across the province. We spent quite a bit of time this week, and we'll be looking at how do we harmonize these and make these stronger, but this is not the time to make major changes that increase risk dramatically.

It affects all of those venues across the board, where we are requiring people to have access to a seat, because when people are seated, the risk is that much lower than when you're mingling with people.

Travel Advisory: REMINDER – Travelling to the U.S.? COVID-19 Border Measures and Testing Requirements Remain in Place when You Come Home

While Canadians have been welcoming US residents for what's deemed non-essential travel since early August, the US began allowing fully vaccinated travellers from Canada to enter their country at land and ferry points of entry for discretionary (non-essential) reasons, such as tourism on Monday, November 8th.

Travellers are reminded that border measures remain in place for travellers entering or returning to Canada and that they should get informed and understand their obligations as they make their travel plans.

Fully vaccinated travellers coming or returning to Canada must complete the mandatory pre-arrival molecular COVID-19 test and submit their information, including their digital proof of vaccination in English or French using the free ArriveCAN (App or website) within 72 hours before arriving in Canada. Antigen tests, often called “rapid tests,” are not accepted. Fully vaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada continue to be subject to mandatory random testing on arrival.

For short trips that are less than 72 hours, Canadian citizens, people registered under the Indian Act, permanent residents and protected persons travelling to the United States are allowed to take their pre-arrival molecular test before they leave Canada. If the test is more than 72 hours old when they re-enter Canada, they will be required to get a new pre-arrival molecular test in the United States.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada must continue to follow pre-arrival, arrival and Day-8 molecular COVID-19 testing requirements, and quarantine for 14 days.

Resources:

• Full details on the current measures in place for travellers entering or returning to Canada

• Information on Canada's proof of vaccination for travel.

• ArriveCAN

Indoor Mask Mandate Extended | BC Gov News

On October 29th, the Provincial Health officer extended the mask mandate that requires masks to be worn in all indoor public spaces throughout British Columbia.

The previous order, which was set to expire on October 31st, has been extended to continue to slow the transmission of COVID-19.

Masks are required in all public indoor settings for all people five and older, regardless of vaccination status. These settings include:

• Malls, shopping centres, coffee shops and retail and grocery stores, liquor and drug stores

  Airports, city halls, libraries, community and recreation centres

• Restaurants, pubs and bars (unless seated)

• On public transportation, in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle

• Areas of office buildings where services to the public are provided

• Common areas of sport and fitness centres when not engaged in physical activity

• Common areas of post-secondary institutions and non-profit organizations

• Inside schools for all K-12 staff, visitors and students

Masks may be removed temporarily in indoor public places:

• To identify the individual wearing the mask

• To consume food or beverage at a location designated for this purpose

  While participating in a sport or fitness activity in a sport facility

• While receiving a personal or health service that requires the mask to be removed

People who cannot wear a mask or who cannot put on or remove a mask without the assistance of others are exempt. A person may not be able to wear a mask for a psychological, behavioural or health condition or due to a physical, cognitive or mental impairment.

Operators of indoor public spaces, schools, and post-secondary institutions and organizers of inside events must post signage at the entrance to all indoor areas covered by this order notifying that face coverings are required to be worn in accordance with this order.

Nothing in this order prevents an operator, school or post-secondary institution or organizer of an inside event from having additional requirements in relation to face coverings.