COVID-19 Update May 19

COVID-19 Update May 19, 2020:

đź“Š There are two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in BC. There are a total of 2,446 cases in BC. Of these, there are currently 325 active cases. There are 1,196 cases in the Fraser Health region.

âś… More than 250,000 eligible front-line workers will receive temporary pandemic pay, a lump-sum payment of about $4 per hour for a 16-week period, starting on March 15, 2020. Eligible workers will receive the payment directly through their employer and do not need to apply. For more information on COVID-19 pandemic pay, please visit: www.gov.bc.ca/pandemicpay

đź”´ I am very sad to announce that three more people have passed away due to COVID-19 in BC. I wish to extend my condolences to their families, communities, and caregivers as they grieve the loss of a loved one.

âš  WorkSafe BC has released Phase 2 re-opening guidelines for safety plans for the following sectors:
• restaurants, cafes and pubs;
• salons and personal services;
• museums, art galleries and libraries, real estate;
• education;
• health services;
• retail;
• in-person counselling;
• parks and outdoor spaces; and
• office space.

Businesses are expected to develop a safety plan outlining how they will reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. For more information please visit: https://www.worksafebc.com/…/covid-19-returning-safe-operat…

For businesses affected by Provincial Health Orders, you can check when orders are lifted at this link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/…/current…/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

More information will be available in the coming days.

💻 Join me and the CEO of Small Business BC tomorrow at 10AM for a Virtual Café Q&A hosted by the Mission Chamber of Commerce. You can sign-up for the event and submit your questions at this link: https://business.missionchamber.bc.ca/…/virtual-coffee-netw…

🖥 On Friday May 22 at 7:15 I will be joined by Coquitlam – Burke Mountain MLA Joan Isaacs, the CEO of Fraser Health Dr. Victoria Lee and Fraser Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Martin Lavoie to answer your health-care related questions.
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/683426075813566/

Dr. Henry today had a message for employees, customers, and business owners – we would not be easing these restrictions if we did not think we could do so safely. We can re-open our province, but we must take it slowly, and be thoughtful and cautious. Businesses need to follow the guidelines provided by WorkSafe BC and businesses must have a safety plan in place. Remember to keep “few faces in large spaces”.

Everyday we must all pause and think about how we are going to keep our families, communities, and ourselves safe.

Be safe. Be well.

BC Government News: Joint statement on Province of B.C.’s COVID-19 response, latest updates.

For more information on Provincial government supports, please visit this link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support