EMO News Release - February 11, 2022

EMO Website
We’ve added a few new items to our website which we hope you will find interesting.

Tsunami Preparedness
Parksville Qualicum Beach region is fortunate to be on the sheltered east coast of Vancouver Island; Tsunami Notification Zone E identified as Strait of Georgia (including the Gulf Islands), Greater Vancouver and Johnstone Strait. Our region is identified as low risk for tsunami with wave height anticipated to be less than two metres above normal sea levels. British Columbia’s coastal communities are divided into five tsunami notification zones. Each of the five zones are identified and shown on this map.

In January, the National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami advisory following a volcanic eruption in the Pacific Basin near the Tonga Islands. The advisory did not apply to our region but did apply to Zones A, B C and D along the coast. The information showing the cancelled advisory is available at this link, provided for interest.

Our website provides definitions for warning, advisory and watch and how best to receive alerts.

COVID Information
On January 25, Dr Henry announced the vaccine card we use to access restaurants, fitness facilities and other indoor spaces has been extended to June 30 for people age 12 and older. This date may be adjusted if the infection situation changes in our province.

Respectful Distancing
As we learn to live with the pandemic there will be a shift from the term ‘physical distancing’ to ‘respectful distancing’. Respectful distancing drops the strictness of two metres between people and is all about respecting the personal space of others. It is a positive move for the general population because after almost two years of very specific instructions, people can now go back to determining what is comfortable for them.

Province-wide restrictions
To help keep BC safe, these province-wide restrictions were extended until February 16. Most recent information is available here.

  • Indoor organized gatherings of any size are not allowed.
  • Indoor events at venues can only have 50% capacity. Limiting venues of 1,000 individuals or more to 50% of the seated capacity with reinforced masking requirements and scanning of the BC vaccine card QR code. This includes events like concerts, sports or movies.
  • Bars, nightclubs and lounges remain closed.
  • Restaurants, cafes and pubs can have a maximum of six people at each table.
  • Gyms and fitness centres can reopen on January 20 with strict capacity limits and operating restrictions.

These provincial health office orders continue until at least January 31.

  • Indoor personal gatherings are limited to your household plus ten visitors or one other household. Everyone 12 and older must be fully vaccinated.
  • The BC vaccine card is required for organized events of any size.
  • At restaurants, cafes and pubs, customers must stay seated and cannot move between or visit other tables. Masks are required when not seated.
  • All sports tournaments and related travel are not allowed.

In addition to the provincial health officer orders, British Columbians are advised to limit indoor gatherings to those who are fully vaccinated, ensure proper ventilation indoors, avoid all travel if not fully vaccinated and follow the travel advisory issued by the federal government to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada.

This website link provides a comprehensive list of COVID-19 orders and notices through the public health office.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Town of Qualicum Beach
Town Hall is open to the public with full services. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm (except statutory holidays). Although the office is open, residents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the other payment options including payment through your financial institution; mail a cheque; or drop off a cheque at Town Hall drop box (location below). If you do wish to visit Town Hall to conduct business, masks are mandatory while in the building.

City of Parksville
City Hall is open to the public from 8 am to 4 pm and our operations department from 8 am to 4 pm and closed noon to 1 pm.

Information for the public when visiting:

  • Access to the Parksville Civic and Technology Centre is from Jensen Avenue East and from the library parking lot.
  • Masks are mandatory while in the building.
  • Staff may elect to meet with the public either in-person or virtually and in-person meetings will comply with protocols on distancing and masks.
  • Main floor washrooms are open for public use.
  • The public is welcome to attend Council meetings in-person; however, attendance is limited. Meetings may be viewed from the City’s website.
  • If sick, please stay home.
  • Refer to the City website and Let’s Talk Parksville for more information.

BC Centre for Disease Control
Island Health
Vaccine info - 1 833 838-2323
Medical COVID-19 information - 811
Proof of vaccination info

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