The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is joining the growing list of local governments in the province to move to close recreation facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In a March 16 press release the SCRD said it has now activated the regional Emergency Operations Centre, which will be monitoring the situation and working with federal and provincial agencies.
Effective Tuesday, March 17, the SCRD is closing all recreation facilities, community halls and sports fields - including the Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Area, which will now remain closed for the season with the gates locked . SCRD parks will remain open for public use, although service levels may be reduced.
The Field Road administration building will also close, and some staff members will be working from home.
“SCRD staff are working to address any potential disruptions to district services to ensure a quick response as circumstances may change,” the regional district said in its release.
Garbage collection, Sunshine Coast Transit, water and sewer systems and the Sechelt Landfill and Pender Harbour Transfer Station will all continue operating as usual.
“The focus is on maintaining essential service levels and following the advice of public health officials. Planning is underway to ensure they are prepared if the situation or recommendations change,” said the SCRD.
All SCRD board and standing committee meetings will be conducted electronically, and the public can view them via YouTube at: www.youtube.com/user/sunshinecoastrd.
Sechelt has now announced it will be closing public access to municipal hall until further notice and said staff will be working from home where possible. Residents can still do business with the district via phone, online or email.
The district has also closed the Visitor Information Centre, Community Meeting Room at the Municipal Hall, Seaside Centre, Rockwood Lodge and Mission House.
All non-essential meetings in the next week have been cancelled and the March 18 regular council meeting has also been cancelled. The committee of the whole meeting on March 25 will proceed by video only.
“Cleaning of all community buildings and washrooms has been increased and plans are being put into place to maintain operations in the event of a loss of workforce,” the district said in an update posted online.
The Sechelt Public Library also announced Monday that it would be closing "until such time as deemed safe for our patrons" effectiveat 6 p.m. March 17.
The Gibsons Public Library closed its doors until further notice at the end of the day March 16. Online services, such as ebooks, are still available through both libraries.
The Town of Gibsons is closing Town Hall to the public as of March 18.
Staff from the administrative, finance, planning, and infrastructure services departmetns will provide services by phone or email. Some staff will also be working from home.
Gibsons Town Hall is also an ICBC Drivers Services office, and the Town said ICBC staff will still be available to take phone calls, but are expected to directing people to the Drivers Services office in Sechelt for anything requiring in-person transactions.
Driver tests scheduled for the next two weeks in Gibsons are being cancelled and the affected ICBC clients will be contacted directly.
Town services, such as water, sanitary sewer and ongoing maintenance of Town buildings and parks as well as garbage and organic waste collection is expected to continue as usual.
All non-essential meetings in the next week have been cancelled, but council meetings and public hearings scheduled for March 17 were still scheduled to be held, but with strict limits on the number of people who would be allowed in the council chamber.
Meanwhile, a joint statement in response to COVID-19 was issued by SCRD chair Lori Pratt, Sechelt Mayor Darnelda Siegers, Gibsons Mayor Bill Beamish and shíshálh Nation Chief Warren Paull.
The statement reads:
“We want to say how proud we are of our community and our collective response around COVID-19. Before being asked, many groups and organizations stepped up to voluntarily cancel events. Others have reached out directly neighbour to neighbour in support of those who are self-isolating or considering self-isolating. Viewing this spontaneous level of caring is heartwarming. It is at the core of what has drawn all of us here and is at the root of what makes the Sunshine Coast such a fabulous place to live. We all care and, when circumstances show up, so do we.
Locally, our grocery stores and pharmacies are working hard to ensure we continue to have much needed supplies at hand. When shopping, please do not buy more than what you need. If you see someone buying a large quantity, assume they are shopping for multiple homes or families, because they probably are. That’s who we are.
“We know our region is not alone in dealing with this outbreak. According to the latest information from Vancouver Coastal Health, all regions of the Health Authority’s jurisdiction have seen at least one case of COVID-19. Our thanks to the many unsung heroes out there who are already working very, very hard – especially our local Health Authority employees.
“Please, support local businesses as we enter some difficult times. Our small businesses need our business very much right now.
“Please check on your friends and neighbours from vulnerable parts of our population and help them with any needs they have. Not everyone has access to the internet and helpful information. Some may be afraid. Ask what you can do to help. Pick up groceries? Pick up medication? Take their dog for a walk? Babysit for a few hours?
“If you are a member of a service group or community organization, please consider reaching out to your membership and encouraging them to also reach out to their neighbours and friends. Let’s ensure all those who may consider themselves alone know they have someone they can contact for help and assistance.
“Moving forward, as governments, we are working together finalizing processes to ensure we maintain essential services. Water, garbage collection, and sewer services will continue to be manned and operated. However, other non-essential services will be scaled back. Staff will be working from home as much as possible. We ask that, if you need to do business with us, you conduct your business either by phone or email to assist us in protecting the health of our staff so they can continue to support you.
“The situation with respect to COVID-19 is changing daily, even several times each day, and it is important to stay informed and up-to-date with the latest advisories and information to help you make the best decisions for yourself, your family, your neighbours and your business. Like all large-scale urgent situations accurate information and preparedness is essential to stay resilient – at the individual and community level. For local information, please check regularly on our local government websites.
“The following links provide relevant up to date information for the wider areas:
BC Centre for Disease control http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19
HealthLinkBC https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-disease-covid-19
Vancouver Coastal Health http://www.vch.ca/about-us/news/vancouver-coastal-health-statement-on-coronavirus
Government of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html?utm_campaign=not-applicable&utm_medium=vanity-url&utm_source=canada-ca_coronavirus
“We are in a time of uncertainty. We are a caring, resilient community. Together, we will get through this.”
