EMO News Release - March 18, 2021

We wish to remind our residents province-wide restrictions remain in place until further notice. It is the actions of our residents that keep our community safe and help to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Hang in there folks, just a little longer!

Outdoor Gatherings up to 10 People
Province-wide restrictions have recently been updated. Up to ten people may now gather outdoors. All restrictions for indoor gatherings remain in place.

Up to 10 people may gather at a park or beach
Up to 10 people may gather in the backyard of a residence
No gatherings of any size are allowed indoors
Do not gather with several groups of new people – stick to the same people
Masks are required in all indoor settings and workplaces
Explore close to home and avoid non-essential travel

Continue to refer to latest information at www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/response

Vaccine Appointments for Seniors

More than 400,000 people in British Columbia will be immunized from March to early April as the province works through Phase 2 of immunization in BC. Immunizations will be conducted based on age; eligibility for all phases is based on the age you are turning in 2021. The Island Health immunization clinics will be operating in the Parksville Community Centre and the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. To learn more about the approved vaccines, please refer to this link.

The province announced today more than 300,000 frontline workers will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations in April.
The list of first priority groups include first responders (police, firefighters, emergency transport), K-12 educational staff, childcare staff, grocery store workers, postal workers, bylaw and quarantine officers, manufacturing workers,
wholesale/warehousing employees, cross-border transport workers, corrections workers and staff living in congregate
housing at places such as ski hills.

PHASE 2

We are in Phase 2 of the vaccination plan; however, because dates continue to be adjusted, please refer to the immunization website for the most up-to-date information. For those residents born after 1941, information will be posted on Island Health's website and people will have the option of registering online or by phone. Phase 3 of the immunization plan is for people 60 to 79 and Phase 4 is for people 18 to 59. Phases will be scheduled in five-year increments. Information about the province's COVID vaccine plan may be viewed here.

Please call only when you're eligible. If you are 80 or older or Indigenous and born in 1956 or earlier, you can call anytime. To register call 1-833-348-4787, 7 am to 7 pm daily. The call centre agent will confirm your appointment date and time at the location nearest to you. You will need to provide:

Legal first and last name
Date of birth
Postal code
Personal health number
Contact information (direct phone number or support person phone number)

Island Health' s website provides frequently asked questions and information about how to register on behalf of an eligible individual, not able register for themself.

PHASE 3

At the time this eNews was distributed, notice of how to book for those born in 1942 or later and Indigenous peoples born in 1957 or later had not yet been posted. We will forward the information when it becomes available. We encourage you to watch the news and Island Health's website as registration, either online or by phone for Phase 3 should be announced soon.

What to expect when you get the vaccine

The BC Centre for Disease Control has some suggestions on their website about what to expect when you get the

vaccine:

Wear a mask to the clinic and bring your Personal Health Number.
Wear loose-fitting clothing for easy access to the arm. The vaccine is given by injection into the muscle of the arm on the shoulder area.
Expect to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after you receive your vaccine so you can be monitored. About one in one million people will experience a severe allergic reaction. By staying in the clinic, a health care provider can respond in the event this happens. Tell a health care provider if you feel unwell after your vaccine.
Most people will receive an immunization record. Keep your record of immunization as it contains important information about the date and type of vaccine you receive. Bring your immunization card with you when you get your second dose.

Why neighbourhood emergency preparedness is important...

You will:

NOT be alone in a time of disaster.
Be better prepared to act quickly and appropriately in any situation.
Be better informed on how to take care of yourself and loved ones until help arrives.
Be able to identify and minimize existing hazards around your home and
neighbourhood.
Understand what items are recommended to store and how.
Be prepared if you are required to evacuate your neighbourhood.
Have a communication plan.
Know where to get accurate information on the situation.
Know who to go to in your neighbourhood for specific skills or resources.
Have peace of mind and increase confidence in your resilience and self-sufficiency.

Emergency Management Oceanside's emergency program coordinators can help you with your neighbourhood planning. Their contact information is provided below.

From the Town of Qualicum Beach
Town Hall remains open to the public Monday to Friday, 9 am to 1 pm (except statutory holidays). Town staff are available via email or phone until 4pm, Monday to Friday.

While we are happy to help in person where needed, we encourage you to conduct business remotely where possible.
Masks are mandatory when visiting Town Hall. You can contact us via any of the following methods:

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

From the City of Parksville

City in-person services during the COVID-19 pandemic are limited to payments of tickets/licence fees and the purchase of bus passes, with all other City business by appointment and no walk-in services. To book an appointment, call 250 248-6144 or refer to website contact info. Finance is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to noon and 1 pm to 3 pm. Please note, entry is from Jensen Avenue East. Masks are mandatory when at City Hall and visitors will be asked to provide information for contact tracing.

Notices have been posted to advise of parking changes at the Parksville Community Centre to accommodate Island
Health's immunization clinic.

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

Consultation has concluded