COVID-19 Updates and Resources

Message from Parksville Mayor Mayne

At the request of Mayor Ed Mayne, the following information is being distributed on behalf of Council: The City is taking COVID-19 seriously and is making significant changes to protect the health and wellbeing of our community. We have closed City offices to the public and all meetings are closed to attendance by the public.

We encourage our residents to be vigilant as they go about their day-to-day lives here in Parksville. Please monitor closely the information from agencies responsible for monitoring COVID-19. Refer to trusted sources for your information and do stay informed:

• BC Centre for Disease Control

• Public Health Agency of Canada

• Island Health

• HealthLink BC

• City of Parksville and Let’s Talk Parksville websites.

Local businesses are experiencing a dramatic drop in business so it crucially important for our residents to support local and small businesses whenever possible. By supporting local businesses, you will help them to survive these challenging times and at the same time, will reduce unnecessary travel.

Please also be aware of your neighbours, especially those living alone and who may feel isolated. If you are able, please consider providing assistance while maintaining the precautionary measures recommended by health authorities. Social distancing is a good practice; however, communication is important to maintain our community and we encourage residents to stay in touch by phone and email.

Finally, it is important to note these measures are being undertaken out of an abundance of caution. By taking pre-emptive measures, it is hoped we can protect our most vulnerable citizens from this illness and support our health care system and the invaluable workers who provide care to our ill and injured.

We will continue to provide ongoing updates to our residents as necessary.

For more information: Mayor Ed Mayne mayor@parksville.ca 250 954-4661

Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications dtardiff@parksville.ca 250 954-3073

Upcoming City of Parksville Public Meetings

The City of Parksville is monitoring and responding to the evolving COVID-19 situation and potential impacts. The decision has been made to cancel or postpone non-essential events and gatherings.

As such, the town hall on community safety scheduled for Monday, March 23 is postponed indefinitely. We intend to reschedule this important town hall and will ensure the public is advised.

At this time, Council meetings are the only other public events or meetings scheduled by the City. Please be advised that until further notice, all Council meetings will be closed to attendance by the public. As usual, meetings will be webcast both live and archived from the City’s website; Council meeting dates are listed on the website calendar. Budget deliberation meetings are scheduled for March 30 and April 8 and we will endeavour to provide opportunities for the public to provide comments and feedback online.

All City facilities will remain open for normal operation from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm and City services will continue uninterrupted.

For more information:

Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications

dtardiff@parksville.ca

250 954-3073

COVID-19 Information for Parksville Residents

On March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global health pandemic based on the number of people affected in more than 100 countries. At this time, COVID-19 is not considered a pandemic in British Columbia and our region is still considered to be at low risk.

As the lead agencies in British Columbia, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and the BC Ministry of Health are closely monitoring the situation and will provide guidance. The City will follow the advice and guidance of Island Health, which has the expertise to assess the level of risk posed by a pandemic influenza such as the coronavirus. As a support agency, the City of Parksville, similar to other local governments, will respond to and distribute accurate information to residents on behalf of the BCCDC, Ministry of Health and Island Health.

As stated in earlier information distributed by the City, in a COVID-19 pandemic situation, the City’s main role is to protect staff so healthy employees can continue to provide and maintain service levels for our residents. The City has pandemic influenza policies in place; should it become necessary, the City will activate its policies and communications strategy.

Following the advice from the Ministry of Health and BCCDC, in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, we are encouraged to stay home if sick. Coronavirus disease is an infectious disease caused by a new virus not previously identified in humans. The virus causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever and in more severe cases, pneumonia. You can protect yourself by washing your hands frequently and avoid touching your face. The coronavirus spreads primarily through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.

When coughing or sneezing, use a tissue or the sleeve of a shirt or jacket to cover the spread of droplets reducing the possible spread of the virus. Most importantly, washing your hands multiple times a day will help to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19. Unless you have travelled to one of the areas where COVID-19 is spreading, or have been in close contact with someone who has and is feeling unwell, your chances of getting it are currently low.

When new information is issued by the lead agencies, we will pass along the updates to our residents. The City has made general information, resources and links available at https://letstalkparksville.ca/covid-19-information-and-resources. This site provides links to the World Health Organization, BC Centre for Disease Control and Island Health among others.

For more information:

Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications

City of Parksville

dtardiff@parksville.ca

250 954-3073

COVID-19 Information for Parksville Residents

Recent stories from national and international news media indicate the Coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, is continuing to spread in different parts of the world. The World Health Organization and public health authorities around the world are taking action to contain the COVID-19 outbreak; however, long-term success cannot betaken for granted. The World Health Organization is considering declaring the situation a worldwide pandemic and according to the WHO, a pandemic is the consistent spread of a new disease around the world in a population that has not yet gained immunity to it.

As the lead agencies in British Columbia, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and the BC Ministry of Health are closely monitoring the situation and will provide guidance. As a support agency, the City of Parksville, similar to other local governments, will respond to and distribute accurate information to residents on behalf of the BCCDC and the Ministry of Health. The City will follow the advice and guidance of Island Health, which has the expertise to assess the level of risk posed by a pandemic influenza such as the coronavirus.

Within a COVID-19 pandemic situation, the City’s main role is to protect staff so healthy employees can continue to provide and maintain service levels for our residents. The City has pandemic influenza policies as well as a communications strategy should it be necessary and plans are in place and will be activated should an outbreak of COVID-19 or any other disease be declared in British Columbia.

Following the advice from the Ministry of Health and BCCDC, in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, we are encouraged to stay home should there be signs or symptoms of COVID-19. When coughing or sneezing, use a tissue or the sleeve of a shirt or jacket to cover the spread of droplets reducing the possible spread of the virus. Most importantly, washing your hands multiple times a day will help to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19. Unless you have travelled to one of the areas where COVID-19 is spreading, or have been in close contact with someone who has and is feeling unwell, your chances of getting it are currently low.

For more information:
Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
City of Parksville
250 954-3073