News Release - June 1, 2020

Emergency Management Oceanside Community Update – June 1

Local businesses are developing reopening plans and are excited to welcome back shoppers in a safe and measured way. We encourage everyone to shop local whenever possible, lend your support to our local workforce friends and neighbours, many of whom have suffered losses in efforts to safeguard the health of the community. Remember to be patient and stay respectful as businesses navigate the inevitable hiccups associated with reopening. Special thanks to the Parksville and Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce for their behind the scenes work to facilitate the advancement of our local business interests.

GENERAL UPDATES AND INFORMATION

Harbour Air daily flights - in a limited capacity, Harbour Air has resumed daily flights along some of their main routes. The airline advised it has adopted strict safety protocols that exceed both Transport Canada and Health Canada's recommendations.

BC Ferries resumes Departure Bay / Horseshoe Bay sailings - starting June 3, scheduled ferry sailings between Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay will resume with four round trips per day.

Vancouver Island Regional Library - some locations are now providing curbside service for books, DVDs and other materials with more locations to be added. Customers will also be able to return checked out items during the curbside hours of operation. For the time being, collections will be limited to titles available at each specific branch and will be quarantined for 72 hours between loans. https://virl.bc.ca/library-services-in-the-new-normal

Support Local!

  • Supporting Oceanside Businesses - tool for all local businesses to detail services being offered.
  • Open During COVID-19 - directory of businesses open during COVID-19.
  • Supporting Local Restaurants - directory list of restaurants open for business.
  • Chamber visitor centres in Parksville and Qualicum Beach are now open.
  • Rebound Oceanside is a recovery plan created for businesses and not-for-profit organizations in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach/School District 69 region to provide assistance through the pandemic and minimize the negative impacts of an economic shutdown. Supported by Province of BC, WorkSafe BC and Parksville & Qualicum Chambers of Commerce.
  • Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program provides Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast tourism businesses with meaningful, hands-on guidance and support to navigate the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, adapt and work towards long-term resiliency.

UPDATES FROM TOWN OF QUALICUM BEACH

The Town continues to monitor the province's COVID-19 reopening protocols and has opened some facilities with safety measures in place. Facilities which remain closed at this time are Town Hall, BMX park, playgrounds, beach shower facilities and the Community Hall. The Civic Centre will open June 30 for bookings which can meet the COVID criteria.

Open facilities

  • Leigh House washrooms (downtown core) - 8 am to 5 pm
  • Beach washrooms - 7 am to 7 pm
  • Veterans Way washrooms - 7 am to 5 pm
  • Town parkade - 7 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday (closed statutory holidays)
  • Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course
  • Tennis courts
  • Skateboard park

UPDATES FROM CITY OF PARKSVILLE

The City is focusing on the essential services our residents rely upon and will continue to exercise an abundance of caution as we provide limited in-person services starting June 1. We will work towards a full resumption of regular services in a gradual and cautious manner, following the direction of the Provincial Health Officer.

The finance department is open to the public Monday to Friday, 9 am to noon and 1 pm to 3 pm to accept property tax payments, utility payments and to process homeowner grants only. We will not issue garbage tags, bus passes or dog tags in June. Residents should continue to access services electronically and all other City business is by appointment only and walk-in services are not available at this time. Call 250 248-6144 to book an appointment or refer to contact info on our website. Please contact VIU, School District #69 and the library by phone at this time.

City Council meetings - will be open to the public starting with the next meeting on Monday, June 1 at 6 pm. Attendance will be limited and physical distancing restrictions will be in place for Council, staff and the public.

City facilities - in addition to the off-leash dog park and skate park, the tennis courts in Springwood Park and the sports courts and lacrosse box in the Parksville Community Park are open for casual use only. In accordance with provincial guidance, there is no organized team play, training camps or competitive tournaments permitted at this time. Residents should view the ViaSport BC website for information about the various sports sectors.

STAY INFORMED

We will keep you informed of any changes to how the Town of Qualicum Beach and the City of Parksville operate as this pandemic evolves. City staff and elected officials are practicing physical distance and sanitizing protocols and many services continue to be available by phone, email and online, please refer to your municipality for contact information. Health-related information is available from:

For information, contact:

Rob Daman, Emergency Program Coordinator, Town of Qualicum Beach

rdaman@qualicumbeach.com

Aaron Dawson, Emergency Program Coordinator, City of Parksville

adawson@parksville.ca

Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications, City of Parksville

dtardiff@parksville.ca



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