NEW! WTAY 2021 COVID-19 Management Practices for Wilderness Tourism Operators
WTAY has developed a set of best management practices for wilderness operators to operate under current public health measures to host Canadian guests in the wilderness/backcountry under an Alternate Self-Isolation Plan (ASIP). The WTAY 2021 COVID-19 Management Practices for Wilderness Tourism Operators document is available to WTAY members in good standing - please contact the WTAY office to obtain your membership and request your copy.
WTAY worked with Yukon Government's Covid Response Unti (CRU) to get CMOH approval of the management practices which were then submitted as an Alternate Self-Isolation Plan (ASIP) for wilderness operators to Yukon Government, Department of Community Services for approval. This approved ASIP does not remove the requirement for self-isolation – all guests are still required to self-isolate under the ASIP.
WTAY member operators who chose to operate under this ASIP, must also have a CRU/CMOH approved operational plan prior to operating and submit a travel manifest for each trip to the CEMA secretariate. Operators are subject to all acts/legislation and public health measures currently in place. Yukon Government has developed an Operational Plan Template for Wilderness Tourism Operators which can be found here.
This approved ASIP does not include day-trip products/operators – currently, these operators can only host guests that have already satisfied the 14-day self-isolation requirement.
Yukon FN Traditional Territories Travel Advisories
COVID-19 Travel Advisories Poster
For over 25 years, WTAY has provided education and advocacy support for Yukon's Wilderness Tourism industry and we are facing truly unprecedented times with the global COVID-19 pandemic. To help our members navigate the ever-changing landscape that COVID-19 brings, we will be posting information, updates and resources here as it becomes available. Please let us know if you have additional needs or other useful information that can be shared. We are all in this together.
As a designated organization, WTAY is working closely with Yukon's umbrella industry association, TIA Yukon. We are staying up-to-date through meetings and discussions with TIAY as they are working closely with Yukon Government, CanNor, Parks Canada, TIAC and other industry partners to ensure that Yukon's tourism industry is being represented. Through this working relationship and collaboration, WTAY is able to provide the most up-to-date and relevant information for our members.
HAVING TROUBLE NAVIGATING THE FUNDING PROGRAMS?
Reference this practical COVID-19 Funding Guide put out through TIAY.
Yukon Accommodations Guide - a list of safe places to stay if you or your employees need to self-isolate.
Yukon Restaurants Guide - a list of restaurants that are open and providing take-out services.
Contact WTAY's Funding Navigator, Jesse Cooke - jesse@tourismnavigator.ca
TIA YUKON (TIAY):
Industry Forums - TIAY will be hosting weekly online industry forums to gather valuable input from tourism operators, provide updates to industry from partners, and provide an opportunity for industry to ask questions. These forums are open to anyone in the Yukon's tourism industry who would like to participate. TIAY is also providing a record of the weekly forums for those who are unable to participate. Weekly forums are hosted every Friday at noon; please note you must pre-register to attend the forums.
To pre-register and participate in the forum, click here.
To access weekly forum records, click here.
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA:
COVID-19 - Looking for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 from a national perspective? Find details on Canada's current situation, and the latest details on health, travel and safety here.
Financial Support - find details on how to access Government of Canada's financial support programs:
For Individuals - direct your employees here.
For Businesses - programs available for businesses.
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) - income support for employees and self-employed individuals.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy - employers can apply for the CEWS through My Business Account or through the CRA’s online application portal, and their representatives can apply through Represent a Client.
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses.
Info-graphic - navigating the CERB and EI.
Hascap (Highly Affected Sectors {Tourism} Credit Availability Program) here.
GOVERNMENT OF YUKON:
COVID-19 - Looking for the latest information, advisories and details for Yukon? Click here.
Economic Support - stay up-to-date with the most recent program announcements to support Yukon businesses.
WCB Support
Business Support for cancelled events
Paid Sick Leave Rebate for employers - Who Can Apply?
Yukon Nominee Program Support
Tourism Organizations Support
Yukon Business Relief Program
Culture and Tourism Non-Profit Sector Supplement:
Health Support and Guidelines - posters and resources to help your business prepare your workplace and keep you, your employees and clientele safe.
Health and Safety In the Workplace
Do Not Come In Poster
Cleaning & Disinfecting the Workplace
Hand Washing Poster
Preventing the Spread Poster
Physical Distancing Poster - Caribou
Physical Distancing Poster - Huskies
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
NWT Info - For businesses operating in NWT, find the most up-to-date health and travel advisories and NWT specific resources here.
BC Info - For businesses operating in BC, find the most up-to-date information regarding access to BC Parks here.
Best Practices -
TIA Yukon - Best Practices Information - this document will be updated on a regular basis. If you have information you would like to share or would like to see added, please contact WTAY.
Accommodation Best Practices for Guests - suggested best practices and guidelines from TIA Yukon to communicate to your guests
Accommodation Best Practices for Businesses - suggested best practices and guidelines from TIA Yukon
Commercial River Rafting Operations - this document was put together by the BC Rivers Outfitters Association and details best practices, protocols, etc. for operating and ensuring alignment with public health orders
Gear Cleaning and People Protection - this "how to" document was put together by NRS and details their plan for how to properly clean gear and protect employees and customers.
Air Transportation Measures - Transport Canada
Marine Transportation Measures - Transport Canada
Commercial Vehicle Face Covering Considerations - Transport Canada
Hard Surface Disinfectants and Hand Sanitizers - Health Canada
COVID-19 Related Best Practices - Association of Canadian Mountain Guides
COVID-19 Related Best Practices - Recreational Canoeing Association of BC
Business Resources -
Yukon College PIVOT Program announced April 14, 2020. This is a new program to help local companies minimize the effects of COVID-19. The program is designed to support Yukon businesses of all sizes and stages during the global pandemic and beyond.
Yukon Chamber of Commerce
Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce
Government of Canada Benefits - A Plain Language Guide (Carleton University via Canadian Chamber of Commerce)
7 Steps to Sustain Your Business Through the Disruption (BDC)
TASS: https://yukon.ca/ybrp-tass
TNASS: https://yukon.ca/ybrp-tnass
Tourism Non-Accommodation Sector Supplement
Tourism Accommodations Sector Supplement
Tourism Resources -
TIAC
Destination Canada
America Outdoors
Save Hospitality
Other Resources
