EMO News Release - January 19, 2022

The Omicron variant continues to be far more transmissible compared to other COVID-19 variants. Yesterday, the public health officer extended orders until at least February 16 when they will be reviewed. The public health officer continues to recommend a COVID-19 vaccination as the most effective prevention measure to reduce the risk of infection from COVID-19.

Information about COVID-19, how to protect yourself, your family and your community and what to do if you suspect you have the virus is available from Island Health. Everyone 18 years and older will be invited to get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine about six months after they received their second dose. Information about the booster is available here.

Province-wide restrictions
To help keep BC safe, these province-wide restrictions have been 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 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.

• Email qbtown@qualicumbeach.com
• Phone 250 752-6921
• Post PO Box 130, Qualicum Beach V9K 1S7
• Mail Slot Out front of Town Hall, nearest the fountain
• Website

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:

• Entrance to the Parksville Civic and Technology Centre is from Jensen Avenue East only.
• 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.
• Access to the Vancouver Island Library is from 100 Jensen Avenue East.
• 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

For information, contact:

Aaron Dawson
Emergency Program Coordinator, City of Parksville
adawson@parksville.ca

Rob Daman
Emergency Program Coordinator, Town of Qualicum Beach
rdaman@qualicumbeach.com

Deb Tardiff
Manager of Communications, City of Parksville
dtardiff@parksville.ca