COVID-19

Page last updated on June 15, 2020 at 8:00AM

Lastest News

June 15, 2020 - North Cowichan's Municipal Hall is now open in a limited capacity to receive 2020 property tax payments, as well as dog and business license payments. To protect staff and members of the public, there have been a few changes at Municipal Hall. Plexi-glass guards have been installed at the front counter, along with increased hand-sanitizer stations. To comply with physical distancing requirements, the number of persons allowed in the building at one time will be carefully regulated. 

News Releases:

Department-Specific Inquiries

Staff in the following departments are working diligently to respond to customer inquiries, please contact them directly for services in these areas:

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

Following guidelines released by the BC Recreation and Parks Association and Worksafe BC, beginning June 1, North Cowichan’s Municipal Parks will gradually re-open in collaboration with the Cowichan Valley Regional District, other member municipalities, and School District 79. This includes playgrounds, public washrooms, seasonal portables, and skate parks. Our dog parks, sports courts and fields, and tennis/pickleball courts are already open.

Council Meetings & Public Hearings

On April 29, 2020, Council decided to resume Regular Council meetings beginning on May 6. These meetings will take place electronically. Committee of the Whole Meetings have also now resumed. On June 3, 2020, Council decided to lift the moratorium on public hearings and to hold them electronically. Members of the public will be able to participate via teleconference or written submission by email or Canada Post.

Input about an agenda item?

Public Input takes place near the beginning of each Council Meeting. Because residents are unable to attend meetings in person at this time, input and comments about agenda items can be emailed to agenda@northcowichan.ca up to 30 minutes before the start of each meeting. The input will be circulated to Mayor and Council, and also read aloud during this portion of the meeting.

Questions about the Council meeting?

Question Period takes place near the end of each Council Meeting. A 10-minute recess will take place to give the public an opportunity to submit their questions by email regarding the business of the Council meeting (to the email address provided on the screen during the meeting). The Council meeting will resume after the 10-minute recess, and the Mayor will read out the questions in the order they are received.

Public Engagement

On May 6, 2020 Council directed staff to resume public engagement activities, which will now have a focus on digital engagement, and limit in-person gatherings and meetings at this time. 

Municipal Hall

On June 15, 2020, Municipal Hall (located at 7030 Trans-Canada Highway) re-opened to the public in a limiated capacity to received property tax payments, as well as dog and business licence payments. Please call our general information phone line 250.746.3100, or send us an email info@northcowichan.ca to find out how staff can support you with other services during this time.

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.

Outdoor lifeguard services will not be offered this summer at Fuller Lake Park or the Crofton Pool. Because the Crofton Pool cannot operate without a lifeguard, it will not open for the 2020 summer season. The Lifesaving Society, in conjunction with Worksafe BC and the BC Recreation and Parks Association, is developing training protocols for lifeguards for rescue training, first aid, and use of personal protective equipment during COVID-19. These protocols would need to be met in order for lifeguards to be present at any indoor or outdoor swimming location. Even if these protocols were finalized, the pool would not open in time for summer because it would take a considerable amount of time to hire and train staff on the increased guidelines for public health and safety. 

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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