City Facilities – Public Statement for COVID-19
Updates regarding City operations will be posted to the City’s website at richmond.ca.
Updated: March 16, 2020 @ 6:20pm – In response to COVID-19, all Richmond community facilities including community centres, libraries, Richmond Olympic Oval, swimming pools, arenas, arts, cultural and heritage buildings will be closed effective end of day Mon, Mar 16 until further notice.
All programs and services are cancelled with the exception of the following:
– Childcare programs
– Week-long camps such as spring break camps
– Food services at the Seniors Centre at Minoru Centre for Active Living (only available for pick-up, details pending); and
– Home delivery of library materials to isolated seniors
The City’s Operations Works Yard, City Hall and Recycling Depot remain open.
March 15, 2020 – During the evolving impact of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus), the health and safety of our guests and patrons remains our top priority. The City of Richmond continues to follow the direction of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) as they are the lead agencies for local public health.
The Public Health Agency of Canada still assesses the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for Canada and we will continue to monitor and react accordingly as updates become available.
Following the recommendations of VCH and BCCDC, we are following a number of protocols to maintain the health and safety of everyone in our facilities and programs.
WHAT WE ARE DOING
– In addition to our current high standards of cleaning, we have increased the cleaning schedule of all public facility spaces with a concentration on high touch surfaces.
– Additional hand sanitizing stations have been placed in high traffic areas.
– Signage regarding recommended hygiene practices have been posted in our facilities, including the washrooms.
– We are modifying refund/withdrawal policies for most activities.
– As per the direction of the Provincial Health Officer, we have cancelled or postponed all events or gatherings of more than 250 people.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
– We are reminding everyone who enters our buildings to do their part in preventing the spread of germs by following the steps recommended by local public health authorities:
– Stay home if you feel unwell and limit contact with others.
– Wash your hands before, during and after your visit with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
– If you need to cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with your arm or tissue and turn your head away from others.
– Keep a social distance from other guests in confined spaces.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure we keep current with the most up to date information. We are taking advice and direction from Richmond’s Medical Health Officer and will advise if any changes to our programs or facilities are warranted.
Please continue to seek information from credible sources only. Get updates on the Health Canada, VCH and BCCDC websites.
Updates regarding City operations will be posted to the City’s website at richmond.ca.