ON March 19, Emergency Management BC (BC Provincial Government) approved Delta Mayor George V. Harvie’s request to declare a Local State of Emergency in Delta. Effective immediately, this enables Harvie to take actions to support the Provincial Health Officer’s verbal order to limit public gatherings and practice social distancing.

The City said Delta MLA Ravi Kahlon had been extremely helpful in facilitating its efforts to protect the community, particularly working hard to have its Local State of Emergency request approved so quickly.

Under the Local State of Emergency, the City is taking immediate actions against businesses that refuse to abide by the Provincial Health Officer’s directions, including closing the business and suspending the business licence. The City is working hard to support the vast majority of Delta businesses that are following the Provincial Health Officer’s directions and understand the importance of limiting the spread of COVID-19, but action will be taken against businesses that are not protecting public health.

Harvie said: “These are challenging times for residents and businesses in our community. By declaring a Local State of Emergency, we have additional abilities to protect the community. I have asked our Bylaws department to enforce closures on some businesses that are not following the direction of our Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. I continue to work with all of Council, staff, and senior government officials to protect this community from the impact of COVID-19.”

Visit the City’s Coronavirus webpage (delta.ca/coronavirus) for updates about the City’s response to COVID-19, as well as information on services that the City is continuing to provide.

ON Friday, Harvie directed the closure of all playground equipment in Delta, including school playgrounds and playgrounds in Delta’s Metro Vancouver parks, to prevent close contact of children using these facilities. Skate and bike parks throughout Delta have also been closed.

Other than playground equipment, skate, and bike parks, parks in Delta remain open and people are encouraged to use them in support of good physical and mental health provided social distancing between people of at least two metres is maintained at all times. People who are feeling unwell should not access parks, the City said in a press statement.