Ask West Kelowna
COVID-19: Actions and service continuation
COVID-19 Update: Nov. 25, 2021
- The City of West Kelowna has confirmed that several outside workers, limited to an employee cluster in the Public Works Department, have tested positive for COVID-19 and are self-isolating at home with support from Interior Health.
- As a matter of precaution, any employees who may have been exposed who exhibit symptoms will also self-isolate.
- A mandatory vaccination policy, which has been in effect since Oct. 29, will require all staff to have proof of their first vaccination prior to Dec. 1, and be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4 2022.
- The City is reinstating its mandatory daily health check for applicable employees and Interior Health is continuing to monitor as they do with all organizations.
- The safety and well-being of our staff and residents continues to be our highest priority and control measures are strictly followed.
- City essential services and operations continue to operate.
- We will continue to be vigilant and work closely with Interior Health and WorkSafe BC to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our City-operated facilities and public spaces.
Visit the Interior Health’s website for more information: interiorhealth.ca
As of Oct. 27, a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, was implemented for employees of the City of West Kelowna.
In keeping with Provincial Health Orders, those 22 years of age and up are required to show proof of full vaccinations (two doses), and provincial government photo ID to access City recreational facilities, including all indoor areas such as lobbies, lounges, program rooms, gyms, fitness studios, and rinks. All spectators 12 to 21 years will also be required to show their BC Vaccine Card, with proof of full vaccinations (two doses); no provincial photo ID is needed for those 18 and younger.
Proof of full vaccinations (two doses) includes all parents, coaches, officials, and volunteers.
Until further notice from Interior Health, indoor capacities remain at 50 per cent (e.g. 150 people at Jim Lind Arena and 750 at Royal LePage Place).
By way of the Provincial Health Order, the City of West Kelowna cannot make any exceptions outside of the orders.
Those who are eligible for an exemption must obtain one from the Province of BC COVID-19 website and provide proof prior to entering City recreational facilities.
Please note:
- City of West Kelowna staff CANNOT grant a medical exemption or make exceptions to the rules.
- Apply for a provincial medical exemption through the following website COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
- Show proof upon entering facilities where full vaccination (two doses) is required (see list of facilities provided below):
Additional details
Updated Oct. 13 and until further notice, the Province of BC requires that masks be worn in all indoor public spaces for everyone five years and older. Masks are not required outdoors or in the field of play.
Stay home if you are sick! Sanitize or wash your hands upon entering and exiting facilities. Maintain safe social distancing. Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
West Kelowna Council and staff sincerely thank the Westside for adhering to COVID-19 protocols and taking care to protect others and themselves.
For information on Interior Health’s COVID-19 vaccination plans in our community, please visit their webpage news.interiorhealth.ca/news/covid-19-vaccines or call Interior Health at 1-877-740-7747.
Let’s continue to stand together to keep seniors, rec users, our families and ourselves healthy and safe and our businesses in operation.
Attending recreation programs/events, proof of vaccine requirements
Please respect our staff. They CANNOT provide exemptions nor exceptions to the rules. Staff must follow these specific requirements:
- Vaccine cards and provincial photo ID, indicating proof of full vaccination (two doses), are required to enter Jim Lind Arena and Royal LePage Place, as follows:
- Everyone 22 years of age and up are required to show proof of full vaccinations (two doses), and provincial government photo ID to access City recreational facilities, including all indoor areas such as lobbies, lounges, program rooms, gyms, fitness studios, and rinks
- All spectators 12 to 21 years will also be required to show their BC Vaccine Card, with proof of full vaccinations (two doses); no provincial photo ID is needed for those 18 and younger
- Exceptions to the vaccine card rule include:
- Children ages 11 and younger
- Recreation or sport participants 21 years and younger
- Those who have received a medical exemption from the Province of BC and can provide proof prior to entry
For recreational programming, check the Winter 2022 Rec Guide.
Visiting Municipal Hall
The vaccine card requirements do not apply when visiting City Hall.
Here is a summary of the evolving actions the City is taking to support the community through COVID-19:
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Wear masks; non-medical or medical masks, covering the nose and mouth in all City-operated facilities including access to Municipal Hall, Public Works, Recreation and any other City facility opened to the public;
- Masks are required in indoor public places for all people five years and older, when not in the field of play.
- Sanitize or wash your hands upon entering and exiting our facilities.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
- Conduct as much City business as possible online through our website, phone, email or other digital services.
- View Council meetings live at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts or the next day through Webcast Archives.
- In accordance with COVID-19 protocols, Interior Health restrictions and the City's COVID-19 Safety Plan regarding indoor seated gatherings and events, limited seating for 12 people will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis at West Kelowna Council meetings. The City continues to encourage the public to watch Council Meetings via live stream at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts.
A list of all City facilities and the provincial requirements are noted below.
| Vaccine cards - by location, required |
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| Vaccine Cards - by location, not required |
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Vaccine cards - by age |
Exceptions to the vaccination card rule include:
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| Exemptions at City facilities |
You do not need show proof of vaccination at places like:
Recreational facility users who do not need to show proof of vaccination are:
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About
| About vaccine cards at City facilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| About public responsibilities at City facilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Proof of full vaccination allows for more participation and a greater number of spectators in City facilities such as Jim Lind Arena and Royal LePage Place. This change will help normalize regular ice arena operations, create additional ice opportunities for youth, and support our local sport organizations. As of Oct. 27, 2021 capacity limits remained at 50 per cent. Adults 22 years of age and up must show their BC Vaccine Card, indicating proof of full vaccination (two doses) and provincial government photo ID to access City recreation facilities, including all indoor areas such as lobbies, lounges, program rooms, gyms, fitness studios, pools, and rinks. Youth spectators 12 to 21 years will be required to show their BC Vaccine Card with full proof of vaccination (two doses); no provincial photo ID is needed for those 18 and under. Non-ticketed spectators must show proof of vaccination. Furthermore, the requirement will be in place until at least Jan. 31, 2022; it could be extended. The requirement applies to all people ages 12 and older and covers the following activities:
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| About rec operators and their responsibilities at City facilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Any organization that has booked use of City of West Kelowna recreation facilities is required to follow all COVID-19 protocols, Interior Health restrictions and the City's COVID-19 Safety Plans as per their rental agreements, this includes the submission of a COVID-19 Safe Operating Plan. They must monitor their participants and patrons; including how their programs and events will continue to comply with all Provincial Health Orders including mask mandates and proof of vaccinations. Operators have a shared responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that fans, participants, staff and volunteers are in a healthy and safe environment. |
Questions and Answers
| How the City is monitoring and adapting |
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Why is the City requiring people five years and older to wear masks and provide full proof of vaccination (two doses)? City staff follow Provincial Health Orders and Interior Health guidelines and the City's COVID-19 Safety Plan; we have a shared responsibility to guard the health and safety of customers, participants and our greater community from the spread of COVID-19. By following safe operating procedures, we demonstrate through action our concerns for our community including vulnerable populations such as seniors and we ensure that our facilities can remain open for the physical and mental wellbeing of our community. We have continued to adjust and adapt throughout the pandemic. We have closed facilities as required; and, we work at all other times to ensure the safe operation and continued services whenever possible. Are City staff required to be fully vaccinated: Yes. On Oct. 27, the City of West Kelowna announced a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, which requires proof of vaccination for all City employees by Jan. 4, 2022. The intent of this policy is to help protect employees and the community, and further enables the City to safely and effectively deliver services to its citizens. Together with surrounding municipalities such as the cities of Kelowna, Penticton and Kamloops, and the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, the implementation of this policy will allow sufficient time for City staff who have not been fully vaccinated to receive Health Canada approved COVID-19 first and second doses prior to Jan. 4. The policy applies to all City employees, regardless of work location. May the City of West Kelowna require additional protocols and safety procedures beyond provincial health orders for the safety of staff and customers? Yes. We may sometimes require further safe operating procedures in addition to Provincial and Interior Health Orders and WorkSafe BC requirements. What are some examples of additional protocols? For Council meetings, for example, we are using COVID-19 Provincial Health Protocols, Interior Health restrictions and the City's COVID-19 Safety Plan regarding indoor seated gatherings and events, to limit seating to 12 people on a first-come, first-serve basis. The City continues to encourage the public to watch Council Meetings via live stream at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts. What if I refuse to wear a mask or show proof of vaccination? We appeal to your respect for our programs users, other spectators and staff and ask that you share in our common goal of ensuring everyone's health and safety. If you choose not to wear a mask or refuse proof of vaccination, you cannot enter the facilities as it creates health and safety risks. The City has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to abuse, harassment, harm and hate; authorities will be contacted to deal with these matters. We ask that the public be kind and help one another. Those who are medically exempt from Provincial Health Orders must show proof of their exemptions. Can the City grant me a medical exemption to enter a city facility? No. Only the Province of BC can grant an exemption. Submit applications to the provincial government at COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca) When can I expect the mask rules and proof of vaccination requirements to change? The City of West Kelowna complies with all Provincial and Interior Health Orders and WorkSafe BC guidelines and mandates and we will update our safe operating procedures whenever health guidelines change. Who can I contact for more information? Call our Recreation Department staff for more information at 778-797-8800. For booking information, call 778-7979-2265. |
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| 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 1-833-784-4397. Anyone exposed to, or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, should contact their primary care provider or call 8-1-1. |
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