EMO What's New

March 17, 2020

We recognize there is a tremendous amount of information about COVID-19, including communications from the City of Parksville. To help prevent the spread of the virus and protect the health and wellbeing of our residents and staff, here's what we are doing:

-Closely monitoring direction provided by local, provincial and federal health authorities. The City will take immediate action as directed by these agencies.
- Closing City offices and facilities to the public until further notice. City services continue to operate to support the community and maintain our core services such as water, sewer and fire.
- Cancelling or postponing City meetings and the closure of Council meetings to attendance by the public. Council meetings may be viewed through webcasting, either live or archived. - Emergency program coordinators from Parksville and Qualicum Beach are working together and a Level 1 emergency operations centre has been activated.
- The City has identified essential functions and the people who perform them and are poised to make changes to operations should it be necessary.
- Keeping the public informed. Information is communicated directly to community groups, organizations, the media as well as through the City's website and social media channels. We will continue to share information and operational updates. https://letstalkparksville.ca/covid-19-information-and-resources
- Activation of pandemic policies and pandemic communications strategy.
- Internal updates for staff. Every effort is being made to keep employees healthy. Increased hygiene includes sanitization, deep cleaning of offices as well as other measures.
- Scheduled conference calls with Island Health chief medical officer three times each week.

Here's what you can do:
- If you have symptoms and may have been exposed to COVID-19, you must call your local primary care provider, or 811. Non-medical info, 7:30 am to 8 pm may be obtained from 1 888-COVID19 (1 888-268-4319)
- Continue to refer to trusted sources for information. The City provides general information and links at https://letstalkparksville.ca/covid-19-information-and-resources.
- Continue to practice safe social distancing and avoid all group gatherings. Please continue to be vigilant in reducing the risk and spread of COVID-19 - when coughing or sneezing, use a tissue or the sleeve of a shirt or jacket to cover the spread of droplets and most importantly, wash your hands multiple times a day.
- Hoarding is hurting more than it is helping. The province has assured everyone there are sufficient supplies and the supply chain is healthy.


For more information:
Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications dtardiff@parksville.ca 250 954-3073