Comox Valley local governments are supporting the BC Ministry of Health and their efforts to contain the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) by assisting with public education on physical distancing.
Local bylaw officers are actively patrolling local parks and trails and may be completing spot checks at community hot spots in the evenings and weekends, providing education to residents, and responding to complaints over violations to provincial orders in effect.
Bylaw officers are not empowered to ticket or detain people over public health orders, any enforcement will be conducted by the Province. Bylaw officers will report any mass gatherings larger than 50 people to the Ministry for follow-up.
“With the long weekend coming up, we want people to know that it’s essential for everyone to follow the guidance of the provincial health officer,” says CVRD Board Chair and EOC Spokesperson Jesse Ketler. “Bylaw officers throughout the region are reminding residents and businesses to respect physical distancing and all public health orders in place, for our own health and safety. I also want to remind our residents that we’re all responsible for protecting front line workers, whether that’s our health care workers, essential staff, and our local government employees who are interacting with the public. We are seeing the results of our efforts on Vancouver Island and in the rest of the province, but we need to keep going to protect our communities. Hold off on mountain biking in Cumberland and visiting our many other popular local destinations. Don’t travel to our other Comox Valley communities, unless it’s an essential trip. By staying home we are saving lives.”
While residents are strongly encouraged to practice the recommended two-meter physical distancing, at this time this is not an enforceable order. Residents are urged to model this behaviour themselves, and educate others on the need to practice it as well. Residents who are aware of gatherings of over 50 people, have concerns with businesses operating contrary to the Provincial Orders, or general social distancing concerns should contact their local government bylaw office or Island Health at publichealth@viha.ca
Physical distancing, continues to be important, as long as BC Health officials see the need to protect the elderly ,those immune compromised and those with multiple health issues.
The extreme measures have contained the COVID-19 death rate in BC to about 20% of the average death rate of the flu season In Canada.There is no doubt that the extreme measures are working.
British Columbia has taken a human approach.We are allowed outside, but distanced. Travelers who brought this offshore virus to us,are finally required to take stricter measures,so not to start a second, third of forth wave. This is happening in other countries who are again being infected by travelers.
We can’t be locked down for long. The mental health and human costs are far too great.It is good to see some businesses re-opening in an innovative way. This is what is needed to get us all back to a new normal.
We need leadership from the Private Sector to move forward,soon.