COVID-19 business best practices

Whistler's guidelines for a safe restart

The phased approach to BC's Restart Plan is on pause for the duration of province-wide restrictions, however, Whistler's services have continued to return to service as the economy progressively reopens and a "new normal" is established. 

As we navigate these unprecedented times, it is critical that all Whistler businesses take a proactive approach to ensuring all required practices are in place before reopening, in order to manage risk – both for the community and visitors alike. The Provincial Health Officer has ordered specific practices to be implemented and these orders must be followed.  Guidance has also been provided for specific industry sectors below. 

It is important to note that the Provincial Health Officer has ordered that all employers must post a copy of their COVID-19 Safety Plan on their website, if they have a website, and at the workplace so that it is readily available for review by workers, other persons who may attend at the workplace to provide services and members of the public.

Our community’s recovery relies on each of us doing our part.

The RMOW encourages all individuals to take social distancing recommendations from public health officials very seriously and is taking steps to support businesses to understand and implement what is required for their respective industry sector. In addition to this, the RMOW is encouraging those visiting Whistler Village and Whistler's parks and outdoor areas to:

• Stay at least 2 metres (6 feet) from others in public. Give others space to keep their distance too.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer and avoid touching your face.
• Please wear a mask when it is difficult to maintain 2m distance from others, such as inside stores and along the Village Stroll during busy times.

Business Toolkit

The RMOW has produced a short two page reference guide on best practices for businesses looking to return to safe operation.

Click here for two page reference guide on restarting

Click here to download the WorkSafeBC "COVID19 Safety Plan"

Click here to download "Stop the Spread of Germs" poster

Click here to download "COVID19 is not on vacation" poster

The RMOW has a sticker program to recognize Whistler businesses that have worked hard to put in place visible measures such as posting their Safety Plan and maximum occupancy, placing Plexiglass barriers between staff and customers, clearly marking out physical distancing on their premises and in outdoor lineups, encouraging mask-wearing and having their staff model physical distancing and mask-wearing.

Businesses with adequate COVID-19 safety measures in place can receive a “We are helping prevent the spread of COVID-19” window sticker to display for customers.

For more information about available resources, or to receive your stickers, contact economicdevelopment@whistler.ca .

Core Workplace Guidelines

To ensure the safety of the Whistler community and those visiting, it is important to follow procedures to reduce contact intensity (how close you are to someone and for how long) and the number of contacts (how many people are in the same setting at the same time) to reduce the risk of transmission.

In order to safely restart Whistler's economy, the RMOW advises all businesses to follow the guidance as provided by the Ministry of Health:

• Promote and monitor personal self care actions in your organization.
• Promote and implement the core measures for managing social interaction in your organizational setting
• Establish clear policies to ensure that individuals who have the symptoms of a cold, flu, or COVID-19 do not come into the workplace. 
• Conduct frequent cleaning of “high touch” areas in workplaces throughout the day and provide hand sanitizer stands at entrances or around workplaces and shops.
• Where appropriate increase use of temporary physical barriers (such as Plexiglas at service counters).
• Focus on how you will support and accommodate higher-risk populations including those 65+ and those with underlying medical conditions.

In addition to this general guidance, the links below provide best practices, additional information and restart plans created by government and sector partners for all Whistler businesses to follow as they plan to resume operation.