COVID-19 risk remains low if you’re vigilant, says mayor
Mayor Colin Basran assured residents the risk of catching the novel coronavirus in Kelowna is still low.
However, he listed a number of caveats required to keep it that way.
“Be vigilant, but also remember the risk is low if you take the necessary precautions,” the mayor said at Monday afternoon’s regular city council meeting.
Some of those precautions include proper hygiene (the regular, thorough washing of hands that you’ve heard about a hundred times by now), so-called social distancing, self-isolation if you’re sick or have arrived from an international destination and not travelling unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Supporting those in self-isolation is also important.
Basran suggested that people who aren’t in self-isolation offer to pick up groceries or other essentials for someone they know who is in quarantine.
The mayor started his comments by acknowledging there’s a lot of anxiety in the community.
“I assure you our top priority is the health, safety and well-being of the public and our employees,” he said.
“We have, and will continue, to follow the advice of the B.C. medical health officer with regards to city services and facilities.”
That means City Hall and most city operations, such as the Parkinson Recreation Centre, parks and Kelowna airport, remain open.
Those facilities are being cleaned rigorously, but social distancing is still being urged. Go about your business, but keep your distance from others, and try not to touch people and common surfaces.
The goal is to prevent the spread of the virus so the number of people requiring urgent medical attention doesn’t overwhelm the health-care system.
The city has formed a critical incident response team to make sure Kelowna can take action quickly on any public health mandates.
Contingency planning is also underway in case a large number of city staff become ill and have to go into self-quarantine.
The city is committed to maintain essential services such as water treatment, waste-water treatment and emergency services.
The city will also adhere to the new provincial government rule to cancel all gatherings of 50 or more people.
Kelowna International Airport has increased screening of passengers.
The closure of the border to many foreign visitors doesn’t affect YLW for now because flights are still allowed between Canada and the United States, Mexico and Caribbean.
Kelowna’s airport has flights to and from Seattle, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Cuba, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun.