Victoria, BC– According to the Provincial Health Officer there continues to remain a low risk for transmission of COVID 19 within the region though it is expected that we will see an increase of cases as the situation progresses. The Provincial Health Officer is encouraging organizations to operate their businesses as usual with increased attention to common sense practices and measures to support social distancing. It is strongly recommended that events that bring more than 50 people closely together – indoors or outdoors – be cancelled for now. This does not apply to buildings and recreational sites where social distancing practices are able to be employed. Persons that are ill are requested stay home until they are better.
Based on the current recommendations of BC public health officials, the CRD will be implementing the following guidelines to direct operations in the region recognizing that recommendations may change in response to the situation as it evolves.
Boards, Committees and Commissions
The CRD Board will continue to meet and CRD staff are proposing changes to the Board Procedures Bylaw on March 18 to provide for the possibility of call-in meetings. In order to reduce the number of meetings, Standing Committee meetings will be proposed to be cancelled until further notice as the issues regularly considered by these Committees will now come forward directly to the Board for decision making as necessary. Commissions with delegation from the Board will be considered for this provision as well, however it is recommended that only essential business items be brought forward, as some of these decisions may also be able to be made directly by the Board. Board meetings are anticipated to be held bimonthly with non-essential meetings deferred until further notice.
Public Access Facilities and Community Interaction
Business operations and service delivery will continue with increased attention to cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, additional signage to increase awareness of prevention activities, and ongoing evaluation of individual activities to assess the ability to maintain social distancing practices. This may require limitations or alternate approaches on public access, customer service, public engagement and meetings.
As directed by the Provincial Medical Health Officer, any events that bring more than 50 people closely together will be cancelled. Other activities that result in close contact or are operated in confined spaces where social distancing is unlikely to be maintained will be cancelled until further notice.
This includes:
- classes and programs in smaller community halls
- workshops and training events in small rooms or facilities
- family workshops and guided tours as well as public tours at the Hartland landfill and the Learning Centre
- Regional Parks education and outreach events are cancelled until the end of March
- Salt Spring Island Community Market is cancelled as it is a large gathering place for both tourists and locals
As the CRD operates numerous facilities and programs, service providers will be posting updated information regularly. Please go to www.crd.bc.ca/covid for regular updates on programs and events that have been cancelled.
Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492