COVID-19 SUMMARY OF PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS & GOV’T ANNOUNCEMENTS – April 24

HEALTH CARE

• Scheduled elective surgeries and procedures are being postponed.
•  COVID-19 testing criteria changes regularly. Take the online self-assessment or call 8-1-1 if you have symptoms to check whether you should be tested.
• Workers and volunteers in long-term care may no longer work at multiple facilities.!!
• Visitor restrictions are in place for all Vancouver Coastal Health facilities, including hospitals, long-term care, assisted living sites, community health centres and clinics. For those living in other health authority areas, check online before you go.
• Parking at all health authority owned/operated health care sites is now free.
• Choose virtual health care services whenever available, physicians will be compensated.
• Physician notes are NOT required for prescription refills by pharmacists.
• Dentists should be providing emergency services only at this time. Services available from other regulated health care professionals (RMT, physiotherapy, chiropractic, etc) may also be limited at this time.
• MSP coverage wait times are waived for those who have been out of province and returned.
• Safe prescription alternatives to the illegal drug supply available to people who use substances.

HOUSING

• Immediate halt on all evictions, except for extreme case involving safety concerns and court-ordered evictions. View Q&As here.
• Freeze on rental rates. No rent increases are allowed in BC, effective April 1. View Q&As here.
• Landlords may now restrict use of common areas by tenants or guests.
• Landlords may not enter tenants’ homes without their expressed consent, unless there is a clear threat to people or property.
• Strata councils may meet virtually during COVID-19.
• Click here to see personal supports available to you.

TRANSPORTATION

• Auto insurance
  —–Renew auto insurance by email or phone.
  —–Remote extensions for driver licensing available. All requests for medical information temporarily postponed. Call 1-800-950-1498.
• BC Ferries: Substantial service reductions in effect.  Passengers with COVID-19 symptoms will not be permitted to board. Passengers may stay inside their vehicles the entire trip; on board food service is minimal; avoid non-essential travel.
• BC Transit, TransLink: Rear door, fare-free boarding on all buses. Those with accessibility needs can still load at front. Service reductions may be in effect, check before you go.
• All commercial marine vessels with a capacity of more than 12 passengers are prohibited from engaging in non-essential activities, such as tourism or recreation. Ferries and essential passenger vessels must operate at 50% capacity at most.
• Click here to see personal supports available to you.

RETAIL SERVICES

• Do not use reusable bags or containers when shopping.
• Sale of bulk foods are prohibited, except those dispensed via gravity feed bins, or where staff dispense the bulk items.
• The resale of food, medical supplies, personal protective equipment, cleaning products and other essential supplies is prohibited.
• BC Liquor Stores will stay open, though on reduced hours.
• Private retail wine and liquor stores may now operate between 7am-11pm.
• Restaurants are open for pick-up/delivery service only.!! Liquor products may be delivered with meals for pick-up/delivery using staff with Serving-It-Right certification.
•  Liquor distilleries are now permitted to produce alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Only food vendors are allowed at “farmers markets” or “community markets”. !! Online farmer’s markets opening soon.
• By public health order, the following are closed throughout BC:
  —–Personal service establishments, such as salons, spas, massage, tattoo parlours, etc.!!
  —–Casinos.!!
  —–Liquor-primary establishments, such as bars and clubs.!!
• Read more: Essential Services List
• Read more: Guidance to retail food & grocery stores

GOVERNMENT SERVICES

• BC Service Centres will stay open, but the first hour of service is dedicated to seniors and other vulnerable people. You can also call for service: 1-800-663-7867.
• In-Person Canada Service Centres are now closed. Apply for benefits online.
•  bc211 is now also available to match volunteers with seniors in need of help with groceries, etc. Call 2-1-1 or visit online.
• Limitation periods to commence court proceedings have been suspended.
  
• Civil Resolution Tribunal deadlines extended; fees waived for those struggling financially
• Click here to see personal supports available to you.

RECREATION & OUTDOORS

• Restrictions on open burning activities in effect. Read more.
• Community centres, playgrounds, and sports fields may be closed. Check before you go.
• Parks Canada: Visitor services at all national parks and historic sites are closed.  Camping, group activities and events at all national parks, national historic sites, heritage canals and national marine conservation areas are suspended until at least May 31, 2020.
• BC Parks: are all closed.
• All campgrounds are closed.
• BC Summer Games has been cancelled.
• Read more: In-province travel restrictions

CHILDREN, YOUTH & STUDENTS

• In-class instruction is suspended at all K-12 schools, but continuous learning is available.
• All parents who can, should care for their children at home. This makes it easier for providers to follow enhanced preventative health measures.
• Enhanced government funding is available for child care providers that stay open and that close.
• Providers receiving enhanced government funding (above) cannot charge parent fees for any periods of closure or for vacant spaces and must reserve spaces for families. Check with your provider to see if they are in this program. (Effective April 2020)
• Click here for personal supports available to you.
• Read More: BC Government COVID-19 child care supports

LABOUR & INDUSTRY

• Employers cannot require a doctors notes or testing for people to stay home from work.!!
• All businesses must adjust their operations to meet social distancing orders and should implement enhanced cleaning, or close.!!
• All workplaces must ensure a safe environment for their workers and customers.
• Workers may take unpaid, job-protected leave if they are unable to work for reasons relating to COVID-19, retroactive to Jan 27, 2020.
• Workers now have three days of unpaid, job-protected leave each year for people who cannot work due to illness or injury. This is a permanent change.
  
• BC Hydro is halting all service disconnections for non-payment of bills.
• Companies looking to offer support or supplies to help with the fight against COVID-19 can do so through the COVID-19 Supplier Hub.
  
• New Provincial Health work order for Industrial Camps – employers, co-ordinators &  workers
• Click here for financial supports: Employment & Income Assistance.
• Click here for financial supports: Businesses.
• Read more: Guidance for active construction sites
• Read more: Guidance for manufacturers
• Read more: Guidance for mining and smelting
• Read more: Guidelines industrial camps
• Read more: Guidelines for farmers and farm workers

TRAVEL & BORDERS

• Canadians currently abroad are strongly advised to return to Canada now while they are still able. Call 1-613-996-8885 or email sos@international.gc.ca for assistance.
• All Canadian borders are closed to non-essential travellers who are not Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents and their immediate family.
• Reduction in service at Canadian land border crossings in effect.
• Avoid all non-essential travel.
• Anyone exhibiting symptoms will be actively refused boarding onto all aircraft and trains, including for travel within Canada.
• All international flights (including from the USA) entering British Columbia will be restricted to YVR only.
• Travellers entering the country must self-isolate for fourteen days.!! Violations carry a maximum fine of $750,000 and 6 months in jail.
  
• Click here for financial supports re: travel.