[Viva] Fwd: COVID-19 Update - New economic and social actions

[Tami Starlight]

Update for Vancouver / unceded coast Salish 

Sent from a phone
Tami Starlight - she her hers/they them theirs
Unceded coast Salish / Vancouver, Canada
tamistarlight at gmail.com
https://theantioppressionnetwork.com
Twitter @theaonetwork
https://noterfsnoswerfs.com
Instagram/twitter @noterfsnoswerfs
https://www.facebook.com/TheCoalitionAgainstTransAntagonism/



Begin forwarded message:

> From: Kennedy Stewart <info at kennedystewart.ca>
> Date: March 20, 2020 at 2:52:52 PM PDT
> To: Tami Starlight <tamistarlight at gmail.com>
> Subject: COVID-19 Update - New economic and social actions
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Tami,
> 
> Today, we are announcing some more changes in both operations and public measures the City is taking to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
> 
> We are making more changes because the latest numbers continue to demonstrate that despite the extraordinary efforts of Federal, Provincial and local governments, we are one of the hardest hit regions in the country.
> 
> This is why we cannot rest or slow down, we need to keep taking bold action.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Supports for vulnerable residents
> 
> As we previously announced, the City has formed a task force with Vancouver Coastal Health, BC Housing and our community partners to implement a plan of action that focuses on highly vulnerable populations, including residents in the Downtown Eastside.
> 
> Some of the steps that have already been taken include:
> 
> Distributing information on an ongoing basis through community organizations and peers
> 
> A plan for handwashing and hygiene which includes sourcing additional handwashing stations
> 
> Producing guidance for private SROs and shelters
> 
> Conducting contingency planning with partners, such as determining distribution plans for vital supplies
> Also in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health and BC Housing, we are setting up two medical referral centres for people who are experiencing symptoms but currently cannot self isolate.
> 
> The facilities, at Coal Harbour Community Centre and Roundhouse Community Centre, will be run by a BC Housing appointed operator and VCH will provide medical care to anyone referred there.
> 
> 
> All Dine-in Services Prohibited
> 
> Over the last few days, we have asked food and beverage serving establishments to close to the public and only open for takeout or delivery.
> 
> While compliance has continued to rise we are still observing people in restaurants and cafes, in close proximity, despite our best efforts.
> 
> That is why we are exercising our new emergency powers.
> 
> By order of the City Manager, all restaurants and bars are to discontinue dine-in service effective midnight tonight.
> 
> Failure to comply will lead to prosecution.
> 
> This was a decision we did not take lightly. It will mean serious hardship for many people, workers and business owners, but it is an action that has been implemented in many other cities around the world, and we felt we needed to act sooner rather than later.
> 
> My message to all retailers who remain open is this: now is the time to take aggressive action to do your part to limit the spread of COVID-19.
> 
> If we continue to see non-essential retailers and service providers ignoring our new reality we will not hesitate to take further action.
> 
> 
> Economic Measures
> 
> These changes and this new reality is having significant economic impacts to our local economy, especially for small businesses who may not have the fiscal capacity to withstand a long closure.
> 
> That is why, as an immediate relief measure, Council and I are directing our Finance team to implement a 60 day grace period for all property tax payments.
> 
> They are working on this now, and details will follow soon.
> 
> I am also announcing today the formation of an Economic Recovery Task Force.
> 
> I have spoken with the Vancouver Board of Trade and local BIAs, and staff have already tasked the Vancouver Economic Commission with outreach to our business community.
> 
> This Taskforce will bring all of these efforts together into one coordinated place and will unite all of our senior finance staff to look at all options to assist our local economy with immediate assistance and longer term recovery, and what we need to ask for from senior levels of government.
> 
> We already have some specific economic asks to support local businesses to the Province thanks to the quick work of the Intergovernmental Working Group:
> 
> We are asking the Province to expand the existing Residential Tax Deferment Program to cover all Class 1 - Residential, Class 6 - Business, and Class 8 – Non-profit properties.
> 
> We are asking the Province to implement a Business Tax Deferment Program to support landlords and tenants, and ensure that any benefits derived from the program are passed onto tenants.
> 
> We are asking the Province standardize the remittances of all provincial taxes we collect on their behalf and allow us to extend the due date without us being out of pocket for them.
> These are quick and immediate actions the Province can help us take while we keep working on more longer-term supports.
> 
> 
> Support for Non-Profits and Civil Society
> 
> We are also seeing civil society groups come together to provide much needed support for non-profits and community serving organizations. 
> 
> Today, with support from the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Foundation and Vancity are launching a COVID-19 Response Fund to support services and programs designed for the most vulnerable populations across British Columbia.
> 
> The almost $4 million fund will support charities that provide frontline services to populations disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus and its economic consequences. Click here for more details.
> 
> 
> A message to staff and the public
> 
> To staff I want to say this: Thank you for your tireless work.
> 
> While we keep telling the public that they need to stay home and limit their time outside, we have dedicated folks on front lines that are keeping essential services going.
> 
> Thank you, thank you, thank you.
> 
> Finally, I want to speak directly to anyone who up till now hasn’t taken this situation seriously.
> 
> The changes being announced today are major.
> 
> They will deeply impact our small business community and will mean many, many people will be laid off – or need to close their businesses.
> 
> We are doing this because we think this is what we need to do to keep vulnerable people from getting seriously ill – or worse.
> 
> In the last number of days I’ve had hundreds of business owners email me and tell me about how hard this has been.
> 
> But despite this, the vast majority have done the right thing, even though it will cost them a great deal.
> 
> What we’re asking for from the vast majority of people is to do far, far less.
> 
> We’re asking you to just stay home, stay away from others, stay safe.
> 
> It might seem like a lot. It might sound like an overreaction.
> 
> But when you compare it to what first responders are dealing with,
> 
> what nurses and doctors are dealing with,
> 
> what seniors are dealing with,
> 
> what those laid off are dealing with,
> 
> and what small businesses owners are dealing with…
> 
> I don’t think it’s too much to ask.
> 
> So please, if you haven’t taken this seriously, now is the time.
> 
> And if you know someone who still thinks this doesn’t apply to them, urge them to join in.
> 
> Join the hundreds of thousands of people who are fighting for their city and fighting for each other.
> 
> Thank you.
> 
> -Kennedy
> 
> 
> Kennedy Stewart
> Mayor of Vancouver
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> http://www.kennedystewart.ca/
> 
>  
> 
> -=-=-
> Kennedy Stewart · Canada 
> This email was sent to tamistarlight at gmail.com. To stop receiving emails, click here.
> 
> -=-=-
>   
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