COVID-19 Updates

Provincial and Local Health Restrictions are currently in place for the Interior Health region.

For up to date information on Provincial restrictions, visit:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restrictions

For more current information on Interior Health restrictions, visit: 

https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/provincial-and-regional-restrictions/

BC Restart Plan

BC's Restart Plan is a careful, four-step plan focused on protecting people and safely getting life back to normal. To move through the steps, the Province is tracking:

  • Declining case counts
  • Increasing vaccination rates
  • Declining hospitalizations, including critical care
  • Declining mortality rate. 

Public Health Order Guidance:

  • Physical distancing and masks continue to be required in public settings
  • If you or anyone in your family feels sick, stay home and get tested immediately

BC COVID-19 Immunization Plan Announcement

The Province has announced the next phase of BC's COVID-19 Immunization Plan. As of May 15, children 12+ can register to receive their vaccine:

Register online at https://www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/

Register by phone at 1-833-838-2323

Additional information:

Individuals, families, and businesses may be eligible for financial help. For more information, please visit the province of BC's Support for Individuals and Families page. 

COVID-19 testing is available in the Elk Valley by appointment only through the Sparwood Health Centre. Testing is not recommended if you do not have symptoms.

You can book an appointment online through the COVID-19 Test Booking form. By phone, call 1-877-740-7747.

Participate in Council Meetings Remotely

Council will continue to hold regular meetings using remote meeting technology. Following a ministerial order issued by the Province on March 26, the public will be unable to attend these meetings in person, but you are encouraged to watch upcoming Council meetings online. 

Click here to watch Council meetings live or view recorded meetings. 

For information on how to participate in Regular and Committee of the Whole meetings, please go to Participate in a Council Meeting.

Bylaw Enforcement of Public Health Orders

Municipal Bylaw Officers across BC have been directed by the Province to assist with the compliance and enforcement of public health orders related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

If you have concerns regarding compliance with any of the Public Health Officer’s orders, please contact bylawservices@fernie.ca.

COVID-19 Emergency Response

The monitoring of, and response to, COVID-19 is being led by Local, Provincial and Federal Health Authorities, not local government.

The City of Fernie is supporting directives from Provincial and Federal Health Authorities to practice physical distancing and self-isolation to prevent the spread of the disease in our community.

The Regional District of East Kootenay will be providing daily updates on how COVID-19 is affecting our region. Sign up for daily updates here or visit the RDEK Facebook page.

Updates from the Elk Valley Hospital Physicians

The Elk Valley Physicians Group has created a Faceook page to help share accurate health and wellness information in the face of COVID-19. Follow their updates, here:  https://www.facebook.com/Elk-Valley-Physicians-103187908033285

Phone Numbers

COVID-19 Information Line - 1- 888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319) The line is for non-health COVID-19 information. It’s open seven days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. MST

811 - dial 811 for health related information on COVID-19

211 - dial 211 for support to match seniors whose support network has been affected by COVID-19 with volunteers to help with basic needs like grocery shopping, pharmacy drop offs and check-ins

Crisis Line: 1.888.353.2273 - free, anonymous support

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

Online Links

COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool & App - use this online tool to complete a self-assessment & get updates.

BC Centre for Disease Control - includes information on their testing protocols.

Interior Health - includes information and resources for interior communities

Government of Canada - statistics, travel info and economic and financial supports available federally.

Province of BC Information Hub - links to Provincial supports for non-health information (childcare, travel, employee/employer resources, business support)

I want to help my community. What can I do?

Local, Provincial and Federal Health Authorities are requesting the public to support the reduction of COVID-19 transmission by practicing physical distancing, self-isolation and following recommended personal hygiene guidelines.

If you need help with the pick up of groceries, prescriptions or other essentials, OR if you are a volunteer willing to help others in need, several grassroots initiatives have started in our community. To request assistance or offer your support, please contact the following groups directly.

Elk Valley COVID Support Team -  Providing support with grocery and prescription delivery, emotional support and spiritual care

211 - 211 service will take calls from people who would like to volunteer to help seniors in their community with basic needs, including grocery shopping and pharmacy drop-offs and checkins. They will then share it with local community agencies to match seniors and volunteers who live in the same community.

Salvation Army Fernie – Proving food bank services. 

Fernie Fresh Food Share –  Providing access to fresh and healthy groceries for anyone in the community in partnership with the Salvation Army food bank.

Want to support local businesses during this challenging time? Tourism Fernie and the Fernie Chamber of Commerce have compiled a list what businesses are open, closed, have reduced hours or are offering delivery or curbside pick-up options.