Todays industry update includes:
- ABLE BC Updates
- Last chance to order 2021 ID Checking Guides
- Super Bowl Sunday
- go2HR Updates
- Responding to Difficult Guest Situations During a Pandemic
- COVID-19 Safety Plan Review Initiative
- ABLE BC Upcoming AGM
- Business Council of BC: Looking ahead to 2021
- TOTA Tourism Skills Training Program: Now Accepting Applications
- Save the Date - BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference!
- In the News
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For any questions please reach out to our team.
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Last chance to order 2021 ID Checking Guides |
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The NEW 2021 North American ID Checking Guide Book and NEW 14th Edition International ID Checking Guide Book are now available to order through the ABLE BC office. Both guides have been updated since 2020.
Place your order HERE by end of day Thursday, February 4, 2021.
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.
For more information on the ID Checking Guide Books, including pricing please scroll down or download our FAQ.
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We know many of you have questions and concerns about Super Bowl Sunday and how your establishments may be impacted.
ABLE BC has been in regular discussion with the Provincial Health Officer and her staff about how licensed establishments can operate during Super Bowl.
We are not aware of any new restrictions that will be coming into place. If there are any changes, we will let you know as soon as possible. Given that the Super Bowl takes place during the day and early evening, we do not anticipate any changes to your hours.
However, we strongly recommend that you ensure whatever programming you do have planned for Super Bowl does not become an event, as defined in the PHO public order:
Event refers to an in-person gathering of people in any place whether private or public, inside or outside, organized or not, on a one-time, regular or irregular basis, including […] a musical, theatrical or dance entertainment or performance; a live solo or band musical performance; a disc jockey performance […] auction; fund raising benefit; contest; competition; quiz; game; rally; festival; presentation; demonstration; group sport […]
For the full event definition please see page 5 of the public order.
Under current regulations, you are not allowed to host a ticketed Super Bowl Party or promote the Super Bowl in such a way that it is encouraging people to gather at your establishment.
We understand there is confusion among health inspectors and differing interpretations of what constitutes an event. While we know it's frustrating we can't give you a definitive answer of 'event,' we're currently working to get that clarification.
Remember that you must continue to follow all public health protocols during Super Bowl Sunday, including:
- Patrons must be able to maintain a distance of two meters from other patrons unless they are separated by physical barriers
- Patrons must be assigned to a table, booth, or counter and shown to their seats. Patrons must stay in the seat to which they are assigned, or at which they seat themselves, and must not move from table to table
- Liquor may only be served to patrons who are seated
- There must be no more than six patrons seated at a table or booth, even if they belong to the same party
- You must determine the maximum number of patrons who can be accommodated safely on your premises and monitor that number
- You must take steps to prevent the congregation of patrons inside and outside your premises
- Background music, including live solo and live band music, and any other background sounds, including from televisions and electronic sound producing devices, must not be amplified and must be no louder than the volume of normal conversation.
There will be additional scrutiny on our industry because of Super Bowl and we must all work together and continue to abide by public health protocols. If you have any questions about the protocols, please contact ABLE BC: info@ablebc.ca.
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Responding to Difficult Guest Situations
During a Pandemic
Providing positive guest experiences during the time of a pandemic can be challenging at times, especially when some guests are not following businesses’ established Health & Safety protocols.
go2HR has developed a script document for frontline staff to refer to in tough situations. go2HR's team of HR and training experts have developed scenarios which staff could likely encounter in their workplace, and suggested scripts on how to respond to non-compliant guests.
Download the full document here
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COVID-19 Safety Plan Review Initiative
go2HR’s team of health and safety professionals has launched a new program to help accommodations businesses review their COVID-19 safety plan. Their experts will review your safety plan and provide recommendations and targeted feedback to help you meet current requirements.
This new initiative is designed to support employers in conducting an effective review of their COVID-19 safety plans and to help ensure all the relevant orders, guidance and industry protocols have been factored in.
After registering, you will be contacted by a member of go2HR’s health and safety team and will be asked to submit your COVID-19 safety plan documentation to go2HR by email. (All documents received will be treated in confidence). A 1:1 telephone consultation may also be requested, to learn more about your business and to discuss the specifics of your safety plan.
Your safety plan will be reviewed against a comprehensive checklist. The completed checklist will be sent to you, outlining the key findings and suggestions for further development of your plan.
Please contact go2HR’s health and safety team if you have any questions about your current plan or need support with any other aspect of workplace health and safety: safety@go2hr.ca
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Business Council of BC: Looking ahead to 2021 |
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The BC Business Council has continued to provide a strong position in support of our industry, and allowed our industry to connect with other leading industries in the province to identify opportunities to work together, to advocate for each other and to ensure education for the provincial government, and insights for BC Businesses. The round table discussions and updates have been very valuable over the past months of this pandemic.
Please find below the latest newsletter from the BC Business Council.
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TOTA Tourism Skills Training Program: Now Accepting Applications |
Online Course Dates:
February 8 - May 5, 2021
(Mon - Thurs, 9 AM - 4 PM)
Application Deadline:
February 3, 2021
Limited seats available
Do you know someone looking for a new job or ready to dive into a fun, fast paced career bringing joy to people's lives? Someone eager to develop the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary to thrive in the evolving world of responsible tourism?
TOTA is offering the Tourism Skills Training Program FREE of charge to unemployed, seasonal, part-time, and casual workers. This 13-week intensive LIVE online learning program pairs practical Canadian tourism skills with key industry certifications so participants can jump into a local tourism role or grow a tourism business in 2021.
Students will learn about current hospitality trends from local tourism leaders through interactive learning sessions, online mentoring, and digital tours of leading companies.
Spring is around the corner, which is peak hiring season for Thompson Okanagan wineries, golf courses, tour operators, visitor centres, hotels, campgrounds, resorts, restaurants, and transportation services. The program will conclude with a virtual job fair so participants can take what they learn and put it into action this summer.
Applicant Eligibility Requirements:
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Living in Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia (including Shuswap, Boundary Country, Similkameen, and Gold Country/Nicola Valley)
- Legally able to work in Canada
- Currently unemployed or working casual, seasonal, or part-time
- Over 15 years of age
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Save the Date - BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference! |
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TIABC and the BC Hotel Association will be co-hosting the BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference (virtually) during the week of March 8th to 12th, 2021.
Stay tuned for more details soon.
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Global BC COVID-19 Town Hall: Jan. 28 | Watch News...
Watch Global BC COVID-19 Town Hall: Jan. 28 Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
Read more
globalnews.ca
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Feds roll out government aid for hardest-hit businesses
Businesses in B.C. and elsewhere across Canada can start applying for the federal government's Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) as of February 1. HASCAP provides up to $1 million in low-interest loans to single...
Read more
biv.com
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Mandatory hotel quarantine, airport testing announced -...
UPDATE: 9:05 a.m. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced all Canadian travellers returning from overseas will have to take a COVID-19 test at the airport when they land and quarantine in a designated hotel for three days at their own expense ...
Read more
www.castanet.net
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COVID-19: Calgary hotel association worried about...
Some Calgary hotels are bracing for some new - and possibly irate - guests. On Friday, the federal government announced mandatory testing requirements at select airports for people returning to Canada amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which means while ...
Read more
globalnews.ca
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Trudeau announces suspended flights to Caribbean, Mexico ...
Canada's main airlines are suspending service to popular sun destinations, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday. Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing, and Air Transat will suspend service to all Caribbean destinations and Mexico starting Sunday ...
Read more
www.castanet.net
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