COVID-19

covid facilities and services update button

The District of Squamish is working to share information and operational updates as we support efforts to slow transmission of COVID-19 and help keep our community healthy. We are following the recommendations of British Columbia's Ministry of Health and Vancouver Coastal Health. 

Helpful Links:

 

Where to get tested in Squamish: 

Squamish General Hospital COVID-19 Testing Centre 
Address: 8140 Behrner Drive
Hours: Open 24/7 

Appointment not required. 

 

The District of Squamish is developing and executing plans to evolve our operations in line with the BC Restart Plan. It’s important to note that many District services have continued to operate, but without front counter service. Parks and trails have remained open on District land.

The Province’s Phase 3 was in place June 24, 2020.  

BC's Restart Plan

BC's Restart Plan was announced May 6, 2020

Learn about the four phases toward a 'new normal'. 

 

Current Health Authority recommendations:

  • Stay informed, be prepared and follow public health advice
  • Practice good hygiene 
    • Frequent hand washing
    • Avoid touching face
    • Cough into your sleeve
    • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
  • Stay at home and away from others if you’re feeling ill
    • Don’t go to school or work sick
  • Maintain physical distancing outside your household 
    • No handshaking or hugging
    • Small numbers of contacts 
    • Keep a safe distance
    • Clean your home and workspace more often
  • Consider using non-medical masks when physical distancing isn’t possible
    • On transit
    • Shopping
  • In personal settings when seeing friends and family who don’t live with you:
    • Only get together in small groups and keep a physical distance
    • Stay home and away from others if you have cold or flu symptoms

If you are at greater risk (over the age of 60 or with underlying medical conditions), be informed of your risk, think through your risk tolerance and take extra precautions.

  

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Have symptoms? Get tested for COVID-19

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) expanded access to COVID-19 testing in late April. Anyone in the VCH region with cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms, however mild, can now be assessed for and get a COVID-19 test. Testing can be done through a primary care provider, walk-in clinic, urgent and primary care centre or community collection centre. 

Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses including the common cold. They include: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, painful swallowing, loss of sense of smell, headache, muscle aches, fatigue or loss of appetite.

COVID-19 testing is not recommended for people without symptoms.

Contact your physician or nurse practitioner’s office, or a local community collection centre to arrange for a test. Phone numbers and locations of collection centre can be found here or by calling 8-1-1. 

More information: www.vch.ca/COVID19.

  

Watch: Mayor Karen Elliott checks in with Squamish as we transition to September, and the new complexities of this upcoming season  (October 9, 2020).

 

Recent District of Squamish Updates

 Follow us on Twitter @Squamishtown and Facebook for updates as they happen. 

  

Resources for Businesses

Please visit the Resources for Business page.

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Stay informed through official information sources on COVID 19

Resources

  • Employment Insurance and Emergency Benefits

    The federal government has announced an emergency benefits package to help affected Canadians. The measures include changes to Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Student Loans, Passport Services and more. To learn more about these measures, please visit the COVID-19 Employment and Social Development Canada website.

    An Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit for those affected by COVID-19 but who don't qualify for EI, are not able to work and don't have sick leave has also been announced. To learn more about available support options, visit the Government of Canada COVID-19 Economic Response Plan website.

  • BC Temporary Rental Supplement

    Providing up to $500 a month to help renters and landlords during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Program Overview
    As part of the province’s $5 billion action plan, the BC Temporary Rental Supplement Program gives tenants and landlords temporary support towards rent payments for renters impacted by COVID-19. Payments are made directly to the landlords of eligible households.

    This new program will provide a temporary rental supplement for April, May and June 2020. It will cover part of the rent for low- and moderate-income renters who have lost income as a result of COVID-19. Applicants will only have to apply once. If they apply in April, they will get payments for all three month. If they apply in May, they will get payments for the two remaining months. It is expected that the first payments will be provided before the end of April.

    The program gives $300 per month for eligible households with no dependents, and $500 per month for eligible households with dependents.

    Visit the BC Housing website for details.

  • Seniors Support
    New seniors support programs have been launched by the province to address immediate needs of seniors staying at home during COVID-19. 
     
    Seniors who need support, and healthy individuals who wish to volunteer can call 2-1-1 to access the service, or visit http://www.bc211.ca.
  • Mental Health

    Visit the Mental Health section of the Vancouver Coastal Health website for "Five steps to manage COVID-19 stress, anxiety and depression. 

     

    April 9: New virtual mental health supports for COVID-19 on the way

    To ensure British Columbians have increased access to vital mental health supports during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Province has announced $5 million to expand existing mental health programs and services and launch new services to support British Columbians.

    Enhanced virtual services will help all British Columbians with mental health needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on adults, youth and front-line health care workers. The funding will also increase access for Indigenous communities and those living in rural and remote parts of the province. It will provide more options for people living with mental health challenges who are currently unable to access in-person supports.

    Existing services are being scaled up rapidly to meet increased need while new services are being implemented. Several services are available and online, while others will come online April 20, 2020. See the backgrounder below for details.

    View the full release. 

  • How to make a doctor's appointment

    The local health community has shared the following information as medical practitioners adapt to new ways of seeing patients in Squamish for non COVID-19 related issues. 

    If you seek medical care in our community, please do the following:

    - Diamond Head Medical Clinic: 604.892.3544
    - Elaho Medical Clinic: 604.892.5688
    - Squamish Medical Clinic: 604.892.3535

    • Book a telephone appointment with a doctor. Please note your appointment may not be with your regular family doctor. Doctors will schedule an in-person visit only if required.
    • Patients without a family doctor can access the divisions of family practice at https://www.divisionsbc.ca/sea-sky/your-division/telehealth-appointments for assistance with booking an appointment.

    Thank you to all of our health practitioners working round the clock to prepare our hospitals and clinics for COVID-19. 

  • Provincial guidance to construction sites during COVID-19
    The Provincial Government has released guidance to construction sites operating during COVID-19 to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission and to protect the health of employees. These requirements apply to all construction sites in Squamish. 
     
    WorkSafe BC is also keeping a close eye on this industry and safety protocols, and has information on its website here: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid-19-updates/health-and-safety/construction-information.
    Requirements apply to all construction sites.
    For up-to-date information on how to safely operate during COVID-19 visit https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020EMBC0002-000542.
  • Province of BC economic support action plan

    The BC Provincial Government has announced a $5-billion economic action plan to support British Columbians affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

    • Support for renters and landlords
    • BC Emergency Benefits for Workers
    • Climate Action Tax Credit
    • B.C. Student Loans
    • BC Hydro• ICBC
    • Tax Relieve for Businesses 

    Visit the Province of B.C. website for full details.  

    CBC News is tracking and summarizing financial support options as more funds and programs become available. Click here to the read article.

  • Childcare

    The District is currently coordinating with Vancouver Coastal Health, the Sea to Sky Child care Resource Referral Office, Sea to Sky Community Services and School District 48 to help to facilitate required care and support essential services workers during this COVID response period.

    Please see important updates on the Ministry of Children & Family Development Response to COVID-19, including public health guidance for child care settings, Q&As for the child care sector, as well as funding for childcare providers, and family subsidies through the Affordable Child Care Benefit.

  • Physical Distancing - Downloadable graphics and poster

    Help spread the word - social distancing is critical in the effort to slow the transmission of COVID-19.

    Download and share these "Social Distancing - It's Critical!" resources:

October 23, 2020 at 1:43 PM

Squamish Transit to provide free service on B.C. provincial election day

The District of Squamish and BC Transit are providing free transit service on Saturday, October 24, 2020 for B.

Learn more

October 21, 2020 at 9:42 AM

Where to vote on and before BC Election Day

BC Provincial Election Day is Saturday, October 24, 2020.

Learn more