City of Nanaimo's Response to COVID-19

For the latest updates and information regarding COVID-19 please go to the BCCDC's website.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has created a toll-free phone number (1-833-784-4397) to answer questions from Canadians about COVID-19.

The Province has created a phone service to provide non-medical info about COVID-19, including the latest information on travel recommendations and social distancing. Information is available in more than 110 languages, 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. at 1-888-COVID19.

The BC Ministry of Health has free-of-charge provincial health information and an advice phone line available via HealthLinkBC (8-1-1).

Find health information for Vancouver Island on Island Health's COVID-19 webpage .

For the elderly living at home, the province has launched a new phone line and website to support you. Please call 2-1-1 and you will be connected with people who can offer support, which will include meal delivery, help with cooking, delivery of groceries and medications, and more. More information is available on the BC 211 website:  http://www.bc211.ca/

The City recognizes that during these unprecedented times, many in the community have questions and may not know who they need to contact to get the information they need. To help with this, the City created a  COVID-19 FAQ page to help provide answers to some of the most common questions during this time.

Find resources for businesses and learn about the various provincial and federal programs available to assist during this challenging time on our COVID-19 Business Resources page.

Find information and updates on local supports available for vulnerable populations during the pandemic on our Support for Vulnerable Populations During COVID-19 page.

In an effort to support social distancing, and for the health of City employees and residents, the City has moved to doing business online or via conference calls. City online services are available on the City website at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/OnlineServices.

Please take the time to read through this page and our  COVID-19 FAQ page. Should you still have questions, please call our General Line at 250-754-4251, Public Works at 250-758-5222 or Parks, Recreation and Culture at 250-756-5200.

You can also find us online via the City of Nanaimo’s social media accounts:

• City of Nanaimo on Facebook
• City of Nanaimo on Twitter
• City of Nanaimo on Instagram
• City of Nanaimo on Youtube

The City continues to communicate with Health Emergency Management British Columbia (HEMBC) as well as other community partners. Staff are reviewing and updating the City’s comprehensive business continuity plans specific to this evolving situation. As well, the City has a Pandemic Plan and an Emergency Response Plan that would become operational, if required.

On March 11, 2020, City staff took a proactive approach and initiated operational readiness meetings, which evolved to the activation of the Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC) at a Level 1 on March 12, 2020 so that key staff could begin identifying and planning for the various stages of the City’s response to COVID-19. On March 16, 2020, with the order from the Provincial Medical Health Officer that all gatherings of 50 or more people be cancelled, the City moved from a Level 1 ECC to a Level 2.

On March 16, 2020 all recreation facilities were closed due to the Provincial Health Officer's Order to cancel all gatherings of 50 or more people. On March 18, 2020, in response to the declaration of a COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the City closed the remainder of its public facilities including the Service and Resource Centre, City Hall and Public Works. Though these facilities are closed to public access, the City is still open for business.

As Thursday, May 14, the following recreational amenities are OPEN:

• Tennis
• Pickleball
• Skateboard parks
• Steve Smith Bike park
• Dog parks

On March 23, 2020 many recreational amenities were closed, the following remain CLOSED:

• Volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, hockey
• Recreational facilities
• Playgrounds

City of Nanaimo Fire Rescue will not be issuing any backyard burning permits this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Permits are normally issued to residents with properties greater then one acre and on Protection Island in April to dispose of large amounts of organic waste. Any that have already been issued are rescinded.

Small cooking fires such as camp fires will still be permitted on private property so residents can spend time outdoors. For full regulations on cooking fires, visit the Burning Regulations page.

In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, Nanaimo Fire Rescue has suspended regular fire inspections of businesses as a measure to help reduce potential the spread of the virus; however, Fire Inspectors will continue to investigate any reported fire hazards.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue would like to remind business and building owners that it is your responsibility to carry out the provisions of the BC Fire Code. This Inspection Checklist has been provided to help you and your staff comply with fire safety regulations for the days and months ahead.

The following outdoor facilities will reopen on Thursday, May 14, 2020:

• Tennis courts (singles play only unless playing with people from the same household)
• Pickleball courts (singles play only unless playing with people from the same household)
• Gated dog off-leash parks
• Bike park (Steve Smith Park) and pump track at Beban Park

Guideline signage for these areas will be posted at each location to help residents understand how to remain safe and healthy during this pandemic while visiting these outdoor spaces and to ensure, if followed by the public, that they remain open.

For the full news release, including guidelines please click HERE.

May 5, 2020: Facebook Live Press Conference held at 11:30am 

City of Nanaimo Reopening Select Outdoor Recreation Facilities

May 12, 2020 press conference to address the 2020 budget

May 12, 2020 News Release, "Council sets 2020 property tax rate."

Statement from Mayor Krog Regarding BC's Restart Plan

Mayor's task force will respond to COVID-19's impacts

May 5, 2020: Facebook Live Press Conference held at 11:30am 

• City supports local non-profit food service providers at recreation facilities
• City launches online form for submitting agenda-related questions to Council

Province and City to protect Nanaimo’s vulnerable during COVID-19 crisis

Additional Physical Distancing Measures Recommended in Parks

The doors may be closed, but the City is open for business

My Nanaimo This Week - April 22, 2020

Nanaimo Council to Make Prudent Decisions as Finances Impacted by COVID-19

City of Nanaimo Park Ambassador Program Expands  

City of Nanaimo supports local economy through capital project investments

• Council approves COVID-19 Financial Response, Relief and Recovery Work Plan

• City Park Ambassadors to Engage with Public on Physical Distancing

Practice Physical Distancing While in the Parks and on the Trails 

Clarifying the Role of Bylaw Enforcement During COVID-19

Changes to Council meeting processes due to COVID-19 

• City of Nanaimo providing COVID-19 response for vulnerable populations

• City of Nanaimo's operations update while dealing with COVID-19

• Nanaimo Recreation Coordinators promote health & wellness online

Special Council Meeting Live Stream Begins at 1 pm 

My Nanaimo This Week - March 31, 2020 

COVID-19 Update from Parks, Recreation & Culture

Statement from the City of Nanaimo Regarding Playgrounds, Now Closed

Update from Nanaimo Fire Rescue

March 19, 2020 Update from Parks, Recreation and Culture (COVID-19)

City open for business, closed to public access

Task Force and Committee Meetings Postponed

City recreation facilities to close

• Update 2: City's Response to the Global Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

• Update on City's Response to Global Impacts of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Statement from the City Regarding the Global Impact of COVID-19

Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19)