Guidelines, templates, and other resources to help retail businesses in B.C. develop a COVID-19 Safety Plan and re-open safely.
Latest Update - May 26th, 2021: The B.C. government launched BC's Restart—a new 4-step plan for safe reopening. Indoor dining is now allowed within the guidelines.
Distancing Requirements
Retail businesses are required to:
- Establish capacity limits based on 5 square metres of unencumbered space per person
- Post occupancy limits
- Where practical, post directional signs to keep people moving in the same direction and not congregating
Mask Requirements
Masks are now required for everyone in all public indoor settings and workplaces. People who cannot wear a mask or who cannot put on or remove a mask on their own are exempt.
- Employers are expected to enforce the mandatory mask policy with both employees and customers
- A customer can be refused entry or service if they do not wear a mask
WorkSafeBC Guidelines for Re-opening
WorkSafeBC published Retail: Protocols for returning to operation to help retailers develop a Safety Plan and re-open safely. The detailed guidelines cover various levels of protection you may need to develop measures for.
These protocols are for businesses providing retail services in a variety of environments, including shops, malls, and department stores, as well as those with a retail component, such as gas stations. They cover store layout, dealing with customers, deliveries, and other important parts of your operations.
If you have continued to operate through the COVID-19 pandemic, these protocols may be used to further strengthen your measures to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19.
Related WorkSafeBC guidelines if your workplace includes other environments:
View Retail: Protocols for returning to operation
Industry Guidelines
Retail Council of Canada
The Retail Council of Canada has prepared a comprehensive document detailing global best practices from retailers around the world on operating their business during the COVID-19 pandemic. The official industry guidelines include:
- A framework of key issues to consider as retailers prepare to re-open
- Examples of practices observed from retailers across various sub-sectors around the world
- Key issues to consider in implementing tactics from other regions
View Retail Council of Canada – COVID-19 Response Planning Document
Please Note: This document is not intended to be legal advice or to replace local health and government guidelines.
