COVID-19 Alberni Valley Response

VICTORIA – In keeping with directives and guidance provided by Transport Canada, passengers travelling with BC Ferries will be required to be in possession of a face covering that covers their mouth and nose, and asked to wear this covering in situations when a physical separation of two metres cannot be maintained. This directive goes into effect on June 15 for routes longer than 30 minutes and applies to all passengers over the age of two, including those passengers travelling in a vehicle. Passengers will be asked to confirm they have a face covering and are willing to wear it when necessary. If a passenger answers ‘no’, or fails to answer, they will be unable to travel. Customers must bring their own face coverings as BC Ferries will not be supplying them to travellers.

As defined by the Public Health Agency of Canada, a face covering should fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops, be made of at least two layers of tightly woven material fabric (such as cotton or linen) and be large enough to completely and comfortably cover the nose and mouth without gaping.

BC Ferries will also continue screening all customers for COVID-19 symptoms and restrict travel to any customer that does not meet the screening requirements, as per the federal guidelines.

BC Ferries is dedicated to providing a safe and healthy travel experience for its passengers and employees. For those that need to travel, additional measures have been put in place to keep customers and crew healthy and safe. These preventative measures include support for physical distancing, screening customers on arrival, allowing customers to remain in their vehicles on all decks during the sailing and enhanced cleaning.

As this situation is rapidly evolving, BC Ferries encourages customers to monitor the website for any additional changes to service. For full details on service changes and the measures BC Ferries is taking in response to COVID-19, visit bcferries.com.

Port Alberni, BC – Effective Wednesday, June 10, 2020, the City of Port Alberni, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District and School District 70 will reopen playgrounds for public use in the Alberni Valley.

When using the playground equipment, we remind you to:

• Supervise children
• Bring hand sanitizer to use before and after using the playground
• Keep a 2m (6 feet) distance between guardians from different households
• Do stay home if you are sick
• Restrict crowding as much as possible

Please note that the playground surfaces are NOT sanitized.

For children to stay healthy and active, we recognize it is important for them to play outside and that the use of playground equipment will encourage their physical and mental health. The welfare of our residents continues to be our primary focus. As we move towards recovery, we will monitor information, follow recommendations provided by the Federal, Provincial and local agencies and communicate any further changes to service delivery.

On March 22, playgrounds were closed to protect the health and safety of all residents, encourage physical distancing and help slow the spread of COVID-19. As these facilities reopen, public health officials will continue to stress the importance of taking precautions to limit the transmission of COVID-19.

Remember to have fun!

for more information:

Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, 250-720-2700 / www.acrd.bc.ca

City of Port Alberni, 250-723-1327 / www.portalberni.ca

School District 70, 250-723-3565 / www.sd70.bc.ca

Are you eligible for benefits during COVID-19? During the pandemic, the Federal and Provincial governments have provided a variety of supports and benefits for individuals and businesses. The Government of Canada has produced a great, new online tool that will help you determine whether you qualify for financial help during COVID-19. It is very user-friendly and effective. After only a few short questions, it will direct you to any appropriate Provincial and Federal benefit programs that apply to you. Visit: https://covid-benefits.alpha.canada.ca/en/start

The provincial state of emergency is being extended an additional two weeks to support continued co-ordination of B.C.’s COVID-19 response.

“We are now in the longest state of emergency in our province’s history, and British Columbians everywhere have shown we have what it takes to persevere through these challenging times,” said Premier John Horgan. “As we slowly turn the dial on our social and economic activity, we must work together to do so in a way that keeps our communities and loved ones safe in the weeks and months to come.”

Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, is extending the state of emergency as B.C. begins to safely and carefully restart the province. B.C. is now in Phase 2 of its Restart Plan, which lays out a series of steps and principles that everyone must follow to protect people and ensure the province can come back from COVID-19 stronger than before.

“As businesses work hard to safely reopen their doors and friends and families carefully expand their social bubbles, we are beginning to see what this global challenge will look like in B.C.,” Farnworth said. “Our government is committed to supporting people and businesses for the long road ahead, and we will continue to find ways to keep the economy moving and keep people safe.”

The current state of emergency is being extended through the end of the day on June 9, 2020. During the past two weeks of the provincial state of emergency, government has taken action to support British Columbians by:

• welcoming the release of the initial set of WorkSafeBC guidelines that will help businesses and organizations develop their plans to reopen safely during Phase 2 of BC’s Restart Plan;
• helping the province’s hospitality sector by temporarily authorizing the expansion of service areas, such as patios, to support physical distancing requirements and industry recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic;
• supporting people working on the front lines in B.C.’s health-care system, social services and corrections by providing temporary COVID-19 pandemic pay as part of a cost-shared program with the federal government;
• announcing that parents will have the choice to bring their children back to class on a part-time basis this school year as part of BC’s Restart Plan, with the goal of returning to full-time classes in September 2020; and
• supporting people who were living in encampments in Victoria at Topaz Park and on Pandora Avenue to move into secured temporary accommodations, with wraparound supports to protect their health and safety.

The extension of the provincial state of emergency is based on recommendations from B.C.’s health and emergency management officials. Farnworth made the original declaration on March 18, 2020, after Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, declared a public health emergency the previous day.

Quick Facts:

• Declarations of provincial states of emergency may be issued by the minister responsible under the Emergency Program Act.
• The provincial government can extend the period of a declaration made by the minister responsible for further periods of up to 14 days at a time.
• The current state of emergency is the longest in B.C.’s history, surpassing the 2017 wildfire season when the province was in a state of emergency for 10 weeks from July 7 to Sept. 15.

Learn More:

For information on BC’s Restart Plan, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/RestartBC

The City of Port Alberni is taking a phased approach to reopening City Hall beginning Monday, June 1, 2020, to serve those that need assistance in processing their property tax and utility bill payments. The interior of the building will remain closed to the public, while a staffed payment booth in the front foyer of the building will be available (hours are limited from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday to Friday.)

While this in-person option is being made available, the City continues to strongly encourage taxpayers to use the alternate payment methods:

• Online or telephone banking
• At your financial institution, while completing your other banking business
• By mail
• Via the secure City Hall mail drop box

“Typically, the number of people visiting City Hall increases dramatically during tax time. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and the required physical distancing measures, the City’s approach to making in-person payments has changed. To better serve a greater number of people, many of whom are seniors, in the safest manner possible, the front foyer of City Hall has been modified to include one staffed plexiglass payment station,” said director of finance, Andrew McGifford.

In addition to directional signage, physical distancing stickers will be placed on the ground to ensure those in line are keeping a safe distance from one another. The staffed payment station and payment machine will be cleaned between each person and directional signage will safely guide people to the designated exit area. Signage reminding individuals to stay home if they are unwell will also be prominently posted.

For the safety of staff and the public, those with general inquiries are encouraged to phone or email City Hall. Should an individual arrive at City Hall with a general inquiry, they will be asked to contact reception by phone or email for assistance.

“We want to ensure we continue to provide high-quality services to our residents during this time,” said Mayor Minions. “While there is so much we can do virtually these days, we respect the fact that some people either need special assistance, do not feel comfortable using the online services or don’t have internet access. By offering this in-person payment option we ensure that everyone can be served safely and conveniently.”

City staff continues to investigate ways to safely reopen the rest of the building after the property tax season. In the meantime, staff are available via phone or email, and the many online services will continue to be available at portalberni.ca/online-services.

Please be reminded that the property tax deadline is July 2, 2020.

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For More Information

Andrew McGifford, Director of Finance

City of Port Alberni

250-720-2821

andrew_mcgifford@portalberni.ca

Starting June 4, 2020, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve will offer limited visitor access and basic services.

Visitors will be able to access the following services and facilities:

Select parking areas, beach accesses and nearby washroom facilities in the Long Beach Unit, including:

• Long Beach North
• Long Beach South
• Wickaninnish Beach

Select day-use trails in the Long Beach Unit, including:

• Rainforest Trail A and B
• Shorepine Bog Trail

Until June 4, these facilities remain closed and we ask that visitors respect these closures in order to allow park staff to do the necessary work to prepare for opening.

In addition, Green Point Campground in the Long Beach Unit remains closed until at least June 21. Camping in other areas of the national park reserve, including the West Coast Trail, Keeha Beach, and Broken Group Islands, remains suspended until Parks Canada and First Nations assess how these backcountry services might resume.

Visiting Pacific Rim National Park Reserve will be different than it has been in the past. Visitors are asked to plan ahead by checking the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve website before they travel to find out:

• what is open
• what they can expect
• how to prepare for their visit

The health and safety of visitors and employees is of utmost importance to the Government of Canada. Parks Canada is following the advice of public health experts and continues to make every effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. Visitors should follow the advice of public health experts, including necessary hygiene practices and physical distancing of two metres from others.

Safety is a shared responsibility. Parks Canada is asking Canadians to be cautious and conservative in their use of these places, to observe any regional or provincial travel restrictions and to respect any closures that are in place. Anyone participating in recreational activities should be extra cautious to avoid injury and/or getting lost to help minimize the demands placed on search and rescue teams and on the health care system.

Detailed information on Parks Canada places and the measures the Agency is taking to limit the spread of COVID-19 can be found on the Parks Canada website. Please check regularly for updates.

Premier John Horgan has released the following statement about racist activity in British Columbia during the COVID-19 pandemic:

“Everyone has a right to live without fear of violence or discrimination. Yet we are hearing disturbing stories of a rise in anti-Asian racist behaviour since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“People are being targeted as they go about their daily lives. It is unacceptable. I have said it before: hate has no place in our province and it will not be tolerated. Our strength is in our diversity and we reject all forms of racism, discrimination, intolerance and bigotry.

“Racism is also a virus. Through challenging times, British Columbians must stay united. We are always stronger and more resilient as a province when we treat each other with kindness, generosity and respect. To do so, we must all stand together to call out racism and discrimination when we see it.”

On May 21, 2020, BC Transit announced their Recovery Plan. They will follow the guidance of the Provincial Health Office and WorkSafeBC, and draw on the best practices of the transit industry worldwide. They will continue with many of the measures put in place to respond to COVID-19, and are implementing some additional practices and procedures to align with BC’s Restart Plan.

Measures already in place that will continue:

• Enhanced cleaning and sanitization on buses and at BC Transit facilities
• Rear door loading and ceasing fare collection (until May 31, 2020)
• Limiting passenger capacity to support physical distancing
• A red line on floor at front of bus indicates passengers to stand behind
• Additional personal protective equipment for handyDART transit operators
• Communication to staff and customers to encourage behaviours that contribute to the safety of themselves, our operators and fellow passengers:
• Practicing physical distancing when possible
• Standing behind the red line to give your driver space
• Moving to an open space if available o Avoiding touching your face
• Practicing proper hand hygiene and coughing or sneezing into the bend of your arm
• Staying home if you are feeling unwell

The following procedures will be in place to align with BC’s Restart Plan:

• Capacity management:
• BC Transit will continue to target a comfortable capacity on buses
• Capacity will be managed by shifting demand to times and places where there is extra capacity
• Operators will manage bus capacity
• In communities with NextRide, riders will be encouraged to check for capacity conditions in advance of boarding
• The use of face coverings will be encouraged on buses and at bus stops where physical distancing is not possible
• Additional signage will be put in place across the province to promote these practices
• Resuming front door loading and fare collection (effective June 1, 2020)
• Entering only at the front and exiting only at the rear door to get more one way flow, with the exception of mobility aids (effective June 1, 2020)
• An exception will be made for customers with mobility aids to exit through the front of the bus
• Protective barriers for operators in the form of vinyl panels or full driver doors
• Timeline for installation of full driver door protective barriers on buses will be accelerated

On May 21, 2020, School District 70 Superintendent, Greg Smyth sent a letter to all parents/guardians and students regarding the District’s Restart Plan. Parents and students will have a choice to return to in-class instruction starting June 1. This is a partial, gradual and voluntary restart. Students K – 5 may return to school for the equivalent of 2 days per week and one day per week for Grades 6 -7. To help with the development of a school-specific plan, parents who would like their children to return to school are asked to complete the Online Voluntary Return to School Request form by 3:00 pm on Monday, May 25. ADSS and USS students will continue with their currently delivery models and teachers will be available Monday – Thursday mornings for tutorials to assist students in learning.

For further information or to complete the online form, please visit: www.sd70.bc.ca

The Provincial Government has issued two emergency orders that temporarily suspend in-person execution requirements for wills and personal planning instruments, including representation agreements and enduring powers of attorney.

The emergency orders address concerns raised by the legal community, including the regulatory bodies and representative associations for lawyers and notaries public, as well as by members of the public, regarding the requirement that such legal documents be executed and witnessed in person.

The new orders benefit both legal professionals and their clients, particularly seniors and immuno-compromised people who may be hesitant to travel into more populated areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as British Columbians who live in rural and remote areas and are trying to limit travel outside of their communities.

Under the orders, which are effective as of May 19, 2020, careful safeguards will be established to reduce fraud, including ensuring legal professionals (lawyers and notaries public) are involved in remote execution; prescribing the circumstances in which documents can be executed remotely; and providing strict parameters and requirements around remote execution.

The emergency orders are tied to the provincial state of emergency and will expire when it is lifted.

Read the emergency orders here:

http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/mo/mo/2020_m161

http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/mo/mo/2020_m162