COVID-19 business best practices

Whistler's guidelines for a safe restart

As BC moves into phase 3 of its restart plan, the restoration of Whistler's services will begin as the economy progressively reopens and a "new normal" is established. 

During this progressive reopening, 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. 

It is important to note that the Provincial Health Officer has ordered that all employers must post a copy of your 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.

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 "Stop the Spread of Germs" poster

Council presentation on restaurant use and capacity and outdoor patio amendments

The RMOW also has resources available for businesses returning to operation, for more information about available resources 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. Businesses are encouraged to exercise greater accommodation for these age groups in terms of work space, more flexible hours of work or shopping or working at home options.

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.