Links to resources and guidance for specific industries.
Alongside the financial support programs announced by the Government of British Columbia and the Government of Canada, there are plenty of community resources designed to help individuals and businesses during this time.
Latest Update - September 13th, 2021: Some businesses need proof of vaccination to access certain events, services and businesses.
- Read the latest Province-wide restrictions
- WorkSafe BC: COVID-19 BC Vaccine Card
- Government of BC: Proof of vaccination information for businesses
- Government of BC: Proof of vaccination and the BC Vaccine Card
On this page:
- General Industry Resources
- Resources for British Columbia’s Restaurants, Breweries, Wineries and Distillers
- Resources for British Columbia's Tourism Industry
- Resources for British Columbia's Tech Industry
- Resources for British Columbia's Apparel Industry
- Resources for British Columbia's Retail Sector
- Resources for British Columbia's Health Professionals
General Industry Resources
WorkSafeBC has created comprehensive resources for businesses operating during Phases 3 & 4 of BC's Restart plan. These include:
- Communicable disease prevention resources and signage
- B.C.'s Paid Covid-19 Sick Leave Reimbursement Program
- Guidelines on the COVID-19 BC Vaccine Card
Resources for British Columbia’s Restaurants, Breweries, Wineries and Distillers
Latest Provincial Health Officer orders
- Content Summary of Latest Orders
- Province-wide Restrictions - November 19th, 2020
- Gatherings and Events – October 9th, 2020
- Food and Liquor Serving Premises - October 9th, 2020
Temporary Expedited Patio Program (TEPP)
Vancouver businesses can set up free temporary patios in front of or beside their business in an on-street parking space or on the sidewalk.
Summer temporary patio applications open March 1st, 2021. Businesses with winter temporary patio permits, who are compliant with the program's safety standards, are eligible for early bird renewals starting February 17th, 2021.
Review the 5-step expedited process at the City of Vancouver's Temporary Expedited Patio Program page.
Support for liquor licensees
Restaurants, bars and tourism operators with liquor licenses can purchase beer, wine and spirits at the wholesale price set by the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) on a permanent basis. Temporary changes to allow for wholesale pricing were set to expire March 31st, 2021.
B.C. restaurant alcohol delivery extension
The government has approved an extension to the temporary authorization that allows food-primary and liquor-primary licensees to sell and deliver sealed, packaged liquor products alongside the purchase of a meal for off-site consumption.
This authorization, which was set to expire on Oct. 31st, 2020, has been extended to March 31, 2021, to continue to provide businesses with relief from the financial hardship of the pandemic.
Restaurants Canada COVID-19 Resource Page
As the foodservice industry moves to the recovery and reopening phase, Restaurants Canada has put together a comprehensive resource list to help businesses make their plan. Resources include:
Resources for British Columbia's Tourism Industry
British Columbia’s tourism industry faces unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the Government of Canada and B.C. government are taking strong and direct steps to support our tourism businesses and help them navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Destination BC Tourism Industry Resources
Destination BC has gathered a comprehensive list of all the supports and resources available to those in the tourism industry.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Destination BC has also taken immediate steps to address the severe global conditions affecting local tourism. It is their goal to support industry as much as possible and provide the strongest possible outcomes once the crisis is over. This significant recovery campaign will encompass three phases – Response, Recovery and Resilience.
Read More about Destination BC’s COVID-19 Response
Small Business BC has also partnered with Destination BC to provide tailored advice in accountancy, law, and other business areas to Destination BC clients through our Talk to an Expert service.
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture: Updates and FAQs
This page contains updates to policies and programs made as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also contains information on how COVID-19 has affected government funding for cancelled or postponed events.
BC Tourism Resiliency Network
The BC Tourism Resiliency Network is a long-term resiliency program providing BC tourism businesses with meaningful, one-on-one support to navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, adapt and work towards eventual recovery.
Working together across the province, the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat is leading the BC Tourism Resiliency Network. Each program will be delivered in their respective regions by Tourism Vancouver Island, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association and Northern BC Tourism Association. Vancouver, Coast & Mountains is managed by Destination BC.
Hotel Association of Canada: COVID-19 Information for Hoteliers
The Hotel Association of Canada is monitoring developments around COVID-19 closely and is working in partnership with Public Health to bring you the latest developments. This resource list contains supports and information specific for hoteliers in Canada.
Go2HR – COVID-19 FAQs for Tourism Employers
This page will be updated frequently, to provide information to help address common HR and health and safety inquiries related to COVID-19 in the tourism industry.
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Resiliency Program
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is working closely with industry partners to actively monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry and strengthen supports for the tourism industry. Connect With A TOTA Resiliency Advisor.
Resources for British Columbia's Tech Industry
Businesses in British Columbia’s rapidly growing tech industry have several dedicated supports to call on:
BC Tech Association
The BC Tech Association has launched a dedicated Knowledge Centre for COVID-19 news and updates. It contains information on the following:
- BC Tech Programs
- BC Tech C-Councils
- Weekly Q&A with CEO Jill Tipping
- BC Tech Guide to Getting Back to the Office
Innovation Canada
Updated regularly by the Government of Canada, Innovation Canada lists resources for businesses across Canada, with information on how to apply and eligibility criteria.
Foresight
Foresight, a clean-tech innovation centre, has compiled a list of resources for tech businesses impacted by COVID-19.
Resources for British Columbia's Apparel Industry
The Canadian Apparel Federation has launched a dedicated COVID-19 Resource Centre for businesses impacted by the pandemic.
Resources for British Columbia's Retail Sector
Mask Requirements
Please refer to PHO order on masks in indoor settings for the latest public health 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.
Resources for British Columbia's Health Professionals
WorkSafe BC and the BC Centre for Disease Control are valuable resources for health care professionals.
Health Professional Colleges
Each college has developed guidelines for the return to safe operations during COVID-19. Please refer to your relevant college for the most up-to-date guidelines:
- BC College of Nursing Professionals
- College of Chiropractors of BC
- College of Dental Hygienists of BC
- College of Dental Surgeons of BC
- College of Dental Technicians of BC
- College of Denturists of BC
- College of Dietitians of BC
- College of Massage Therapists of BC
- College of Midwives of BC
- College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC
- College of Occupational Therapists of BC
- College of Opticians of BC
- College of Optometrists of BC
- College of Pharmacists of BC
- College of Physical Therapists of BC
- College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC
- College of Podiatric Surgeons of BC
- College of Psychologists of BC
- College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC
Canadian Psychological Association
The Canadian Psychological Association produced a series of fact sheets in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
View Canadian Psychological Association resources
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association published COVID-19 recommendations for practitioners.
View Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association recommendations
