Castlegar responds to COVID-19
By City of Castlegar
The City of Castlegar is taking a collaborative approach and working closely with the community in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the situation evolving quickly, the City is vigilant in our planning and staying up-to-date as new information becomes available. We’re following the direction of the provincial and federal governments and working closely with Interior Health to ensure we have current information to support the community.
“On behalf of Council, I want to thank all of the healthcare workers, volunteers, businesses, and residents working to minimize the impacts in Castlegar,” says Mayor Bruno Tassone. “Let’s face it, we need to work as a team to keep our community healthy and safe as this situation evolves.”
The City’s planning is focused on three key areas:
City Operations
The health of our staff and keeping essential City services like emergency response, water treatment and waste management operating to minimize the impact on residents and businesses is top priority for the City.
The City has business continuity plans in place, including isolation of essential service worksites, and put health and safety measures in place for our staff and the public. This includes increased sanitization at all facilities (including high activity spaces like the West Kootenay Regional Airport and City Hall), suspension of all non-essential, work-related travel, and required 14-day isolation for staff returning from out of the county, following provincial guidelines.
The Province of B.C.’s recent announcement to ban gatherings of more than 50 people may impact planning for spring and summer events in the community. We encourage groups to consider what impact this could have on future events and incorporate this uncertainty into planning.
Supporting the Community
Last night, the City brought together Interior Health, Castlegar & District Recreation, Castlegar Library, IRIS (Increasing Recreation Involving Seniors), Kootenay Family Place, Community Harvest Food Bank & Emergency Drrop-in Centre, and the Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce to discuss how COVID-19 is impacting their sectors, what their needs are, and how they are sharing up-to-date information.
Here’s what we heard
How to help & get involved
Where to find more info
Public spaces, including the Castlegar & District Recreation Centre, Pioneer Arena and the Library have closed until further notice.
Get outside to play & exercise, access library resources online, do not return library books – they will have a fine amnesty in place.
Castlegar & District Library Website or call 250.365.6611.
Regional District of Central Kootenay Recreation website
Low-income and homeless members of the community require additional support and face challenges accessing information and healthcare support.
The Community Harvest Foodbank would appreciate any assistance, including, grocery gift cards or food donations.
Contact 250.608.1047 or connect with the Castlegar Community Harvest Food Bank on Facebook.
IRIS (Increasing Recreation Involving Seniors) has cancelled gatherings but refocused services on delivering homemade meals, providing rides to grocery stores and pharmacies, and initiating a phone call-out to ensure seniors stay connected.
Volunteer to help prepare meals, deliver items to seniors, and support new activities that emerge as seniors’ needs change.
Contact 250.608.0706 or follow Kootenay IRIS on Facebook.
Businesses are concerned about the short and long-term economic impacts.
Connect with the Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber of Commerce Website or call 250.365.6313.
Childcare services and drop-in programs provided by Kootenay Family Place are closing and the community services programs are being modified to on-line delivery models.
Contact the Trail & Castlegar Childcare Resource & Referral Program or Connect with Kootenay Family Place on Facebook.
Contact the Trail & Castlegar Childcare Resource & Referral Program at 250.364.2980 or connect with Kootenay Family Place on Facebook.
Information Sharing
The City receives updates from Interior Health, Province of B.C. and Government of Canada to ensure we have current information that will allow us to best support the community.
The City has created a new page on its website at castlegar.ca/covid19 that includes City information and links to:
- Official and up-to-date information from Interior Health, BC Centre for Disease Control, Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial and federal governments.
- More information from community groups on how residents can support them.
The City is also sharing information updates on its Facebook page.
If you are experiencing symptoms, Interior Health Authority requests you call 8-1-1 or your primary care provider immediately. If necessary, they will direct you to a local testing site. Long wait times are being reported when calling 8-1-1 so please be patient. The Province of B.C. has a dedicated information line at 1.888.COVID19.
The City of Castlegar is a service centre in the West Kootenay. The diversified and growing economy is focused on the forestry, energy and mining sectors in the valley, and commercial services in the City. Quality of life features backcountry adventure and an increasingly dynamic urban culture, including the Millennium Park & Ponds and Sculpture Walk.
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