EMO News Release - April 9,2020

EMO - COVID-19 Community Update

We must continue to do our part while doing our best to support and care for those around us. The weather this coming Easter weekend promises to be sunny and warmer but the threat of transmission is still here. Please stay safe by continuing to keep distance from one another. These next few weeks are extremely important for us in successfully preventing the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to do your part to keep us all safe and healthy.

This week, Minister of Health Adrian Dix spoke to "bending the curve, not the rules". Another reminder about how important it is for us to maintain physical distance while outdoors. If you must leave your home then then step back to let others pass at a safe distance when using trails or walkways. If you do not have a yard of your own and need some fresh air, try to use large, open spaces at off-peak times.

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Emergency Management Oceanside is a partnership between the City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach to provide emergency support and disaster service to residents of the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the City and Town, through EMO are operating a Level 2 Emergency Operation Centre which provides the ability to respond to and coordinate activities together.

EMO ENews SIGNUP

As well as ongoing communications through the City and Town, EMO will send regular updates about emergency preparedness for the Oceanside region. If you wish to receive updates directly from EMO to your inbox, please signup at EmergencyOceanside.ca.

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. Many services continue to be available by phone, email and online, please refer to your municipality for contact information. Health-related information may be also be obtained from:

BC Centre for Disease Control

Public Health Agency of Canada

Island Health

Medical COVID-19 information - 811

Non-medical COVID-19 information - 1 888 268-4319

Government of Canada Coronavirus info line - 1 833 784-4397

Senior Support Program - 211

QUALICUM BEACH UPDATES

• With the farmers' market opening again last weekend, we saw excellent physical distancing and safety protocols within the market. Just a reminder; however, to please "Shop. Don't Stop". Once you have finished shopping at the market, we encourage you to quickly make your way home and not congregate in the parking lot and surrounding areas. Let's keep the market safe so we can support our local producers!
• The Town of Qualicum Beach would love to send a personal call out to all our front line workers who are keeping the Town cared for and safe! Doctors, nurses, support staff, cleaning staff, and let's not forget the people working to ensure there is little disruption to our food supply, utilities, and security. We thank you!

PARKSVILLE UPDATE

• City services continue to operate and with our offices closed to the public, please contact us by phone or email. Our main phone number is 250 248-6144 and info@parksville.ca. Direct department contact information is on the City's website.
• The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 20 and although closed to attendance by the public, meetings may be viewed through webcasting from the City's website and meeting highlights are posted to the website.

GENERAL UPDATES AND INFORMATION

• Vancouver Island Public Library - VIRL is committed to offering services, amenities and entertainment to help in these challenging times Library branches remain closed to the public because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Books and materials out on loan will not be required to be returned until the library re-opens. In the meantime, VIRL is offering many online resources - explore these digital resources including ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, newspaper, music, learning tools and more all available 24/7 with your VIRL card. Virl.bc.ca
• BC Parks has closed the entire BC Parks system, including all parks, protected areas, conservancies, recreation areas, and ecological reserves. All camping (front and backcountry) is now banned until May 31. http://bcparks.ca/
• BC Ferries has made changes to routes and there are no sailings from Departure Bay until further notice. https://www.bcferries.com/current_conditions/travel-advisory.html
• New Emergency Relief Support Fund and added service flexibility for parents of special needs children https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020CFD0043-000650
• On Sunday at 11 am, the Prime Minister will be hosting a video conference with Dr. Tam, dedicated to answering questions from young people. Kids are encouraged to send suggestions and questions through to cbckidsnews@cbc.ca and also watch live at https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/

HEALTH REMINDER

What is self-isolation? Self-isolation means avoiding situations where you could infect other people. This can help prevent the spread of infections. Self-isolation lowers the chance of spreading the illness to other people. When you are exposed to an illness, there is the time between exposure and when you start to feel sick. This is called an incubation period. There is a chance you can spread germs in the days before you feel sick. People at high-risk of having been exposed to the illness are asked to self-isolate. Plan ahead and prepare for what you will do if you or a family member becomes sick and needs care.

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

City of Parksville www.parksville.ca

Town of Qualicum Beach www.qualicumbeach.com