A reminder from WorkSafeBC to bars, pubs, and restaurants owners ahead of this Sunday’s Super Bowl – ensure your COVID-19 safety plans are up to date and followed to the letter.

“Events like the Super Bowl are typically some of the busiest days of the year for bars, pubs and restaurants, and we’re urging businesses to revisit their safety plan to make sure it will be effective, as there could be an increase in patrons,” says Al Johnson, Head of Prevention Services for WorkSafeBC said, in a statement.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry are asking people to respect the bans on gatherings, especially given the emergence of COVID 19 variants in the province.

“As we make plans for this weekend, let’s make safe choices and avoid making Super Bowl a superspreading day,” Dix said on twitter. “This is especially important because we’re still learning about the full impact of the COVID-19 variants.”

All week long, WorkSafeBC says there has been an increase in province-wide inspection and consultation efforts reminding businesses to keep up the measures they have been following to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace. There will also be inspections on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7.

“We’re asking businesses to ensure COVID-19 safety remains a priority and to stay vigilant, update their safety plan as needed, and implement it to the letter to keep everyone safe,” added Johnson. “Businesses must also ensure they are abiding by orders, notices and guidance issued by the provincial health officer.”

As of Jan. 29, WorkSafeBC says it had conducted 22,122 workplace inspections and 4,169 consultations related to COVID-19. There were 1,667 orders issued for health and safety violations.