Information on COVID-19

March 13, 2020

The health and well-being of our community and visitors is our number one priority. The City of Fernie is closely monitoring the situation with COVID-19, and we are in continuous communication with Interior Health and other government agencies. We are actively working to manage the risk to staff and the public while continuing to provide essential services during the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

Key facts about Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

• The risk of COVID-19 transmission continues to remain low for residents of British Columbia.

• Anyone who is concerned that they may have been exposed to, or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, should contact their primary care provider or call 8-1-1.

• The Public Health Agency of Canada has set up a COVID-19 telephone information line at: 1-833-784-4397. 

The City is following all guidelines provided by the Provincial Health Authority to help mitigate the spread of the virus.

Staff are working with user groups to cancel any gatherings of 250 or more scheduled for the coming weeks at municipal facilities.

Facilities and Programs

At this time our recreation facilities remain open, however the steam room and the exercise room at the Aquatic Centre are closed. The frequency and intensity of cleaning at all City facilities has been increased to help mitigate risk.

We are monitoring the situation and will temporarily shut Fernie Memorial Arena and the Fernie Aquatic Centre if this is deemed necessary.

Please do not visit any City facilities if you have any symptoms or have travelled internationally in the past 14 days.

Swim lesson registration scheduled for March 16 has been cancelled and we are postponing lessons until further notice.  The City is also putting a hold on new rentals at any of our municipal facilities.

Council Meetings will continue as scheduled, but Staff are exploring options for improved digital opportunities for remote attendance.

At Home & Around the Community

Please do not flush any non-water-soluble material down the toilet. This includes wipes, tissue, paper towel, and feminine hygiene products. Flushing these items has a significant impact on our infrastructure and significantly increases risk of exposure to staff who must clean screening equipment.

More Information

The primary online information resources specific to British Columbia are: