COVID-19 Alberni Valley Response

Temporary relief is on the way for British Columbians whose ability to work has been affected by COVID-19, with applications for the $1,000 B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers (BCEBW) opening on May 1, 2020.

The BCEBW is a one-time, tax-free $1,000 payment for British Columbians whose ability to work has been affected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most people who are eligible for the new federal Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) are also eligible for the BCEBW, including those who have run out of employment insurance (EI) benefits and subsequently qualify for the CERB.

Starting May 1, applications can be made online, at any time, and a link to the application portal will be available at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/workerbenefit. Also starting May 1, people can call 778 309-4630 or toll-free within B.C. at 1 855 955-3545, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Pacific time) for general support or questions. Applications over the phone will begin on May 4.

Testing is now being used to quickly identify and address any new community clusters and outbreaks that may emerge. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms can now be assessed and tested by appointment through a physician, nurse practitioner or a local community collection centre. To learn where, when and how people with symptoms can be tested, visit: www.phsa.ca

An excerpt from the most recent message to parents from SD70’s Superintendent:

You may have heard both the BC Premier and Minister of Education mention the possibility of schools reopening before the end of June. These comments are likely based on the positive effects of following public health guidelines such as physical distancing and good hygiene in managing the COVID-19 virus, and the idea that BC might be positioned to start thinking about a COVID-19 ‘recovery strategy’. This does not mean the COVID-19 battle has been won or that a return to in-class instruction is imminent. Instead, we continue to be guided by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) recommendations and know that any reopening of schools would occur only when Dr. Henry indicates it is safe to do so.

The Minister’s message of March 17th did not call an end to the school year nor did it provide a guarantee that all students will pass and/or graduate. Instead, the Minister used the words “on-track” to describe those students who were in a position to pass or graduate as of Spring Break and would remain so while they continued their learning from home. It implied that learning did not stop but simply would not occur in classrooms as usual. I raise this issue not to alarm but rather to remind students – particularly secondary students – that work assigned and completed during the suspension of in-class instruction will help teachers provide a required final grade in June. Work completed at home in April – June is very important for students who were not on-track as of March 13th in any semester 2 class. Teachers are being very selective and creative about the learning activities they are assigning, focusing on key concepts and competencies and trying very hard not to overwhelm students and parents. Secondary school principals will be writing to students and parents to provide further clarification specifically on this topic.

At elementary schools, classroom teachers had nearly seven months with students prior to the suspension of in-class instruction and, for the most part, had a fairly good idea of students’ abilities, strengths and challenges prior to Spring Break. Any assigned home learning activities are intended to help students stay on-track, to reinforce important concepts and competencies, and to provide additional information for teachers to use in providing a required final grade in June. As with their secondary colleagues, elementary teachers are very aware of the variability in home learning environments and are trying not to overwhelm students and parents.

For access to the full message as well as information and updates from both the school district and the Ministry of Education, please visit https://www.sd70.bc.ca/.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve has extended the closure period and is now keeping closures in place until at least May 31, 2020, along with other Parks Canada places across the country.

As a reminder:

• All parking lots, trails, washrooms, day use facilities, showers, and visitor centres will continue to be closed, including access to beaches.

• Camping of any kind is not permitted.

• Highway 4 through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve remains open to allow essential services to access Tofino and surrounding communities. However, Wick Road, Radar Hill Road, Grice Bay Road, and all parking lots continue to be closed. Motorists are not permitted to stop anywhere in the national park reserve.

• The Broken Group Islands and the entire West Coast Trail unit (including Keeha Trail and Beach, Pachena Beach and Middle Beach) will be closed until at least May 31, 2020

• Parks Canada will continue to deliver critical services, including law enforcement and water management.

This is not an appropriate time to visit any part of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. This applies to shorter visits as well, including surfing, hiking, and beach walks in the Long Beach Unit, as well as kayaking and boating in the Broken Group Islands.

We are hopeful that through our shared efforts, we can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect our local communities.

As of April 16^th small businesses can now apply for bill relief from BC Hydro. Under the program, BC Hydro small business customers that have closed as a result of COVID-19 can apply to have their electricity costs waived for up to three months. Customers have until June 30, 2020 to submit their application. BC Hydro residential and business customers can apply online for the COVID-19 Relief Fund at bchydro.com//covid-19.

The Province is providing enhanced relief for businesses by reducing most commercial property tax bills by an average of 25%. Today’s announcement came with other significant new steps to support B.C. businesses, non-profits and other organizations through the COVID-19 pandemic by responding to key concerns from local governments as well as addressing cash flow and revenue shortfalls with new measures that provide additional support. For detailed information please visit: news.gov.bc.ca.

April 9 - Island Health wishes to remind everyone on Vancouver Island that if you are experiencing a medical emergency, we are ready to provide the care you need.

We are incredibly thankful to the people of Vancouver Island who have heeded our call to avoid unnecessary trips to our emergency departments. With that said, it is important that people who do require immediate care continue to seek it out. Call 811 for advice, call 911 or come to an emergency department if you believe you have an emergency issue requiring care.

We also understand that some people may be hesitant to come to a hospital or emergency department due to concerns related to COVID-19 transmission. We want to reassure people that we have strict infection prevention and control protocols in place and all of our hospitals remain a safe place for everyone to receive care. We know many people are managing chronic disease and other health issues and it is important you continue to work with your health care providers on this.

As ever, if you believe you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, do not attend a hospital unless you require immediate emergency care. Use the BC Centre for Disease Control’s online self-assessment tool (bc.thrive.health) and self-isolate for at least 10 days. Call your primary care provider or 811 for advice if you are concerned about your symptoms. If you do plan to seek medical care, please call ahead to the site you plan to attend. For the latest information, please continue to check back regularly to islandhealth.covid-19 or bccdc.ca .

April 7 - The Province has announced that effective at noon on Thursday, April 16, 2020, most open burning activities will be prohibited throughout British Columbia to reduce the likelihood of human-caused wildfires, although campfires will still be allowed. The following activities will be prohibited, and these restrictions will remain in effect until the public is otherwise notified:

• Category 2 open fires;
• Category 3 open fires;
• Resource Management open fires;
• the use of fireworks;
• the use of sky lanterns; and
• the use of burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description (except when used for a campfire).

These prohibitions apply to all public and private land within British Columbia, unless specified otherwise (e.g., in a local government bylaw). Check with local government authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any fire. A poster explaining the different categories of open burning is available online: www.gov.bc.ca/openfireregs.

April 8 - BC Hydro announced it is accepting applications from residential customers for its COVID-19 Relief Fund; small business customers can start applying next week. Eligible residential customers can apply for a one-time bill credit of three times their average monthly bill amount. Small business customers that have had to close their business as a result of COVID-19 can apply starting next week to have their electricity charges waived for up to three months. Customers have until June 30, 2020 to submit their application. To find out your eligibility and apply for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, visit: bchydro/covid19relief.

April 7 - FortisBC has implemented a COVID-19 Customer Recovery Fund, a program that provides new support measures for residential and small business customers who are facing financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19. For residential customers, those who sign up for the fund will automatically have their bill payments deferred from April 1 to June 30. A repayment schedule, free of interest or any additional fees, will be set up and payments can be spread over a full year after June 30, lessening the monthly impact. For small businesses that have been forced to close, bill credits will be issued to offset any charges to their account while they’ve been unable to continue operating their business as usual. Businesses still open, but facing a slowdown in revenue, will not receive bill credits but can also receive bill deferral for the same 90 day period as residential customers.

These measures are in addition to the previously announced suspension of late fees and stopping service disconnections for any financial reason. For more information and how to apply visit: www.fortisbc.com.