COVID-19

Page last updated on March 30, 2020 at 4:00PM

Lastest News

March 27, 2020 5:00PM - Working Toward Resuming Services: After closing Municipal Hall and sending many employees home, select staff continued to work to secure work-from-home capability, procure additional personal protective equipment, and solidify safe work plans. These steps were necessary to allow for a slow, cautious, and gradual resumption of work, which could occur in alignment with directions and guidelines from Federal and Provincial Governments, along with the Provincial Health Officer. As work resumes, members of the public will see more Municipal staff out in the community doing key work, like maintaining cemeteries and fixing potholes.

Department-Specific Inquiries

Staff in the following departments are working diligently to respond to customer inquiries:

Bylaw Services

Bylaw enforcement continues to respond to and investigate bylaw enforcement complaints, prioritized by their risk to public health and safety. Inquiries and complaints may be directed to Bylaw@northcowichan.ca

Parks & Trails

Parks and trails remain open to the public. However, playgrounds and park washroom facilities are closed*, effective 4:30 pm March 20, 2020. *with the exception of the Crofton public washroom and the Waterwheel Park public washroom in Chemainus - these are open daily from 8am - 6pm (and closed intermittently for cleaning).

Council Meetings & Public Hearings

All regular Council and Committee of the Whole Meetings are cancelled until further notice, for the health and safety of all elected officials and the community. Council will only hold emergency meetings electronically for the foreseeable future, and all Council Committees or Bodies of Council are suspended indefinitely. All Public Hearings are also cancelled until further notice. 

Public Engagement

Public engagement processes currently underway will be paused for 90 days. Staff and Council will re-evaluate resuming engagement before the end of the 90-day period if it can proceed in a safe, fulsome, and inclusive way. 

Municipal Hall

Municipal Hall and the Municipal Operations Building (located at 7030 Trans-Canada Highway) is closed to the public. Please call our general information phone line 250.746.3100, or send us an email info@northcowichan.ca to find out how you can continue doing business with us and how staff can support you during this unique and challenging situation.

Recreation Facilities

In accordance with the direction from the Federal and Provincial Governments, and Public Health Officer, all recreational facillities in North Cowichan closed on March 16, 2020. This includes Fuller Lake Arena and Cowichan Aquatic Centre.

News Releases:

Prevention

The BC Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organization report that hand washing is the most effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19.

A reminder to our staff and residents:

  • wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth;
  • avoid close contact with people who are sick; 
  • cough and sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve and not your hands;
  • stay home if you are sick, especially if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, to avoid spreading the illness to others; and
  • practice social distancing (e.g., keeping a two metre distance and avoid touching others).

North Cowichan has also increased the frequency of cleaning at all Municipal facilities, with an alcohol-based cleaner.

BC HealthLink Information Line

In an effort to ease the burden on HealthLink 811, the Province of B.C. has set up a dedicated COVID-19 line at 1-888-COVID19 or text at 1-888-268-4319.

For more information about North Cowichan's response to COVID-19,
please contact:
T  250-746-3100
E  info@northcowichan.ca

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