(With files from the Province of British Columbia)

Cranbrook, BC (April 6, 2022) -- Dr. Bonnie Henry today (Tuesday April 5, 2022) announced as of 12:01am, Friday April 8, 2022, BC Vaccine Card requirements will be lifted, workplaces can transition from COVID-19 Safety Plans to communicable disease plans, and vaccination requirements on students living in residence will be lifted.

The Face Covering Order was rescinded on Friday March 11, 2022, however the public and City staff are welcome to continue wearing masks in City facilities, if they wish. All other health and safety requirements remain in effect until further notice.

Please note: Passengers, visitors and staff of the Canadian Rockies International Airport are still required to wear masks at all times within the terminal and on all aircraft, as the airport and airlines are federally regulated.

You can review all of the details of the Province's April 5, 2022 announcement here - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restrictions#changes.

Every effort is being undertaken to ensure the health and safety of our City of Cranbrook staff and the public. The City is aligning our services and how we conduct business with the requirements provided by WorkSafeBC. You can review our Communicable Disease Prevention Plan here.

Proof of Vaccination & City Recreation Facilities

As of Friday April 8, 2022, proof of vaccination will no longer be required to access any of our Recreation and Culture facilities. This is in keeping with the direction from the Province of BC Health order.

With this change, our operating hours are as follows:

Western Financial Place

• Building hours: Weekdays 6:15 am to 8 pm; Saturday 9 am to 8 pm, and Sunday noon to 8 pm.  We will be closed on stat holidays.
• Aquatic Center hours: Weekdays 6:15 am to 8 pm, Saturday’s 9 am to 4 pm, and Sunday’s noon to 4 pm.
• Concourse walking hours: Weekdays 7:30 am to 8 pm and weekends noon to 8 pm.

The Recreation and Culture department is still experiencing staffing deficiencies and will continue our efforts to provide exceptional services and programming to the community. Our team is available to answer questions and we can be reached at 250-489-0220.
 

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
To get first, second or booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, drop into any of Interior Health’s clinics across the East Kootenay. Get a full list of clinic locations, including pop-up clinics, dates and hours here - https://www.interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/disease-outbreaks/covid-19/immunization-clinics. For general non-health related information about COVID-19, please call 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319).

Our customers are strongly encouraged to continue to access City information and services by phone or by email wherever possible.

Customers who require a visit to any of our office facilities must understand and obey the following guidelines:

• If you have underlying medical conditions, it is recommended that you do not visit our municipal hall or facilities.
• Anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19, which primarily displays as a persistent cough, will not be permitted on the premises. If you are sick, please stay home.
• If you have travelled outside Canada, you are not permitted on our premises until you have self-isolated for a minimum of 14 days.
• If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or you live in a household where someone is showing symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home. 
• Physical distancing is always required (minimum of 2 meters). 
• Failure to observe physical distancing risks the closure of the facility, and as such, you will be asked to leave the premises. 
• Washrooms on the premises are disinfected frequently and hand sanitizers are available.
• We ask that any financial transactions be conducted electronically and not in cash. 

Our reception areas now have plexiglass barriers in place, with hand sanitizer available. Customers coming to City Hall will be greeted outside the building and will be allowed into the main reception area at a maximum of 2 people at a time. If you appear to display sickness, you will be asked to leave and instead contact us by phone or email so we can assist you.

Staff will continue to respond to public inquiries and requests by both phone and email:

• General Inquiries: 311
• Payments, Utilities & Property Taxes: 250-489-0233
• Recreation & Culture: 250-489-0220 or 250-489-0221
• Public Works: 250-489-0218
• Building Inspections: 250-489-0207
• Cemetery Information: 250-489-0230
• Bylaw Services: 250-489-0263
• Fire & Emergency Services: 250-426-2325
  (non-emergency only, otherwise call 911)

Key Information & Links

• Interior Health COVID-19 Vaccine Bookings & Information
• School COVID-19 Exposures - Interior Health (partnership with school districts to support information-sharing when there are COVID-19 exposures at schools)
• Small Business BC (providing support for small business with information around available programs from the provincial and federal governments).
• COVID-19 Information Line **FOR NON-HEALTH INFORMATION** - 1- 888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319).
  The line is open seven days a week, from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. PST.
• 811 - dial 811 for health-related information on COVID-19
• COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool - use this simple online tool to complete a self-assessment if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or are wondering if you should be tested.
• BC Centre for Disease Control Latest Updates - an excellent resource. Bookmark and use this site.
• Government of Canada - includes links to latest statistics, travel info and economic and financial supports available through the Federal Government.
• Province of BC Information Hub - includes links to Provincial supports for non-health information (childcare, travel advisories, employee/employer resources).
• Interior Health Latest Updates
• Public Health Agency of Canada 
• Public Health Agency of Canada Information Line - 1-833-784-4397.