Ask West Kelowna
COVID-19: Action, Response and Service Continuation
West Kelowna Council and staff express our sincere thanks to the Westside for adhering to COVID-19 protocols and taking care to protect others and themselves.
Let’s continue to stand together to keep seniors, rec users, our families and ourselves healthy and safe and our businesses in operation.
Here is a summary of the evolving actions the City is taking to support the community through COVID-19. We ask that you:
- Wear masks; non-medical or medical masks, covering the nose and mouth must be worn in all City-operated facilities including access to Municipal Hall, Public Works, Recreation and any other City facility opened to the public. For more information please click here.
- Conduct as much City business as possible online through our website, phone, email or other digital services.
- For recreational programming, check out the 2020 Fall and the 2021 Winter Guide (effective Nov. 30).
- View Council meetings live at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts or the next day through Webcast Archives.
- If you must attend meetings in person, attendance at Council Meetings is first come, first serve, with maximum three members of the public accommodated in Chambers at one time.
- Use hand sanitizer provided; maintain social distancing; staff must collect contact tracing information keeping with provincial guidelines.
- Overflow attendance is accommodated outdoors with an audio-only stream.
The City introduced these measures to lessen the financial hardship and provide greater flexibility for residents:
- Council reduced the proposed tax rate increase from 4.8 to 2.8 per cent and deferred the property tax payment deadline from July 2 to Oct. 1.
- Council waived the one per cent interest charge on outstanding utility bills balances through to the end of 2020.
- Council and staff are partnering with the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, Westbank First Nation, Greater Westside Board of Trade and others to support the immediate needs of local business and drive for full economic recovery in the Central Okanagan.
COVID-19: Operational changes and facilities status |
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The table below lists the status of services and facilities in the City of West Kelowna during COVID-19.
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COVID-19: Stay connected with the City |
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In-person access is limited at most facilities. We encourage digital contact by phone, email or website service request. Please visit westkelownacity.ca/services/ for contact emails and phone numbers for our various services. |
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COVID-19: City Communications with You |
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As part of our commitment to serve you and keep you connected during COVID-19, we released several communications during the initial weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. These included press releases that you can find here, a series of videos featuring our Mayor and Directors as they explained adjustments to service and an initial message from Mayor Gord Milsom. These past communications can be found below:
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COVID-19: Support for businesses |
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City Council and staff are working alongside our partners at the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, Westbank First Nation, Greater Westside Board of Trade and others to support the immediate needs of local business and drive for full economic recovery in the Central Okanagan. Mayor Gord Milsom joined the Regional Mayors’ and WFN Chief’s Economic Recovery Task Force (Economic Recovery Task Force). Initiated by the Mayors of Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake County and Peachland, as well as the Regional Board Chair and Chief of Westbank First Nation. They will act to support the immediate needs of local business and drive for full economic recovery in the Central Okanagan. As part of B.C.’s COVID-19 Action Plan, the B.C. government is providing an additional $5 billion in income supports, tax relief and funding for people, businesses and services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Please click here for a resource document entitled Suppport for Small Businesses in B.C. from the Province of British Columbia and Small Business BC. For a comprehensive resource on federal support programs and services for individuals and businesses, as well as Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, please click here. |
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COVID-19: Public Health – Where to get COVID-19 information |
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As we move forward, we all must ensure we are reading and seeking accurate, reliable information about the COVID-19 situation and how we should all respond. Please use trusted sources such as the BC Centre for Disease Control, IHA, the B.C. Ministry of Health, and the Public Health Agency of Canada. The Public Health Agency of Canada has set up a COVID-19 information telephone line at: Anyone exposed to, or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, should contact their primary care provider or call 8-1-1. |
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