This page contains information on enforcement of federal and provincial orders for COVID-19.
Orders
In a Provincial State of Emergency, the Provincial Health Officer can make Orders as needed. You must follow the Orders.
Orders include limitations on mass gatherings, travellers, food service operators and long-term care staff. Island Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer has also issued an order supporting the provincial order for single site staff assignments.
Island Health’s Medical Health Officers have lifted an order requiring gyms to close. Read the letter rescinding the order here. Learn about guidance for gyms and fitness centres and risk mitigation plans.
Guidelines to support compliance with orders on business closures and gatherings, under the Public Health Act
Regulated facilities
If your concerns involve a regulated facility please contact your local Health Protection and Environmental Services office at Island Health. Regulated facilities include:
- Food premises (restaurants, mobile providers, grocery stores)
- Personal service establishments (hair salons, tattoo parlors, nail salons, piercers)
- Fitness centres (pools, gyms, spas, yoga studios)
Community Care Facilities Licensing
If you have questions or concerns about a licensed community care facility, such as long-term-care, group home or child care facility, please contact a Licensing Officer. The Community Care Facilities Licensing program is open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Community facilities
If your concerns involve a community facility these should be directed to local governments, which can dispatch bylaw officers for follow-up. Community facilities include community halls, museums, places of worship, theatres, parks, sports arenas, and casinos.
Contact your local municipality or search for other local authority information on the CivicInfo BC Directory.
Physical distancing
Physical distancing is an extremely important measure everyone needs to take to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Bylaw officers may be present in public spaces reminding people to maintain physical distance from each other where necessary. If you see large gatherings that are in contravention of the PHO order (greater than 50 people), you should contact your local bylaw enforcement office to report it.
To ensure bylaw officers address situations that pose the most serious risks to public health and safety, the public is asked to use their judgment and only contact bylaw offices when necessary.
Self-isolation
It is our strong expectation that people who are required to self-isolate will do so. Compliance is very important to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Travellers returning to Canada must submit and have approved self-isolation plans and self-isolate for 14 days as per the Emergency Order under the federal Quarantine Act, whether or not they have respiratory symptoms. There are some individuals who are exempt from this order to provide essential services. Read the provincial news release.
RCMP will follow up with travellers by phone or site visit to ensure individuals are following their approved self-isolation plans. If you have concerns about non-compliance regarding self-isolation, please send further details to VislandHealth.Info@viha.ca or PublicHealth@viha.ca.
Updated May 19, 2020 at 9 a.m.
