COVID-19

North Cowichan's Municipal Hall is open in a limited capacity. To protect staff and members of the public, 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 limited. 

Members of the public are required to wear a mask, and complete a health-check, prior to entering all Municipal facilities. Disposable masks will be provided for members of the public who do not have their own. Services can be denied if a patron refuses to wear a mask.

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 during this time.

BC Vaccine Card Requirements

British Columbia’s new vaccine passport is now in place, with a requirement to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to participate in certain discretionary activities. Proof of vaccination will not be required to attend municipal hall, however it is required in some circumstances when using and visiting recreational facilities. Please refer to the following table for details: 

Update Sept 16, 2021: please note the age for "Gym use, exercise activities" in the table below has changed from age 22 to age 12.

Update Sept 28, 2021: clarification has been added around spectators at indoor youth activities. Additionally, proof of vaccination, when required, must be either the digital card (on your phone) or the printed version from the Province's website. Cards from the pharmacy are no longer accepted.

Update Oct 29, 2021: Proof of vaccination plus government ID is required for those aged 12 and over attending public skate sessions at Fuller Lake Arena.

Update Nov 29, 2021: Effective December 1, 2021, the Cowichan Aquatic Centre will require all visitors, ages 12 and up, to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Location

Activity or program

BC Vaccine Card

Comments

Municipal Hall

Front counter service

Not required

 

Council or committee meeting, or public hearings

Not required

Note that North Cowichan is currently holding these types of meetings virtually and there are no in-person events scheduled

Meetings between staff and public

Not required

Meetings could involve discussions around development applications, business licensing, or other municipal business. Virtual meetings will be utilized where possible

Works Yard

Front counter service

Not applicable

The works yard is currently not open for public access

Cowichan Aquatic Centre

Swimming, swim club, lessons, aquafit and other aquatic fitness classes

Persons aged

12 and over (effective Dec 1, 2021)

 

Spectators for swimming activites

Persons aged 12 and over

 

Dryland fitness classes and fitness room

Persons aged 12 and over

 

Non-aquatic adult sports, classes and programs

Persons aged 22 and over

 

Events over 50 people

Persons aged 12 and over

 

Fuller Lake Arena

Public skating, learn to skate lessons and youth/child on-ice users

Persons aged 12 and over

 

Spectators at skating activities

When more than 50 persons, anyone aged 12 and over

 

Adult sport, classes and programs

Persons aged 22 and over

 

Events over 50 people

Persons aged 12 and over

 

Doing your business remotely with Municipal Hall:

  • We encourage you, whenever possible, to conduct your business with Municipal Hall over the phone, or by email, to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
  • Please reach out to our departments directly (phone and email contacts listed below) to learn how we can serve you. 
  • Did you know that we now offer online credit card payments for dog licences and business licences? Learn more here: www.northcowichan.ca/payments 
  • Your taxes, utility bills, business licences and dog licences are also payable through online banking with most financial institutions. Click here for more information.

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:

Recreation Facilities 

Fuller Lake Arena and Cowichan Aquatic Centre are now open to the public. For the latest information on which aquatic, fitness, skating programs and services are available, and, visit: www.northcowichan.ca/recreation.

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 can participate via teleconference or written submission by email or Canada Post. 
To learn how to participate in a virtual meeting, visit: 
www.northcowichan.ca/EN/main/municipal-hall/attending-a-virtual-meeting.html

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. 

News Releases:

BC HealthLink Information Line

Find information about COVID-19, how to protect yourself, your family and your community and what to do if you suspect you have the virus. 

Island Health's COVID-19 Vaccine Information

For eligibility information, contact details, and more, please visit https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine

Provincial Health Orders in effect:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions.          


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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