Thursday, May 7, 2020 – 5:15pm
COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE #37 – CITY OF NELSON
Dr. Henry Comments on BC Restart Plan
Yesterday, Premier Horgan released the BC Restart Plan setting out the four-phased approach to gradually reopen BC. However, today Dr. Henry reminded us that we are still in Phase I of this plan and not yet out of the woods. She qualified this point by explaining that BC continues to have community outbreaks with 33 more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours and two more deaths. There have been a total of 126 deaths in the province as a result of COVID-19.
Phase II of the BC Restart Plan is set to begin mid-May, although the Plan does not provide specific start dates for many of the listed activities or what British Columbians can and cannot do under the new guidelines. The onus has been left to the public to collectively make choices that will limit regular interactions to below 60 percent of normal to prevent a resurgence of the virus. The Province said that small gatherings up to six people will be acceptable by next weekend, but it is important to keep your social circles tight and to stay home if you are sick.
To view BC’s Restart Plan: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/gdx/bcs_restart_plan_web.pdf
Re–Opening of BC Parks
BC Parks is taking a phased approach to safely lift the current system closure, focusing initially on opening most day-use parks starting May 14th. BC Parks will reopen many front and back country trails, beaches, picnic areas, washroom facilities and boat launches for day-use.
Details include:
- Visitor centres, nature houses and concession buildings may be opened on a case-by case basis.
- In some instances, facilities such as playgrounds, hot springs, halls, and picnic shelters will remain closed.
- In the Nelson area, Grohman Narrows, Kokanee Creek and West Arm parks will be re-opening for day-use on May 14th.
On June 1, BC Parks will re-open most provincial campgrounds and back-country camping.
- To ensure physical distancing, you may notice some changes in campgrounds, including additional spacing between campsites and limitations on the number of guests in campgrounds.
- Some communal facilities such as shower buildings will open with enhanced cleaning protocols, while campgrounds that require visitors to use shared cooking facilities and backcountry cabins will remain closed.
The Discover Camping website and call centre will be open to accepting new bookings starting on May 25, 2020. For more details, visit: http://bcparks.ca/covid-19/
Premier Horgan Announces Plan for Surgery Renewal in BC
Surgeries that were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic will start back up as part of a massive surgical renewal plan laid out by the Province today.
“British Columbians have stepped up to the challenge of COVID-19 by making sacrifices, including thousands of people who have waited for postponed elective surgeries. This has been very difficult for people and their families,” said Premier John Horgan. “But these sacrifices have helped flatten the curve in B.C., and now we can move forward, safely, getting people the surgeries they’ve been waiting for.”
Beginning this month, the Province will launch an extensive surgical renewal plan that will include calling patients, adding new capacity, and hiring and training staff.
Read full details of the Renewal Plan for Surgeries: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0026-000830
Prime Minister Announces Agreements to Boost Wages for Essential Workers
Today, Ottawa announced that all provinces and territories have confirmed, or are in the process of confirming, plans to cost-share wage top-ups for their essential workers. The Government of Canada will provide up to $3 billion in support to increase the wages of low-income essential workers. Each province or territory will determine which workers would be eligible for support, and how much support they will receive.
Prime Minister Trudeau said “Workers are risking their health to provide us with essential care and services, and we need to make sure that they are paid properly for the work they do every day. We’re stepping up, and working with the provinces and territories, to give a much-needed wage boost to Canadians who are helping keep our country and economy strong during this difficult time.”
These measures are part of the Government of Canada’s comprehensive economic plan to help Canadians and businesses through this period of uncertainty. They will continue to monitor this evolving situation closely, and take additional actions as needed to protect our health and safety, and stabilize the economy.
To read the full media release: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/05/07/prime-minister-announces-agreements-boost-wages-essential-workers
The BC Government has provided the following information today:
COVID-19 Case Statistics:
- Total cases in B.C. to date: 2288
- 865 in Vancouver Coastal Health
- 1,064 in Fraser Health
- 126 in Island Health
- 179 in Interior Health (No increase in 24hrs)
- 54 in Northern Health
- Total fatalities in B.C. to date: 126 (Increase of 2 in 24hrs)
- Total new cases in BC: 33
- Total who have fully recovered: 1,512
- Total cases in Canada to date: 63,895
- Total fatalities in Canada to date: 4,208
Important Resources & Information – COVID-19
To view BC’s Restart Plan: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/gdx/bcs_restart_plan_web.pdf
Which businesses are open in Nelson?
https://www.nelsonkootenaylake.com/news
B.C. Government Resources List for Support and Information during COVID-19
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support
Supports for Businesses in BC: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/employment-business-and-economic-development/business-management/small-business/covid-19_small_business_supports.pdf
Wellness Together Canada https://ca.portal.gs/
Anxiety Canada https://www.anxietycanada.com/
BounceBack BC https://bouncebackbc.ca/
Here2Talk for Post-Secondary Students https://here2talk.ca/home
Psychological First Aid – Over 19+ https://www.psychologists.bc.ca/covid-19-resources
Crisis Line Association of BC – 1-800 suicide (1 800 784-2433) - 24/7
www.crisiscentre.bc.ca - 24/7 - crisis and suicide intervention
Mental Health and Information Support Line - 310-6789 (no area code required)
Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868
www.kidshelphone.ca or text connect to 686868 - 24/7
Helpline for Children - 310-1234 (no area code required)
www.youthinbc.com - 24/7
VictimlinkBC – 1-800-563-0808 - 24/7
information, referrals. Immediate crisis support
HealthLinkBC - 811 or www.healthlinkbc.ca
For seniors looking for additional support at this time, call 211 or visit:
www.bc211.ca
Interior Crisis Line Network – 1-888-353-2273 - 24/7
Nelson Transition House – (250) 354-4357
24/7 - Specifically for women leaving or struggling in, an abusive relationship.
Nelson Police Department Victim Services – (250) 505-5657
To help provide important information to our community, the City of Nelson has developed a dedicated webpage nelson.ca/covid19 that will be updated frequently as new information becomes available. Please sign-up for ‘City News’ on NotifyMe to receive automatic updates from the City via text or email.
The City of Nelson relies on Interior Health, BC Public Health, and the Federal Government for information related to the virus itself. If you believe you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your physician, or call the COVID-19 telephone line at 1-888-COVID19, to be assessed or call the testing clinic hotline at (250) 551-7500 to be triaged for testing. Symptoms of COVID-19 include coughing, fever, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms may not present themselves for up to 14 days, but you may be a carrier of the virus; therefore it is important to follow the guidelines set out by the health experts.
To check your symptoms or get updates from the B.C. Government you can download the BC COVID-19 App or visit this website
We thank you for doing your part to help maintain a safe and healthy community and for understanding the importance of this evolving situation.
Information from the B.C. Center for Disease Control on COVID-19
Media Contact:
Ginger Lester, EOC Information Officer glester@nelson.ca