Salt Spring Island Emergency Program
#104-343 Lower Ganges Road V8K 2S4 Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada

Issued at 2020-11-24 18:26 UTC by Environment Canada: Wind warning issued for: East Vancouver Island - Duncan to Nanaimo, B.C. (081310) Southern Gulf Islands, B.C. (082800)... Current details: Strong winds that may cause damage are expected or occurring. Very strong southeast winds of 70 km/h gusting to 90 are occurring across the Sunshine Coast and portions of East Vancouver Island near the Georgia Strait late this morning as a cold front sweeps across the area. These strong winds will spread into the Southern Gulf Islands and portions of Metro Vancouver near the water, particularly Tsawwassen and Boundary Bay The wind will subside early this afternoon for the Sunshine Coast and East Vancouver Island and this afternoon for Metro Vancouver and the Southern Gulf Islands as the front exits the area. Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports using #BCStorm. More details on the alert are available here. The latest status and details on all alerts, including alerts that are not part of your subscription, can be found here: http://www.weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html

COVID-19: What’s new? November 20th, 2020 Provincial Health Orders: New orders from the Public Health Officer go into effect today, November 20th. Changes includes:... Mandatory mask mandate in indoor public spaces No events or social gatherings with anyone outside your household or core bubble Travel advisory in BC: essential travel only Spin classes, hot yoga, and high intensity interval training are suspended. No spectators and no travel outside your community for sports games Visit https://gov.bc.ca/covid19restrictions for the full update. For information on how these changes impact businesses and employers, visit https://www.worksafebc.com/ If you have symptoms Testing is recommended for anyone with cold, influenza or COVID-like symptoms, even mild symptoms. Testing is not required if you do not have symptoms. If an individual has no symptoms, they do not require a test. In B.C., testing is generally not available through the provincial health care system for people without symptoms including routine screening for employment, travel, school, before surgery or for other health procedures. Appointments for COVID-19 testing must be pre-booked through the Island Health Call Centre. Island Health is not providing tests for walk-up or drive-in clients without an appointment. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID 1. Complete a self-assessment with the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to ensure your symptoms are recommended for testing. 2. Book a test by calling the Island Health COVID-19 Testing Call Center at 1-844-901-8442. Please note that call centre hours are Monday to Sunday between 8:30 am to 8:30pm. When you call the call center you will be asked to leave a callback number rather than wait on-hold. Calls will be processed in priority order during business hours but you may receive a call back after Call Centre hours, as we work to keep up with demand. Please ensure you provide a phone number that you can be reached at after our hours of operation. You will need your personal health number (or your child's) available when Call Centre staff return your call. 3. The call center team will confirm your need for a test and book you a test at your local testing center. Please visit the BC Centre for Disease Control page for more information about testing for COVID-19 Enforcement During a public health emergency under the Public Health Act, the Provincial health Officer can make orders as needed. Breaking these orders may result in a substantial fine. Under the Government’s Emergency Program Act, some orders can be enforced by police. To make a report, please use your local police stations non-emergency number. .

BC Government News @BCGovNews New orders are in place to help everyone in BC significantly reduce their social interactions and to stop #Covid19 from spreading in our province. The following orders and direction are in effect: (1/3)... Mandatory mask mandate for workers & customers in indoor public & retail spaces & in workplace common areas No events or social gatherings with anyone outside your household or core bubble (if you live alone) #Covid19 travel advisory in BC: essential travel only (2/3) Spin classes, hot yoga, and high intensity interval training are suspended. No spectators and no travel outside your community for sports games Learn more : https://gov.bc.ca/covid19restrictions #Covid19 #CovidBC (3/3) New orders mandate mask wearing in all indoor public and retail settings like grocery stores and coffee shops. Masks are also mandatory in workplace areas like shared work spaces, kitchens, and elevators. Learn more: https://gov.bc.ca/COVID19restrictions pastedImage.png

Issued at 2020-11-17 1:34PM PST by Environment Canada: Wind warning ended for: Southern Gulf Islands, B.C. (082800) Current details: The above alert for your subscribed area has ended.... More details on the alert are available here. The latest status and details on all alerts, including alerts that are not part of your subscription, can be found here: http://www.weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html

https://weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html

Attention customers of the Fernwood part of the Highland-Fernwood Water Service Area a water main break has drained the water storage tanks which has resulted in reduced or no water service to our customers in the service area. When water service is restored, note that the CRD in consultation with Island Health have issued a Boil Water Advisory for the Fernwood part of the Highland-Fernwood water service.

Please be advised of the following alert for all transit systems: Please wear a face covering on board We encourage riders to please wear a face covering on board.... Learn more about how we’re aligning safety measures with BC’s Restart Plan at bctransit.com/covid19. This alert became active on Wednesday June 10, 2020 at 8:38 AM Pacific Daylight Time. For more information regarding this alert, please visit BCTransit.com. Thank you for using the BC Transit alert notification service.

Fire Ban Still in Effect - May 26, 2020 10:30 am Only campfires (with valid permit) are allowed due to the Provincial Fire Ban from COVID-19. Please be respectful of your neighbours and make note of the Venting Index on the Salt Spring Fire Department page. We are already at a MODERATE level for Fire Risk.... https://saltspringfire.com/burn-restrictions/ Salt Spring Fire Department

Invasive Plant Drop Offs - Posted May 25, 2020 8:20 pm Be FireSmart and drop off your invasive plants (gorse, broom and other woody invasive plants for chipping) Next drop off day is Sunday, June 7, 2020 10-3 at the Central Fire Hall.... Salt Spring Fire Department

Invasive Plant Drop-Off Days Posted May 12, 2020 11:15 am Drop off Broom, Gorse and other Invasives to be chipped - by donation May 23 10-3, Fulford Fire Hall... June 7 10-3, Central Fire Hall Be FireSmart Salt Spring Fire Department

COVID-19 BC Restart after May Long Weekend - May 8, 2020 11:15 am - Phase 2 - AFTER May Long Weekend - Avoid non-essential travel - For businesses, public health and WorkSafeBC will outline the specific requirements ... ...the Premier announced we will be ready to move to Phase 2 after the May long weekend. This is something we can all look forward to, but we are not there yet. Staying home as much as possible and being respectful of those around us when we do go out are still very much a necessity for all of us. These principles will not change, even as we move to the next phase: Safe physical distancing, washing our hands and avoiding non-essential personal travel. For businesses, public health and WorkSafeBC will outline the specific requirements that must be followed for your business sector and workforce. Template plans and checklists for businesses are being developed for you to follow. Full details here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0026-000835

COVID-19 Shower Program for Vulnerable Populations - May 8, 2020 10:30 am PARC will continue to work with Salt Spring Island Community Services in assisting the many community members who rely on the shower and washroom facilities at the Rainbow Road Aquatic Centre throughout the year. More information on the Salt Spring Exchange, the Gulf Islands Driftwood and on the CRD website:... https://www.crd.bc.ca//salt-spring-island-shower-program-t

COVID-19 Mental Health Supports - May 7, 2020 6:40 pm Since 2013, the Salt Spring Health Advancement Network (SSHAN) has been paying attention to building connections. We believe that through being connected we can be stronger as a community. Given the current need, a number of mental health online and telephone services are listed below. Know that you do not need to reach a crisis point to get support. These resources are for you or someone you know who is/are feeling emot...ional challenges or simply wish to be proactive in your care. SSHAN is continuing to check in with partners about the mental health concerns they haveboth within their organization or for those they serve. We are currently mapping vulnerable communities, noting what supports they are receiving or gaps in service. The work of community continues.

COVID-19 - BC Restart Plan - May 7, 2020 11:15 am Details of BC’s Restart Plan were announced yesterday by Premier John Horgan. - a phased approach with first changes coming in mid-May (NO CHANGES YET)... - In Mid-May some sectors will reopen with enhanced protocols - BC Parks will open for DAY USE ONLY in mid-May with restrictions in place. In keeping with public health guidelines around non-essential travel, people are urged to only visit parks close to their home and avoid travelling to small communities. A strong emphasis on personal hygiene for all British Columbians, including hand washing, physical distancing and staying at home if you are sick, will be crucial for the success of every phase of the plan. If you are at greater risk (over the age of 60 or with underlying medical conditions), be informed of your risk, think through your risk tolerance and take extra precautions. More details can be found here: BC’s Restart Plan https://www2.gov.bc.ca//covid-19-provincia/bc-restart-plan Premier Horgan’s Announcement - May 6, 2020 https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0026-000826

COVID-19 Update for BC Today - May 6, 2020 10:15 am Today at 3pm there will be an announcement from Premier John Horgan about next steps for BC in the response to COVID-19 in the province. On Monday, May 4, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced some "Key Principles for Going Forward" - see the slide below (slide 26). The full set of slides she presented can be found here - https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Covid-19_May4_PPP.pdf.

Emergency Preparedness Week and COVID-19 - May 5, 2020 1:40 pm Welcome to Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week), an annual event that takes place across Canada during the first full week of May and is an opportunity to encourage Canadians to take concrete actions to be better prepared to protect themselves and families during an emergency or disaster. Here in the capital region we face a range of hazards including earthquake and tsunami, wildfire, power outages and extreme we...ather, flooding and storm surges, and pandemics. These sound scary, but it doesn't have to be. There are three simple steps to emergency preparedness: 1. Know your hazards 2. Gather your supplies 3. Make a plan Visit PrepareYourself.ca (www.prepareyourself.ca) to learn about hazards in our region and how to prepare for an emergency. Get tips on how to prepare on a budget and in a small space and checkout the Prepare Yourself Workbook (https://www.crd.bc.ca///prepareyourself/epworkbook-ed4.pdf) to help you plan. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may have made you realize the importance of preparedness or maybe you have found yourself with extra time with your family to make a household emergency plan. The Province of BC offers a Master of Disaster (https://www2.gov.bc.ca//public-educatio/master-of-disaster) youth program for grades 4 to 8. Use these fun and interactive tools with your family during Emergency Preparedness Week! The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed many of our lives and created uncertainty about what the future will hold. Be prepared to look after your mental health and wellness. It is important to know where to find reliable and trustworthy information. PrepareYourself recommends the BC CDC (www.bccdc.ca) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html ) as your source of truth. Visit the PrepareYourself's Infectious Disease page (https://www.crd.bc.ca//hazards-in-our-r/infectious-disease) for a list of resources to support you through the COVID-19 Pandemic including mental health and wellness resources, and links to financial resources currently offered by the provincial and federal governments. This is a stressful event; it is common for people to experience stress and anxiety, and also show great resiliency in times of crisis. For information from the CRD in Victoria on COVID-19: https://www.crd.bc.ca/about/news/covid-19-information. If you are a resident and have non-medical COVID-related questions you can email the CRD in Victoria at [email protected] (emails will be replied to M-F). Our local Salt Spring email is [email protected] and phone number is 250-537-1220

COVID-19 BC Provincial Supports - May 1, 2020 10:50 am Here is a list of the most recent Provincial announcements to support people and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit the COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information website for more information: https://www2.gov.bc.ca//emerge/covid-19-provincial-support (or if you cannot see the details in these images).... Also see the CRD website for information on our area: https://www.crd.bc.ca/about/news/covid-19-information