COVID-19 Response

Public attendance is permitted in person subject to room capacity. Guests may be asked to remain in the lobby until their item is discussed if there is not enough room. Masks are required in Municipal Hall. The public may also call 236-583-2002 to speak during Public Comment or to an item where public comment is permitted. Applicants or representatives for items on the meeting agenda may attend the meeting in person or through electronic participation, which will be coordinated with staff prior to the meeting.

To watch the livestream, click the link under the Video heading on the Council Meeting Calendar.  PLEASE NOTE the livestream button will only be visible once the livestream has started.  Following the meeting, the Video link will direct you to the recording.

More information about vaccination clinic locations and answers to questions you may have: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/covid-19-vaccines/

Recreation programs including adult sports and fitness classes may be impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and public health orders. View the Activity Guide for the latest information, or call 250-766-5650.

Yes.  When in person classes were suspended in the Spring, some of the fitness instructors recorded work out programs and presented online classes to keep participants active.  Here are the links to those classes that you might enjoy trying again: 

Lake Country Yoga enthusiasts: check out this video link to participate from home in a 30 minute class by recreation program instructor Eva Hartmann. It's based on what she does regularly in the Flow Classes on Wednesday evenings at Beasley (beginners to moderate students).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3asAVkyVqU.

Here is the same class in a version WITH music  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtdu1Aff08U

Enjoy a quick Afternoon Boost with Ali Mayo’s latest Yoga video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A07chngfB6I

Kiarra Watson offers Bootcamp classes via Zoom:

April 6 class recorded for anytime access: 

https://us04web.zoom.us/rec/share/6p1tA-jS63JLGLPRy2_tdI4hB7jFaaa81HIfqPIJzxuI6FSSl1SU9qFD7XMSl_c3

April 1 class recorded for anytime access:  

https://us04web.zoom.us/rec/share/6PBpNJjO7XlIG4n8smbEAJcxAoHqeaa80SMa-Ptcn0z7fomjM-BTDDncHsQTejyM

March 30 class recorded for anytime access: https://us04web.zoom.us/rec/share/9OJaCYPV90hIR6PfuFjSXLI_A97oaaa81nVM_fYOzEtJv99dyXsHc9sKKAXOtuH- 

https://us04web.zoom.us/rec/share/-fJ0Eeuu90xOS4HT7B_8GbAOFYj0X6a8hChM-_MPmUu9E3Ia0msD7LudetDvnNbp?startTime=1585178981000

Enjoy Ali Mayo's March 24th Yoga class: https://youtu.be/d0YYgcnZsk0 

Here is a link to a children’s fitness class video by our Lake Country Yoga & Pl3y Kids Fitness Instructor, Christina Aaron. https://www.facebook.com/christina.aaron.18/videos/10163258139240125/

The expectation that a mask will be worn by all citizens, contractors and service providers visiting a District facility, is part of the enhanced safety protocol which already includes hand-sanitizing stations, physical distancing, directional signage and traffic flow, plexiglass barriers and reduced meeting room and Council Chamber occupancy.

Masks are required when entering public facilities and when moving through shared spaces like lobbies, hallways, as well as arena changerooms and spectator areas for one parent/care giver per participant. The occupancy of each building is determined by physical distancing requirements.

The District of Lake Country’s top priority is the health and safety of our citizens, visitors and employees.  In response to the COVID-19 situation in BC, the District has implemented updated measures to maintain municipal services, help contain the spread of infection in our community, and continue providing a healthy and safe work environment for our staff.

Please continue to stay home if you are sick or feeling unwell; avoid large gatherings; and keep 2 m apart from others that are not part of your household. The District continues to follow the lead of the Provincial Health Officer and work with Interior Health to address the COVID-19 situation locally. The enhancement to District COVID-19 safety protocols follows recent recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer around mask use in indoor public spaces.

Online: 

Property taxes can be paid using the online banking system through your financial institution from the comfort and safety of your home and device. Use your Roll number in the Account field, and choose Lake Country Property Taxes as the payee. 

Claim your eligible Home Owner Grant online here: https://secure.amaistech.com/ePAY-ePRINT/First?client=lakecountry 

Property taxes can be paid by credit card (+transaction fees) through the secure third party provider: Option Pay. Find out more: https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/en/living-in-our-community/online-payments.aspx

Drop box at Municipal Hall: 

Pay by post-dated cheque anytime using the drop box at the front door of Municipal Hall. If eligible for the Home Owner Grant, complete and sign the form on the bottom of your property tax notice and put it in an envelope and deposit in the drop box at the front door of Municipal Hall anytime. 

In Person:

Municipal Hall is open to the public 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday with an adjusted traffic flow and in-person customer service process to protect citizens and staff. We request all customers use the hand sanitizer provided on the table at the entrance and respect physical distancing to reduce transmission of Covid-19. Do not come in if you are sick or experiencing flu-like symptoms. The customer service counter is only able to serve one citizen at a time, so please be patient as you wait your turn. Make sure to complete and sign the Home Owner Grant portion of your property tax bill if you are eligible to claim it this year. 

Due Date: 

2020 Property tax due date has been moved forward to September 30, 2020 by 6:00 p.m. A 5% penalty will be applied after 6:00 p.m. September 30, 2020 on outstanding amounts (including unclaimed Home Owner Grants), and an additional 5% penalty will be applied after November 30, 2020 on the outstanding balance.  

Learn more: https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/en/living-in-our-community/taxes.aspx 

Unlike many other places that imposed strict “lockdown” policies, B.C.’s approach was to require safe operation of a broad range of services designated as essential services, to protect our health care system and maintain access to key services and supplies. Many non-essential businesses remained open, provided they could operate safely.

The Provincial Health Officer will continue to provide input and advice as needed throughout the review process.

In some instances, this will require consideration by the Provincial Health Officer of lifting or modifying existing orders before certain businesses re-open. Businesses and organizations that are not covered by a Provincial Health Officer order may re-open or continue to operate but they will be expected to adopt and implement sector safety plans are they are finalized. 

According to BC's Restart Plan: The risk of transmission at busy workplaces and other institutions is a direct function of two variables: the number of contacts (the number of people present at the same time) and the contact intensity (the type of contact ie. close or distant and the length of contact ie. brief or prolonged). These are factors that we can rate as low, medium and high risks.

Based on these factors, steps can be taken to reduce the risk, including:

• Physical distancing measures – measures to reduce the density of people
• Engineering controls – physical barriers (like plexiglass at checkouts) or increased ventilation
• Administrative controls – clear rules and guidelines
• Personal protective equipment – like the use of non-medical masks

These modifications and controls, combined with the following measures, can reduce the risk of transmission.

• Create clear workplace policies that ensure people with cold or flu symptoms do not come to work
• Implement sick day policies that allow people to be off or work safely from home when they are ill or have symptoms of a cold or flu
• Provide work from home options, when possible, to reduce contact intensity. When it’s not an option, consider measures such as staggered shifts and virtual meetings as much as possible
• Implement strategies that reduce the number and intensity of contacts – from greater use of non-medical masks to more checkouts and increased shopping hours
• Clean “high-touch” areas in workplaces and retail outlets frequently and provide hand sanitizer at entrances
• Focus on higher-risk employees including those over the age of 60 and those with underlying medical conditions – from more flexible hours, to work from home options and workspace accommodation

Additional measures specific to various organizational settings are being developed. More will be created as various sectors are engaged and industry or sector wide norms are adopted and required.

For employers and retailers seeking detailed information, please refer to the BC COVID-19 Go-Forward Management Strategy (PDF, 634KB) and the BC COVID-19 Go-Forward Management Checklist (PDF, 320KB), as well as resources from WorkSafeBC.

WorkSafeBC will work with employers and workers through educational materials, consultation, and workplace inspections to help them restart safely.

Employers will be required to:

• Review the new Health and Safety Guidelines, best practices and other resources from WorkSafeBC
• Adapt these materials into appropriate COVID-19 Safe Plans for your workplace

WorkSafeBC prevention officers can be reached by calling 1-888-621-7233 (1-888-621-SAFE) or 604-276-3100 (Lower Mainland), Monday to Friday between 8:05 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for non-urgent matters. 

Urgent matters, (including reports of unsafe work conditions and refusals of unsafe work), can be directed to the same numbers, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For general guidance and support, please contact the COVID-19 Provincial Orders Support Team (POST) Call Centre toll-free at 1-833-309-4631.

Concerns about non-compliance with PHO orders as they pertain to public health matters in work settings that are regulated by public health officers (e.g. food premises, personal services establishments, pools, and industrial camps, etc.) should continue to be directed to environmental health officers at the local level, who work for one of the five regional health authorities.  Contact Interior Health Authority via email: EPHonduty@interiorhealth.ca.

Protection of staff and the public is a priority.  While we recommend residents use online banking to pay water utility and tax bills from the safety and privacy of their home and device, Municipal Hall is now open with the following protocols currently in place:

• increased frequency of cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces
• physical distancing measures
• limited general public access to meet safe density guidelines
• advance appointments required (virtual appointments preferred)
• signage and demarcation of traffic flow inside the building
• hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.   

Yes. The District of Lake Country is using BC’s Restart Plan to help guide decisions around the timing and protocols for the reopening of municipal facilities including sport courts, parks amenities and public buildings.

During May 6th release of the four-phase approach, Premier Horgan emphasized steps to reopen facilities and activities across the province will be slow and deliberate, and group gatherings of 50 people or more will not be allowed for the foreseeable future.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC’s Provincial Health Officer, reiterated we must continue to practice physical distancing measures to protect our communities and healthcare system, so we don’t unravel the work we’ve done to contain the spread of Covid-19 over the last several weeks.

From the beginning of the District’s response to this pandemic, our priority has been on public safety. The actions of Lake Country citizens have allowed us to move forward with a cautious plan of reopening. View the Covid-19 Safety Plan for re-opening Municipal Hall. 

The District of Lake Country is developing a plan to re-open Municipal Hall and various other community facilities in conjunction with the Restart Plan announced by the Province of BC.  Subscribe to Community News and Public Notifications to get announcements direct to your email inbox; and follow District of Lake Country Facebook page to be alerted as the plan evolves. 

BC’s Restart Plan lays out a series of steps that we will take together to protect people and ensure that our province can come back from COVID-19 stronger than before:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/bc-restart-plan

There are many questions the Federal government has addressed with regard to the temporary foreign worker program which is used by a number of agricultural operations throughout the Okanagan. For answers to many of your questions, please see the linked webpage intended to complement existing guidance to employers (published March 27, 2020), as well as information for travellers to Canada. Learn more: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/employer-compliance/covid-faq.html

Additionally, the Province of BC has developed recommendations for all farms to meet the orders, notices, and guidance issued by British Columbia’s Provincial Health Officer and additional MANDATORY requirements for farms employing Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) and domestic workers. The mandatory requirements apply to workers in B.C. under the Seasonal Agriculture Program (SAWP) and the Agriculture Stream (AgStream) programs.

See the details: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-guidance-farms-farm-workers.pdf

As phrases like “Social Distancing and “Physical Distancing” become part of our everyday vocabulary, the discussion of who is responsible for enforcing distancing measures has been a topic of conversation throughout all communities. Distancing is a behaviour that is difficult to enforce, or police, and must be done through education resulting in the person practising distancing measures for the right reasons.

The District of Lake Country Bylaw Enforcement team consists of one full time officer who is on duty Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Beginning April 16th two seasonal officers will be joining the department and will provide additional support Thursday through Monday from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.

If you have a concern, contact Bylaw Enforcement at 250.766.6673 or use the online "Report a Problem" system through  lakecountry.bc.ca. Concerns related to community members not adhering to physical distancing recommendations or usage of public spaces, will result in a bylaw officer explaining and trying to educate individuals about why physical distancing is important. Distancing is voluntary and cannot be enforced. If you observe groups of 50 or more or know of someone in the community who has returned from outside of the Country and are not self-isolating, please contact Bylaw Enforcement. Officers will support Interior Health by issuing formal warnings and contacting Interior Health when ongoing non-compliance continues to occur.

Last week a ban was put on campfires as well as open burning. To report a fire call 250.766.2327.

Continuing to stay home and take individual action on the advice being given by Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, is crucial as we all continue to do our part in flattening the curve.  

Have there been any lay offs or changes to District staffing levels? 

The District of Lake Country took a proactive approach and did an essential services and staff skills audit in early March. Many municipalities have been forced to lay off workers while spring programs are postponed and facilities are closed, but Lake Country does not employ any permanent part-time recreation program, parks or facilities staff like other communities.

A review of contracts and project plans has been done to ensure both fiscal responsibility in the use of tax dollars and senior government grants along with timelines for project delivery so as not to incur additional costs.  As many are aware, Council made a decision to terminate the Visitor Services contract for 2020.

Hiring has been suspended for new positions and will be reassessed at a later time.  Staff resources have been reallocated where needed to ensure continuity and fiscal effectiveness in delivery of essential services to the community. 

The summer student hiring was able to proceed since their wages are 100% covered by the Federal Government as part of the Covid-19 supports in place, and the District has instituted safe distancing practices in the workplace.

Where can I find the orders from the provincial health officer?

For up-to-date information on Waste Management visit the RDCO website

How do I report a problem/request service? 

To let us know about a municipal service issue you have experienced, or observed firsthand, please use the online Report a Problem/Request Service form so we can address the issue as soon as possible and track the response.  Thank you for your patience as it may take longer than usual to respond due to reduced staff levels available. 

https://forms.lakecountry.bc.ca/Administration/Report-a-Problem 

Where can I get accurate information about COVID-19?

For up-to-date non-health information, call 1 888 COVID-19 or visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support

For recommendations on protecting yourself and your community, including for employers, businesses, schools and those planning events of less than 50, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel) 

For common questions about COVID-19 and terminology, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/common-questions

For the COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and planning materials, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/pandemic-influenza

Is the government providing any financial relief or resources to citizens? 

Yes. 

To learn more about Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html

For information on B.C.’s COVID Action Plan and other government resources and updates, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19