On November 19, 2020, by order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer, individuals and businesses in B.C. must significantly reduce social interactions and travel.

You can read about the Province-wide restrictions here. The order is in effect until December 7, 2020 at midnight.

COVID-19 is a health matter overseen by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. Below are some helpful links to help you stay up-to-date with the latest information:

Canada

• Official Government of Canada COVID-19 Support Site
• Official Government of Canada COVID-19 Situational Awareness Dashboard

BC

• Official BC Government COVID-19 Support Page
• Official BC Government News Releases
• Official Orders & Notices from the BC Government in Response to COVID-19
• BC Government's Official Plan to Restart the Economy: "BC's Restart Plan

Local

• Vancouver Island Health Authority's COVID-19 information page 
• COVID-19 Nanaimo-Ladysmith School Exposures 
• Local Data, Outbreaks and Public Exposures

Updates and briefings with Minister of Health Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry are live streamed on the BC Government Facebook Page.

Official Twitter Accounts can often be the fastest way to get the latest information:

• Health Canada: @GovCanHealth
• BC Centre for Disease Control: @CDCofBC
• BC Government News: @BCGovNews
• Minister of Health Adrian Dix: @adriandix

Trusted Health Authorities: 

• Public Health Agency of Canada
• BC Centre for Disease Control (BC CDC)
• Island Health
• Health Link BC

City of Nanaimo: 

The City of Nanaimo will continue to provide updates to the City’s Response to COVID-19 page. These updates are also posted regularly to the City's homepage, on the City's website, as well as the City's Facebook and Twitter platforms.

• 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 between 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. at 1-888-COVID19.
• The BC Ministry of Health has a free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line available via HealthLinkBC (8-1-1).

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

• Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your cough using the bend of your elbow or a tissue.
• Practice social distancing. 
• If you have to go out, avoid crowded places and close contact with anyone, especially if they have a fever or cough.
• Stay at home if you feel unwell.
• If you feel sick, check your symptoms online using the BC Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 symptom self-assessment tool.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

According to the BC Ministry of Health, if you are experiencing the following symptoms: a fever, cough, sneezing, sore throat, or difficulty breathing you are strongly urged to self-isolate for 14 days. You can check your symptoms online through the BC Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 symptom self-assessment tool found here: https://covid19.thrive.health/

Island Health has opened a COVID-19 screening clinic in Nanaimo. The clinic is open for those who have been referred by their primary health provider or by an 8-1-1 nurse.

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/

We have created a webpage to share information and updates regarding support services available to vulnerable populations during the pandemic. Please visit our Support for Vulnerable Populations During COVID-19 page.

Please note that the BC CDC and Island Health should be your main sources of information regarding COVID-19. Please visit their websites for the latest information: 

• BC CDC: have a COVID-19 dashboard that is updated Monday to Friday at 5pm.  
• Island Health: have self assessment tool, COVID-19 data, outbreaks and public exposure information. 

 

On November 19, 2020, by order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer, individuals and businesses in B.C. must significantly reduce social interactions and travel.

You can read about the Province-wide restrictions here. The order is in effect until December 7, 2020 at midnight.

You can also go to the BC Government's page on Orders & Notices page as well.

Yes, you may use City of Nanaimo parks and trails as long as you follow the guidelines outlined by the province. Stay home if you feel unwell, no gatherings, only go out with the people you live with and practice physical distancing by maintaining a minimum distance of 6 feet between you and other park users. 

On March 17, 2020, BC’s Medical Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, declared a Public Health Emergency.

In the Fall, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) said BC is in the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. In response to rising COVID-19 cases, the Provincial Health Officer announced a range of measures for gatherings and events as well as the food and drink industry. Other businesses must incorporate measures to maintain social distancing for the health of their workers and patrons. 

Please read the latest Province-wide restrictions, given on November 19, 2020 by the order and direction of the PHO. 

Please note: Monitoring private business activities is not within the City’s jurisdiction and is done by the Province. 

The City is Open for Business

Effective November 2, 2020 mask use is now expected in all public areas in City of Nanaimo buildings. 

Corporate Services - Please check out our Online Services page to see how we can help you. Safety protocols are now in place to help keep both visitors and staff safe when visiting. City Hall (455 Wallace Street) and the Service and Resource Centre (411 Dunsmuir Street) are once again open for in-person business, from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

Public Works - City staff continue regular garbage, recycling and organics collection. More information on recyclables can be found at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/recycle.

Parks, Recreation & Culture - Playgrounds, parks, trails, skateboard parks, bike parks, pickle ball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, lacrosse boxes, sports fields and dog parks are open with a number of guidelines to follow.  Recreation facilities, pool and arenas have reopened with new procedures in place. Drop-in schedules are available for viewing:

• Community Recreation Programming - Fall 2020
• Pool Activities - Fall 2020
• Arena Activities - Fall 2020

The City has a COVID-19 Recovery Plan to provide a path forward for resumption of City operations in a safe and economically viable way. The plan outlines four steps that the City will take toward a gradual, safe and measured reopening of municipal facilities and resumption of City services and programs that have been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can find the list of essential services on the BC government's COVID-19 Provincial Support page here: https://bit.ly/39nHUQg

Below are some resources that businesses, employees, and others may find helpful.

Local:

• City of Nanaimo's COVID-19 Business Resources page 
• Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce COVID-related business resource page

Provincial:

• COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information for British Columbians
• Small Business BC: Business Continuity & COVID-19 Small Business Resources
  • Contact info for Small Business BC: 1-800-667-2272 or askus@smallbusinessbc.ca  

Federal:

• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses
• Western Economic Diversification Canada response to COVID-19
  • Contact info: 1-888-338-WEST (9378), General Line: 604-666-6256, Toll Free: 1-888-338-9378, email: wd.bc-cb.deo@canada.ca
• Business Development Bank of Canada loans and advice - Support for entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19
• Canada’s Trade Commissioner - COVID-19 Resources for Canadian Businesses
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Employment and Social Development Canada
  

Effective November 2, 2020 mask use is now expected in all public areas in City of Nanaimo buildings.

Yes, City services remain operational and staff continue to conduct business online, via conference calls, virtually or, where necessary, by appointment only. Online services and MyCity are available on the City website. As well, residents may call our general line at 250-754-4251, Public Works at 250-758-5222 or Parks, Recreation and Culture at 250-756-5200 to speak to someone, during regular business hours. 

City Hall (455 Wallace Street) and the Service and Resource Centre (411 Dunsmuir Street) are once again open for in-person business, from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

Yes, City services are operating as normal. This includes garbage/recycling collection, water supply, sewer, drainage, roads, etc. More information on recyclables can be found at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/recycle.

You can also use the tools available on the Nanaimo Recycles app available for free download from the App Store and Google Play as well on the Garbage and Recycling Calendar page on the City website.

Please follow Safe Waste practices by securely bagging and disposing the following items in the garbage:

• Cleaning cloths and disposable wipes - even those listed as flushable/compostable
• Used Kleenex
• Personal hygiene products
• Face masks & gloves
• Any other similar items

Council meetings are still taking place; however in keeping with Ministerial Order No. M192 (changes to Council meeting processes are currently in effect) and “Guidelines for Public Attendance at Gatherings and Events” please note the following:

• Delegation requests by members of the public for related or unrelated Council or Committee matters, as outlined in Council’s Procedure Bylaw, will be permitted;
• Members of the public who are not registered delegations will not be permitted to attend meetings in person (other than Public Hearings), as physical distancing requirements cannot be assured.
• All Council and Council related Committee meetings will be livestreamed, recorded and made available on the City’s website;
• Question Period continues to be suspended until further notice.

Registration for fall programs (September to December) is now underway. There are three ways to register:

• Online
• Telephone: call 250-756-5200
• In Person: Bowen Park (starting Sep 10), Nanaimo Aquatic Centre (starting Sep 10) and Oliver Woods Community Centre (starting Sep 9)

To find out what we are offering, please use one of the following tools:

• Go to the City of Nanaimo Facebook events (one for arenas, one for pools and one for community recreation). By clicking interested on those events, you will be notified when updates occur.
• Check out our Arenas Fall 2020 Programs page
• Check out our Pools Fall 2020 Programs page
• Check out our Community Recreation Fall 2020 Programs page
• Click on our Fall 2020 Guide (PDF) 
• Go to our online registration page and search programs by keyword or barcode

please note that due to COVID-19, we will not be producing our usual Fall and Winter Activity Guide. 

Parks and trails within the City of Nanaimo and the Regional District of Nanaimo remain open. 

  The following recreational amenities are open:

• Nanaimo water parks
• Tennis
• Pickleball
• Skateboard parks
• Steve Smith Bike park
• Dog parks
• Playgrounds
• Gated basketball courts
• Volleyball courts
• Lacrosse boxes

Please remember to follow the guidelines:

• Adhere to physical distancing guidelines from anybody outside their household (2 metres or 6 feet)
• Wash their hands properly before coming to the park and after leaving
• Bring hand sanitizer or antiseptic wipes
• Avoid the area if sick or if they have been exposed to someone who has been sick or if a child is immunocompromised
• Consider visiting playgrounds at less busy times
• Not share equipment, toys, food, water bottles or other personal items
• Not congregate in groups larger than 50

 

Field rentals are available however there are guidelines in place when booking. Fields remain open for casual use, as long as you follow the public health Orders. 

The following facilities have reopened:

Pool, Fitness Gym and Community Centre reopening dates:

• Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and Fitness Gym opened on Thursday, September 10. Beban Pool will remain closed until further notice.
• Beban Social Centre opened on Tuesday, August 4 for facility rentals and Wednesday, September 9 for fall recreation programs.
• Oliver Woods community Centre opened on Wednesday, September 9 for rentals and recreation programs.
• Bowen Complex opened on Wednesday, September 9 for rentals and recreation programs.

Facilities will be operating with modified operating schedules and reduced rental and program offerings. Participants will be required to pre-register and pay in advance for all sessions through our online booking system. More information regarding session registration will be announced at a later date.

Arenas currently opened:

• one sheet at Nanaimo Ice Centre is open (for rentals and ice programs; no public skating at this time)
• one sheet at Cliff McNabb Arena opened on August 3 (for rentals and ice programs; no public skating at this time)
• one sheet or ice was added to Nanaimo Ice Centre for September 1 (if demand dictates)
• one sheet of ice was added at Frank Crane Arena (if demand dictates; no scheduled date at this time)

View the Public Pre-Registration Schedules: 

• Nanaimo Aquatic Centre/Weight Room 
• Arenas Schedule (Nanaimo Ice Centre & Cliff McNabb)
• Oliver Woods Community Centre
• Bowen Park Pottery Studio
• Admission Rates

Pre-register for your swimming, skating, weight room, gymnasium or pottery sessions online up to 72 hours in advance. You may also call 250-756-5200 or visit Bowen Park Complex, Nanaimo Aquatic Centre or Oliver Woods Community Centre and book with front desk staff once facilities are open. 

PLEASE NOTE: Schedules are subject to change without notice.