[URGENT] COVID-19
COVID-19 Updates & Recommendations
The CBVA has been monitoring industry and government recommendations of the evolving impact of COVID-19. With tourism being a vital aspect of our world economy, we feel that it is important to bring you informed information.
There are step-by-step guides to prepare your businesses and staff for emergencies, with templates and tools to help operators easily plan a fast and effective response that is available on the TIABC website, Destination BC website, and at PreparedBC.
Multiple health and tourism/hospitality organizations have developed resources and official sources of information on COVID-19:
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To protect people in BC against the COVID-19 and mitigate the impact of this illness on communities, the Province and the BC’s chief medical health officer have developed the British Columbia Pandemic Provincial Co-ordination Plan to respond to the evolving outbreak. Phase 1 of the plan is underway, addressing identification and containment. As new COVID-19 materials are produced, they will be published at: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/pandemic-influenza
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HealthLink BC - Up-to-date information COVID-19
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BC Centre for Disease Control - Advisories, instructions
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Public Health Agency of Canada - Up-to-date information COVID-19
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United Nations World Tourism Organization - Guidance, advisories
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Destination British Columbia - Updates, toolkit, links to resources
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TIABC - Updates, guidance, links to resources
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Canadian Inbound Tourism Operators Association - Policies, guidance
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Vancouver Airport Authority - Travel protocols, screening, advisories
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Cruise Lines International Association - Travel protocols, cancellations, advisories
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Air Canada -Change fees, cancellations, travel protocols
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WestJet - Change fees, cancellations, travel protocols -
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Restaurants Canada - Policies, procedures, guidance
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BC Hotel Association - Policies, procedures, guidance -
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Small Business BC - What workers and employers need to know
Recommendations for Travelers
Check your health insurance to see if you are covered when abroad in case the situation arises that you need
Recommendations for Travelers
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Check your health insurance to see if you are covered when abroad in case the situation arises that you need medical care
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Monitor the World Health Organization’s site and your own country’s precautions
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Check your itinerary to see if any border closures have been put in place
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Bring extra medication in case you are delayed returning home due to quarantines or border closures
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Follow the recommended health safety recommendations regarding handwashing and wipe surfaces while traveling as an extra precaution
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If you want or need to cancel your plans, check your traveler’s insurance to see if it covers your reason for cancellation
Recommendations for Tour Operators
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Consider your cancellation policy carefully and decide whether it will benefit your long-term relationship with your travelers to offer refunds or credits or no cancellation penalties to encourage future bookings
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Monitor countries on your itineraries to understand if border closures or traveler bans may create problems for your travelers when returning home
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Consider if it is best to cancel your trip to protect your traveler’s health and ensure a good experience
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Offer any support needed regarding hotel, air, and transportation cancellations
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Communicate regularly to your clients and guests
PREPAREDNESS TIPS
CBVA members can plan on how they need to adapt to the current situation. The aim is to provide your clients with the confidence to hold their bookings while keeping staff and clients healthy in the process. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list, rather a place to start planning. Having a viable response plan in place will help increase guest confidence and hopefully help save bookings.
Our partner, the Wilderness Tourism Association, has further information on Preparedness Tips on their website.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. kathy@bearviewing.ca
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