Stay Safe | Industry-Wide Cleaning Standards and guidance
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Throughout the pandemic, more than 2,200 Canadian hotels have turned to Safe Stay guidance to assist their operations. This guideline, which was developed by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and adopted for Canadian hotels in accordance with recommended health practices from PHAC, will continue to provide every hotel in Canada with enhanced cleaning and safety protocols that can be implemented in the hotel environment in order to keep both guests and employees safe as we transition to our post-COVID-19 reality.
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BC Step 3 Industry Communications Toolkit
the BCHA and our industry partners have worked hand-in-hand to develop a communications toolkit, aimed at providing you with all the necessary details and guidance as we transition to Step 3.
We strongly encourage each of you to explore the Step 3 Restart Toolkit which delivers guidance on:
We strongly encourage each of you to explore the Step 3 Restart Toolkit which delivers guidance on:
- Communications – High-level language to help you describe to local residents, visitors, business travellers, and employees the current step of the Restart Plan we are in, the state of travel, and where we are heading together.
- Health and Safety Protocols – The state of emergency has been lifted, and health and safety guidelines have changed. This section outlines those guidelines in place for the current step, which restrictions can be removed if operators are comfortable, and links to key information.
- Workforce – As some workers in the tourism sector found new work during the pandemic, hiring will be critical and challenging. This section has information on rehiring, recruiting, and training staff.
- Marketing – This provides a snapshot of the major marketing efforts planned, to help the sector be aligned as we recover together
BC Step 2 restart best practices and protocols
All employers resuming operations are required to develop a COVID-19 Safety Plan that outlines the policies, guidelines, and procedures they have put in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in their business. This plan follows the six steps outlined in the COVID-19 and returning to safe operation template developed by WorkSafeBC.
Employers must involve frontline workers, joint health and safety committees, and supervisors in identifying protocols and cleaning and disinfecting guidelines for their workplace. They do not need a formal plan in place to begin operation, but are expected to develop it while protecting the safety of their workers.
Employers are required to post their safety plan on their websites (if they have one) and at their workplace, and have it available for WorkSafeBC or health officers on request. For an updated list of Public Health Orders click here.
Employers must involve frontline workers, joint health and safety committees, and supervisors in identifying protocols and cleaning and disinfecting guidelines for their workplace. They do not need a formal plan in place to begin operation, but are expected to develop it while protecting the safety of their workers.
Employers are required to post their safety plan on their websites (if they have one) and at their workplace, and have it available for WorkSafeBC or health officers on request. For an updated list of Public Health Orders click here.
TOURISM & HOSPITALITY BEST PRACTICES - ACCOMMODATIONS
Working with key stakeholders, the BCHA has developed essential guidelines to assist you in developing your own plan to restart or ramp up operations for Phase 3 of the restart plan.
This comprehensive document has been submitted to Government and Industry. These best practices are intended to support reopening in phase 3 of the restart plan to support employee, guest, and business health and safety.
Thank you to our partner, go2HR, for their support in developing this document, using guidelines from BC CDC, HAC, WorkSafeBC, BCHA, BCLCA, BLBCA, Lodges, Condo Hotels, Hostels, Motels, and Bed & Breakfasts.’
We will continue to update this living document as new protocols and information are released by government and will ensure that all iterations are shared with you in a clear, timely manner.
This comprehensive document has been submitted to Government and Industry. These best practices are intended to support reopening in phase 3 of the restart plan to support employee, guest, and business health and safety.
Thank you to our partner, go2HR, for their support in developing this document, using guidelines from BC CDC, HAC, WorkSafeBC, BCHA, BCLCA, BLBCA, Lodges, Condo Hotels, Hostels, Motels, and Bed & Breakfasts.’
We will continue to update this living document as new protocols and information are released by government and will ensure that all iterations are shared with you in a clear, timely manner.
Meeting & events best practices & protocols
We understand that there has been a lot of misinformation and confusion around acceptable meetings and events within your hotels. We have developed this guide in consultation with the Ministry of Health. Our team at the BCHA is leading the effort to help our industry recover and we will continue to update this document as things change. The government has been clear with us that they are hoping that small events , safely done, will help in the overall recovery in the province. It is up to our industry to lead with solutions and build consumer confidence.
Best Practices
Best Practices
- Communication
- Communicate from the beginning of the event sales cycle. Develop a high-level event guide for your prospective clients and get progressively more detailed as you move the client through the process. Include information on what the client can expect during site inspections, in your contract and on BEO’s. Support everything with signage during the event.
- Develop an internal guideline to events inside your building. Include your entire team in the plan and help them understand why it is so important to familiarize themselves with the protocols. Use the links to the Public Health Orders and the FAQ below. Help them understand the “why’s” and “why not’s” of the procedures.
- The final communication piece is with the client. Build some extra time into your workflow to ensure the client is on the same page with hotel. We all have a greater responsibility to each other in this day and age and the client is no different.
- Over Arching Event Principles Focus all of your planning and communication around these principles:
- 50 guests maximum. Employees and vendors are not included in this count.
- Contact tracing procedures are mandatory.
- Physical Distancing at all times.
- Masks should be worn when physical distancing is not possible
- Use barriers or protective equipment wherever possible
The BC Meetings & Events Industry Working Group has release their new B.C. Meetings & Events Safe Restart Guidelines draft. This document will be the basis for the eventual re-opening of the meetings and events sector across the province. These extensive guidelines have been created for all types of events and operators.
Vetted by WorkSafe BC, the BC Centre for Disease Control, and the Provincial Health Ministry, these standards align with the requirements mandated by the health authority showing that the Meetings & Events industry take the public health and risk mitigation seriously.
This is a critical step to demonstrate commitment across the industry sectors and will prove competency to the provincial government and health authorities. It will ensure that the industry can conduct meetings and events in a safe, controlled, and effective manner. The end goal is to encourage the government and PHO to loosen restrictions on meetings and events with a phased approach.
Created by a voluntary, cross-section group in June, the group is working to advocate for a phased restart plan approach. The focus is to bring the industry together for support in adopting the guidelines and engaging the Tourism Ministry.
Vetted by WorkSafe BC, the BC Centre for Disease Control, and the Provincial Health Ministry, these standards align with the requirements mandated by the health authority showing that the Meetings & Events industry take the public health and risk mitigation seriously.
This is a critical step to demonstrate commitment across the industry sectors and will prove competency to the provincial government and health authorities. It will ensure that the industry can conduct meetings and events in a safe, controlled, and effective manner. The end goal is to encourage the government and PHO to loosen restrictions on meetings and events with a phased approach.
Created by a voluntary, cross-section group in June, the group is working to advocate for a phased restart plan approach. The focus is to bring the industry together for support in adopting the guidelines and engaging the Tourism Ministry.
guidelines for covid positive guests
In the case that a guest tests positive for COVID while in house, please follow the below guidelines:
- Firstly, the guests should be asked to call 811 and follow the advice given
- If the guests have used their own vehicle to get there, they should return home if their symptoms are not severe (in their own vehicle) and get tested at their place of residence. They should be reminded to wear masks if they need to stop on the way.
- If they need to take public transportation (including transfers, flights) to return to their residence, then they will not be able to return and will have to test locally and isolate in their room until they get the results. They will have to quarantine if they test positive.
- The hotel can also call their local health authority for advice based on the specifics of the scenario
- If there were any staff that came in close contact with these guests, they should isolate and monitor symptoms until the tests are returned, and should be encouraged to call 811
- Deep clean all areas that affected guests were known to have visited
- Clear communication on the website and during check in will help avoid surprises. Businesses really need to emphasize that guests should not travel in the first place, if they feel unwell or think they have been around someone who has COVID-19.
- The hotel should have clear policies on cancellation/refunds
ADDITIONAL BEST PRACTICE PROTOCOL RESOURCES
ACCOMMODATIONS RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND PUBS ARTS & CULTURAL FACILITIES PARKS OFFICES RETAIL SPA
STR data
Founded in 1985, STR provides premium data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights for global hospitality sectors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, STR has released their webinar on Using STR Data in Times of Crisis and Recovery as well as information for the hotel industry on navigating the information in times of COVID-19.
Amadeus
Amadeus continues to communicate on support during these difficult times for our industry. Their priority is to ensure the health and well-being of employees and continuing to support customers. By providing relevant and timely content outlining best practices to maintain your business, connect with your guests, and plan for future recovery, they continue to help navigate through these difficult times. Watch their recent webinar on Planning for Hospitality Recovery
