As announced yesterday, by order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer, all individuals, places of work and businesses in BC must significantly reduce their level of social interactions and travel. These new measures are intended to address the province’s second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and to keep our schools and businesses open. The order is in effect until midnight, December 7, 2020.
The City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach follow the direction of the Provincial Health Officer and Island Health and align operations with the phases of the BC’s Restart Plan. We have provided a summary of the new regulations for our residents below and a link to the updated province-wide restrictions is provided here.
No social gatherings
No social gatherings, inside or outside, of any size with anyone other than your immediate household or core bubble. This means no gatherings outdoors including your backyard, no playdates for children and most importantly do not invite friends or extended family to your household. Immediate household is defined as those people living in the same household.
For those living alone, they can continue to see the same one or two people of their core bubble such as a partner, relative, friend or co-parent.
Activities which are not considered a social gathering are going for a walk, parents carpooling kids to and from school and grandparents providing childcare. Please refer to the BC province-wide restriction available here for allowable services, religious and cultural gatherings, workplaces, restaurants and bars and indoor activities such as gyms and recreation facilities.
Mandatory mask requirements
Masks are now mandatory for everyone in all public indoor settings and workplaces. Examples provided are retail stores, recreation centres, libraries, common areas in hotels and in restaurants/bars when not seated at a table and at municipal halls.
Essential travel only
At this time, all non-essential travel should be avoided. This includes travel into and out of British Columbia and between regions of the province. Essential travel is considered regular travel for work within your region and for things such as medical appointments and hospital visits.
General information
Concerns or questions about COVID-19 such as symptoms or exposure should be addressed directly to Island Health (not your local government). Island Health is positioned to answer any questions regarding outbreaks and public exposures and is doing the necessary trace contacting and identifying those who should self-isolate. Please refer to the Island Health website for more information.
Business at both the City of Parksville or Town of Qualicum Beach is by appointment only and walk-in services are not available. Masks are mandatory when entering the buildings and visitors will be asked to provide contact information for the purposes of contact tracing.
We appreciate the support of our residents as we adjust our operations to working with these new regulations. The safety of our residents and staff continues to be our priority. The choices we all make over the next few weeks will make a difference and will support our businesses and schools to stay open. Thank you for continuing to do your part in keeping us safe and helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
