COVID-19 in BC
BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) COVID-19 DASHBOARD
- Provincial Government Information Bulletin
- All Provincial Orders Related to COVID-19
- Province of BC Restart Plan
COVID-19 News & Resources
- SLRD News, Notices & Press Releases
- Public Health Resources
- Mental Health Resources
- Government Resources
- Small Business Resources
- Related Documents
SLRD NEWS, NOTICES & PRESS RELEASES
SLRD NEWS
Message from SLRD Board Chair August 7, 2020
It is 20 weeks since B.C. declared a State of Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and now we are also in the midst of what is typically our high-risk period for wildfires
In April, an SLRD community literally got a trial by fire of evacuation during a pandemic, when a wildland interface fire took off in the Upper Squamish Valley. More than 100 people were evacuated at no notice as the fire roared around the valley, jumping a road and heading up into the hills. Group lodging was out of the question, as was staying with friends and family. Due to the (socially distanced) professional assistance of responding organizations and the outpouring of generosity from people in neighbouring communities, the Upper Squamish Valley community came through this event resilient and recovering. But now we are in August, traditionally one of the highest risk months for wildfire, and there is also no end in sight yet to the changes that COVID-19 is requiring of us.
Many of us are tired. Tired of keeping our distance, tired of hearing about this virus, tired of uncertain financial circumstances, exhausted by anxiety. Pandemic fatigue is real and people respond to that fatigue in a number of ways. Recently in BC we have started to see our number of active cases tracking upwards as people feel an understandable desire to enjoy summer, connect in person, to have fun and generally relax in the company of a wider circle of other human beings.
Like a wildfire, COVID-19 can flare up from a small and seemingly harmless spark. Even though we are tired of what this pandemic is requiring of us, let’s enjoy our summer while still observing the basics of COVID-19 safety so that we can head into the colder months with our curve flattened. The basics make the biggest difference, and we have had 20 weeks to perfect our handwashing, physical distancing, mask wearing when required and assessing ourselves for any symptoms of the virus.
Like COVID-19, the basics also make the difference in lowering the risk to our homes and communities from wildfire. Whether it’s an extra bucket of water on that campfire, cleaning up the yard or clearing leaves out of the gutters, small simple things can make the difference between no problem and a life- threatening problem. To learn more about how to make where you live FireSmart, check out http://firesmartbc.ca/ where you will also find real stories from Upper Squamish Valley residents and responders about how FireSmart actions saved homes.
Whether it’s a wildfire or a pandemic, basic safety actions work in powerful ways to reduce the risk. As the Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry tells us, “be kind, be calm, be safe.” And, I will take this opportunity to add: “Be FireSmart.”
Tony Rainbow
Chair, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
SLRD COVID-19 NOTICES:
August 7, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
July 31, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
July 24, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
July 13, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
June 26, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
June 19, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
June 11, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
June 5, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
May 28, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
May 22, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
May 14, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
May 8, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
April 30, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
April 23, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
April 18, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
April 9, 2020 NOTICE: Message from the SLRD Board Chair
April 4, 2020 NOTICE: Message from SLRD Board Chair
April 2, 2020 NOTICE: Temporary Closure of Britannia Beach Playground and Trails
March 31, 2020 NOTICE: Temporary Closure of Furry Creek Beach Access
March 30, 2020 NOTICE: Province Offers Guidance to Retail Food and Grocery Stores Operating During COVID-19
March 27, 2020 NOTICE: Message from SLRD Board Chair
March 27, 2020 NOTICE: Open Burning Restrictions in Place
March 27, 2020 NOTICE: Transfer Stations and Landfills Remain Open: Please Take Precautions to Limit Amount of Time Spent On Site
March 26, 2020 NOTICE: Notice of Changes to Procedure for Receiving Requests For Proposals
March 26, 2020 NOTICE: State of Local Emergency Suspended
March 26, 2020 NOTICE: Temporary Closure of Naylor Way
March 22, 2020 NOTICE: Notice from SLRD Board Chair
March 21, 2020 NOTICE: Notice to Avoid Travel Outside of Your Home Community
March 21, 2020 NOTICE: Confirmed Cases of COVID-19
March 20, 2020 NOTICE: State of Local Emergency Declared
March 19, 2020 NOTICE: Free Stores to Close Temporarily
March 18, 2020 NOTICE: SLRD Administration Building is Closed Until Further Notice - Staff Available Remotely
SLRD COVID-19 NEWS RELEASES:
April 21, 2020 NEWS RELEASE: Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) Hosts First Virtual Board Meeting in Response to COVID-19
April 17, 2020 NEWS RELEASE: Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Communities Launch "Feed the Need" Program to Support Local Food Banks
April 7, 2020 NEWS RELEASE: Communities in Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Ask Visitors Not To Come During COVID-19 Pandemic
March 18, 2020 NEWS RELEASE: Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) Announces Changes in Light of COVID-19 Situation
PUBLIC HEALTH RESOURCES
What is COVID-19
If you are concerned about COVID-19 symptoms, do not go to your local health clinic or hospital. Instead, call the Provincial Healthlink line at: 8-1-1.
Health authorities advise that the most important steps residents can take to protect themselves and the community from COVID-19 include:
- Stay home from work, school, social gatherings and events if you are experiencing any illness (even mild symptoms).
- Practice social distancing - maintain a one-metre distance between yourself and anyone else who is coughing or sneezing.
- Forgo usual greetings (e.g. handshakes or hugs).
- Avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada.
- Anyone returning from travel outside of Canada is asked to stay away from work or school for 14 days upon their return.
- Cancel gatherings of 50 or more people.
- Wash your hands often.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Limit contact with people who appear to be ill.
Self-Assessment Tool
Links to Information Sources:
- BC Centre for Disease Control
- First Nations Health Authority
- Interior Health Authority
- Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
- Government of Canada
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Local
- Sea to Sky Healing Project
Toolkit for mental health in the time of COVID-19 - Sea to Sky Community Services
SSCS continues to operate and offer programs and services during the health crisis. Resources, help and support for children, youth and adults. - Vancouver Coastal Health
- Interior Health
Provincial
- Bounceback BC
Free skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered online or over the phone with a coach, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness. - Mental Health and Susbtance Use Supports in BC
- Mental Well-being during COVID-19 - BC Centre For Disease Control
- Crisis Centre BC
The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC (Crisis Centre) is committed to helping people help themselves and others deal with crisis, 24/7 distress phone and online services, both of the 310-6789 and 1-800-SUICIDE phone lines are available in over 140 languages. - Managing COVID-19 Stress, Anxiety and Depression - BC Government
- Virtual Mental Health Supports During COVID-19
- Mental Health Check-In - Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division
This tool will help you take a look at your mental health and wellness in light of COVID-19. Crisis line available.
National
- Anxiety Canada
Online resource providing self-help information, community programs and workshops in British Columbia, resources for parents and caregivers treating anxiety.
Other
- Supporting Children During COVID-19
Free, on-demand webinar
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
- Provincial Support
- Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses
- District of Lillooet
- Village of Pemberton
- Resort Municipality of Whistler
- District of Squamish
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
- Squamish Chamber of Commerce
- Whistler Chamber of Commerce
- Pemberton Chamber of Commerce
- Lillooet Chamber of Commerce
- Worksafe BC
- Small Business BC Support Service
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program
- Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program
- Canadian Business Resilience Reopening Toolkit