CITY OF RICHMOND’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19
Richmond, BC – In response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) situation, programs and services at all community facilities including community centres, libraries, the Richmond Olympic Oval, swimming pools, arenas, arts, cultural and heritage buildings will be closed effective end of day today (Monday, March 16), until further notice, with the exception of the following:
· Childcare programs
· Week-long camps such as spring break camps
· Food services at Seniors Centre at Minoru Centre for Active Living (only available for pick-up, details pending); and
· Home delivery of library materials to isolated seniors
The City’s Operations Works Yard, City Hall and Recycling Depot remain open.
“I understand everyone in Richmond, from residents to businesses, is feeling affected to various degrees by this unprecedented situation,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “Our priority right now is to uphold the key responsibilities municipal governments have during a pandemic. In response to the escalation of COVID-19, the City has invested considerable effort in assessing both risk and vulnerabilities in order to minimize the health risk to our citizens who utilize our facilities and conduct business at City Hall; to protect City employees; and to ensure continuity of our programs and services as the City continues to follow direction and support the efforts of the public health authorities who are leading the pandemic response.”
“Be confident that our current situation is of top priority for the City of Richmond as we put in place carefully considered preventative measures, and continue to adapt accordingly as updates on the pandemic arise. We all have a role to play, as we are all in this together. If there are friends, family and neighbours you can assist with grocery shopping or other duties, please do so.” Brodie continues.
“And I urge you to join the City in following the direction of the health authorities and do your part in following the risk reduction measures recommended by them. Richmond joins the province and the federal government, and others in our region, in working together to address the variety of evolving concerns.”
The City remains in regular contact with Medical Health Officers from Vancouver Coastal Health and B.C. Centre for Disease Control, the leading agencies for local public health, and continues to follow the agencies’ direction and recommendations.
The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. As of now, the Provincial Public Health Officer assesses the public health risk associated with COVID-19 to be low in B.C.
Due to facility closures, a number of items will be addressed including:
· Refunds will be provided for cancelled programs, and facility passes and memberships will be extended for the duration of the closure
· Cleaning schedule will be increased in public spaces with a concentration on high touch surfaces, and additional hand sanitizing stations will be added
· Child care and camp program participants may need to enter through a specified entrance.
City Hall and the City’s Operations Works Yard remain open for business and continue to offer City services, as are Richmond Fire-Rescue and Richmond RCMP.
The City is monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and is preparing plans if further action is necessary. Updates will be provided and communicated widely as the situation continues to evolve.
For specific City of Richmond information, visit the City’s website at www.richmond.ca or email info@richmond.ca or call 604-276-4000 (8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday).
Additional resources
Please continue to seek information from credible sources only.
Public health authority websites
· BC Centre for Disease Control
· HealthLink BC Coronavirus (COVID-19)
· HealthLink BC Influenza (Flu) Season
· 8-1-1 toll-free in BC, or call 7-1-1 for the deaf and the hard of hearing toll-free in BC
· 1-888-covid19 for Service BC for non-health related questions
City of Richmond
Businesses