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Response to COVID-19

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The COVID-19 virus situation has taken a nasty turn in the last few days since originally posting and new restrictions and recommendations are now being made. Please take the time to educate yourself on this virus. I will update as new information pertinent to our communities is made available from reliable government sources.

What You Can Do

You can reduce your risk of contracting the virus or passing it on to others in the community with the following hygiene habits:

  • Frequent hand washing or the use of hand sanitizer
  • Not touching your face
  • Coughing or sneezing into your elbow or tissue, followed by hand washing
  • Social distancing and staying away from crowded areas
  • Staying home if you feel sick or show any symptoms of the virus

Get informed on latest COVID-19 information by visiting reliable information sources like:

Here is a link to a Canadian Government Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update page with information, history and current status across Canada and the rest of the world.

Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Dashboard

Updates

April 17 2020 – Here is the Media coverage of the North Westside Fire/Rescue issue to provide a safe isolation area for firefighters exposed to the COVID19 virus.

Castanet.net  John Lawless  April 16 • 4:00 AM North Westside Fire hopes to get safe house during pandemic

Vernon Morning Star  Caitlin Clow  Yesterday • 2:30 PM  (Capital News, Lake Country Calendar) – COVID-19: Okanagan firefighters await news on potential self-isolation house (grand gesture, but the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) was standing in the way.)

The first documentary movie on CCP virus, Tracking Down the Origin of the Wuhan Coronavirus was an interesting watch. This documentary was premiered on April 7 2020 and follows one perspective on how this pandemic evolved and caused the world wide response to the crisis that is life today.

April 1, 2020 – Here is some information from BC Hydro on their response to COVID-19 and your bill. I believe that most or all of EA West are BC Hydro customers.

Dear Mayor and Council,

First off, thank you for all that you and your staff are doing to help get us all through this difficult time. I want to provide you with an update on how BC Hydro is responding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Relief Fund
Today we introduced a new COVID-19 Relief Fund to help customers who are facing financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 Relief Fund program provides bill relief for eligible customers:

• Residential customers that have lost their income as a result of COVID-19 will be able to apply for a bill credit of three times their average monthly bill.
• Small business customers that are currently closed as a result of COVID-19 measures can apply to have their electricity use charges waived for up to three months.
• In addition, eligible large industrial customers can apply to defer payment of 50% of their electricity use charges for three months.

The application form and more information on the COVID-19 Relief Fund will be available next week at bchydro.com/covid19relief. Customers will have until June 30, 2020 to apply.

The COVID-19 Relief Fund is the latest in a series of measures BC Hydro has taken to help support its customers through this challenging period, including:

• The COVID-19 Customer Assistance Program which allows residential and business customers, who are experiencing financial hardship during the Coronavirus outbreak, the option of deferring bill payments or arranging for flexible payment plans with no penalty. Customers are encouraged to call our customer service team at 1 800 BCHYDRO (1 800 224 9376) to discuss bill payment options;
• Suspending disconnections for non-payment; and
• Suspending non-urgent planned power outages that would impact our residential customers in recognition that our customers are spending more time at home, and many are working from home.

Effective today, electricity rates will decrease by 1% following BC Hydro’s update to its Revenue Rate Application that was approved by the BC Utilities Commission.

In addition, some residential customers facing temporary hardship due to job loss, illness, or loss of a family member may also be eligible for our Customer Crisis Fund which provides a grant of up to $600 to help with their electricity bill.

Staying safe and adjusting operations to maintain reliable supply

We recognize the critical role we have in the province to deliver safe and reliable power, and we implemented precautionary measures early on to help prevent cases of COVID-19 at our facilities, and among our employees.

Where possible, we have staff working from home. We’ve also adjusted our operations to focus on critical work and taken steps to ensure our frontline crews remain healthy and able to respond should we face emergency situations.

New customer connections and reconnections will continue through our normal processes; however, optional upgrades or alterations will not be completed at this time.

We continue to monitor the situation closely and will implement new measures as required.

Sincerely,
Dag
________________________________________________________
Dag Sharman | Community Relations Manager, Thompson, Okanagan, Columbia Region, Communications

BC Hydro
1401 Kalamalka Lake Road,
Vernon, BC V1T8S

bchydro.com
Smart about power in all we do.

COVID-19 Relief Fund – Fact Sheet

April 1, 2020
BC Hydro recognizes the financial impacts the COVID-19 pandemic is having on its customers. In order to support our customers during this time, BC Hydro has created the COVID-19 Relief Fund.

The COVID-19 Relief Fund program provides targeted bill relief for eligible residential and small business customers:
 Residential customers that have lost their income as a result of COVID-19 will be able to apply for a bill credit of three times their average monthly bill.
 Small business customers that are currently closed as a result of COVID-19 measures can apply to have their electricity use charges waived for up to three months.

In addition, eligible large industrial customers can apply to defer payment of 50% of their electricity use charges for three months.

When does the program start, and how do customers apply?
 Eligible residential customers will be able to apply for the COVID-19 Relief Fund starting April 10 and small business customers will be able to apply online starting the week of April 14.
 Customers have until June 30, 2020 to apply for bill relief.
 For further details on the COVID-19 Relief Fund and to access the online application form, please visit bchydro.com/covid19relief.

Residential customers

Who is eligible?
 Applicants must be a BC Hydro account holder prior to March 15, 2020.
 For residential customers, the account holder or partner/spouse must provide proof of loss of income, or they are unable to work due to COVID-19.
 This includes:
o workers, including the self-employed, who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19; and,
o parents with children who require care or supervision due to school or daycare closures, and are unable to earn employment income (EI), irrespective of whether they qualify for EI or not.

How much will the average residential customer receive?
 The amount received will be based on the individual customer’s average monthly bill amount over the past 12-months (or the amount of time they have been at their premise if less than 12 months).
o For the average apartment dweller, this is around $135.
o For the average single-family home, this is around $335.
Fact sheet
Fact sheet

How is this program different from the Customer Crisis Fund?
 This program focuses on helping customers experiencing loss of income as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 The Customer Crisis Fund is offered year-round and was created for residential customers that are facing a significant financial hardship and possible disconnection of their service due to a life crisis such as job loss, injury, illness or loss of a family member.
 Some customers that are eligible for the relief under the COVID-19 Relief Fund may also be eligible to access grants of up to $600 through our Customer Crisis Fund to help cover arrears incurred prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
How is this program different from the COVID-19 Customer Assistance Program?
 On March 13, BC Hydro introduced the COVID-19 Customer Assistance Program to provide all residential and commercial customers the option to defer payments, or arrange a flexible payment plan to help pay their BC Hydro bills.
 All residential and commercial customers are eligible and can make individual payment arrangements with our customer team.
 Customers can call 1-800-BCHYDRO (1-800-224-9376) to discuss their options.

Small businesses

What businesses are eligible?
 Business customers must be a business account holder under the Small General Service Rate prior to March 15, 2020.
 Customers must show they are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, either ordered by government or due to reduced transactions/revenues or employee safety protection, but continue to have an active BC Hydro account and consume electricity.

How much will the average small business customer receive?
 Small business customers that have closed their business as a result of COVID-19 will be able to apply to have their electricity costs waived for up to three months.
 Savings will depend on the size and type of the business as well as how it is heated.

 

MEDIA – Mar 23, 2020

AM 1150 – iHeartRadio.ca  6:06 AM RDCO Office Closed, Essential Services Continue

Global News  Doyle Potenteau  Mar 21 • 12:55 PM  (also KelownaNow, Daily Courier, Castanet, InfoNews) Coronavirus: Central Okanagan regional district suspends access to play structures in parks

RDCO News Releases

March 20, 2020

RDCO Suspends Play Structure Access

 In order to help ‘flatten the curve’ and reduce the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus, the RDCO is suspending access to all play structures in its regional and community parks.

Closure signs are being posted and as available and appropriate, fencing will be installed around play equipment.

The action is not taken lightly, especially since many parents are looking for opportunities to have their children outside and active.

The Province’s Chief Medical Health Officer issued clear directives that playgrounds are not suitable environments for social distancing and make it difficult to curb the spread of the virus.  In addition, play structures and equipment are very hard to sanitize and keep clean.

The Regional District and health officials do encourage people to get outside, exercise and get some fresh air using social distancing practices: keeping two metres of space between themselves and others.

The RDCO continues to provide regular maintenance and operations for its 30 regional and 20 community parks.  Information is available anytime online at rdco.com/pickapark.

For updates on the RDCO Response to COVID-19 visit rdco.com/covid-19.

March 19, 2020

RDCO Office Closed, Essential Services Continue

The Regional District of Central Okanagan is suspending in person services from its KLO Road office in Kelowna in support of health authorities to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The office will be closed to the public at 1:00 pm today.

Residents can access information about RDCO programs and services by visiting rdco.com.   Staff will also be available by phone at 250-763-4918 or by email. Responses will be provided as quickly as possible during regular business hours, weekdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Residents and businesses may also keep their accounts current and make payments online at rdco.com/payments.

The public Regional Board meeting scheduled for Monday evening at 7:00 pm is going ahead with social distancing measures in place.  The Regional Board Procedures Bylaw allows for electronic participation of Directors.  Regional Directors will consider adopting the 2020-2024 Financial Plan.  The Agenda and reports for consideration at this meeting will be available online Friday afternoon.

During this emergency, the RDCO will continue to provide essential services:

  • Curbside garbage and recycling
  • Solid waste transfer stations (North Westside, Traders Cove, Westside Residential Waste Disposal and Recycling Centre)
  • Water systems (Falcon Ridge, Killiney Beach, Upper Fintry-Shalal Rd.-Valley of the Sun, Sunset Ranch, Trepanier/Star Place, Westshore Estates)
  • Fire Services (Ellison, Joe Rich, North Westside, Wilson’s Landing)
  • Dog Control and Regional Dog Pound
  • Westside Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant and RDCO sewer collection system

At the direction of the Province to suspend events over 50 people, the RDCO is cancelling the following Regional Waste Reduction Office events:

  • April’s Community Clean Up Month
  • Spring Trunk Sale

Information for the following agencies located in the RDCO office can be made by:

  • Regional District of Central Okanagan –

Phone: 250-763-4918 email: info@rdco.com   website: rdco.com

  • City of Kelowna KLO Community Policing Office
    Phone:  250-470-0600
  • Okanagan Basin Water Board
    Phone: 250-469-6270 website: obwb.ca/contact/
  • Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program
    Phone: 250-718-4096 email:  occp123@gmail.com   website: okcp.ca
  • Okanagan Film Commission
    Phone: 250-717-0087 email: info@okanaganfilm.com   website:  okanaganfilm.com
  • Sterile Insect Release Program
    Phone: 800-363-6684 email: sirinfo@oksir.org   website: oksir.org

The Regional District continues to follow the direction of public health experts for the safety of its staff and residents to reduce the impact on our community and our health system.  For updates on the RDCO Response to COVID-19 visit rdco.com/covid-19.

March 17, 2020

RDCO makes changes to reduce spread of COVID-19

The Regional District is supporting the effort to reduce spread of COVID19 by closing some public facilities and suspending some programs and events.

Based on the latest recommendations of public health officials, effective 5:00 pm today and until further notice the following RDCO facilities will be closed to the public:

  • The Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan
  • The Westside Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Joe Rich Community Hall
  • Ellison Heritage School Community Hall
  • Killiney Beach Hall & Library

All Regional Parks programs and events, as well as bookings in parks facilities are cancelled until further notice. This includes programs like the Spring Break Nature Detectives Camps, Tracks Walking Clubs, Take a Hike and Wild Walks. Programs and events with fees will have the full amount refunded.

Currently, all Regional and RDCO Community Parks remain open for visitors to enjoy our natural surroundings.  For the safety of everyone using our outdoor park areas, please practice social distancing to help reduce any potential spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Although the services provided from the RDCO office at 1450 KLO Road in Kelowna remain open to the public, we encourage people to access information by visiting our website rdco.com.   Staff may be contacted by phone or by email.  Residents and businesses may also keep their accounts current and make payments online at rdco.com/payments.

The Regional District continues to follow the direction of public health experts for the safety of its staff and residents to reduce the impact on our community and our health system.  For updates on the RDCO Response to COVID-19 visit rdco.com/covid-19.

What You Can Do

You can reduce your risk of contracting the virus or passing it on to others in the community with the following hygiene habits:

  • Frequent hand washing or the use of hand sanitizer
  • Not touching your face
  • Coughing or sneezing into your elbow or tissue, followed by hand washing
  • Social distancing and staying away from crowded areas
  • Staying home if you feel sick or show any symptoms of the virus

Get informed on latest COVID-19 information by visiting reliable information sources like:

March 16, 2020

Media: AM 1150

RDCO Response to COVID-19

The situation with the COVID-19 virus is rapidly evolving in British Columbia. The safety of our residents and staff is our primary concern and the Regional District of Central Okanagan is carefully monitoring changing conditions. We are following the direction of our public health experts from Interior Health, the BC Centre for Disease Control, the BC Ministry of Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

We are providing updated information on the impact on our programs and services at rdco.com/covid-19.

In light of today’s updated Provincial ban on gatherings of 50 or more people, the RDCO is postponing the upcoming Repair Café.  The event was scheduled for Saturday, March 28 in the Trades building at the Kelowna campus of Okanagan College.

Nature Detectives Spring Break Camps are still being held at the EECO and in Mission Creek Regional Park as social distancing is being used and activities are outdoors.  Parents should be aware that the camp program may change on short notice depending on the latest public health decisions.  Participants in other outdoor activities such as Wild Walks, Take a Hike, Roll and Stroll and Tracks Walking Clubs are also using social distancing.

What We’re Doing

At this time our facilities remain open with staff available to help you in person, by phone or by email.  Information on our services is always available online (rdco.com) and payments may also be made at rdco.com/payments.

To keep our staff and visitors to our facilities healthy, we have instituted the following measures:

  • Increased daily cleaning of shared surfaces
  • Additional tissues and hand sanitizers around our public facilities
  • Asking staff and visitors to follow personal hygiene measures including washing hands
  • Increasing social distancing
  • Requesting staff and visitors to stay home if not feeling well

What You Can Do

You can reduce your risk of contracting the virus or passing it on to others in the community with the following hygiene habits:

  • Frequent hand washing or the use of hand sanitizer
  • Not touching your face
  • Coughing or sneezing into your elbow or tissue, followed by hand washing
  • Social distancing and staying away from crowded areas
  • Staying home if you feel sick or show any symptoms of the virus

Get informed on latest COVID-19 information by visiting reliable information sources like:

Mar 13 • 6:17 PM  Kelowna Daily Courier  Just about everything’s cancelled (for Monday at the Wilson’s Landing Fire Department has been cancelled.)

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