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COVID-19 Public Health Orders and Guidelines
By UNA
UPDATE (APRIL 24, 2020): With guidance from Vancouver Coastal Health, a review is being conducted regarding the possibility of re-opening some closed outdoor spaces while complying with Provincial Health Officer orders. Updates on this will be sent to the community as soon as it is available.
How is compliance with COVID-19 Public Health Orders and Guidelines being addressed in UNA neighbourhoods?
Promoting physical distancing of people from one another is a key tactic to preventing infections with the virus. Physical distancing of 2 metres between people is recommended to reduce the risk of transmission.
The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is the best source for COVID-19 health information.
The province has adopted a graduated compliance and enforcement approach that generally starts with providing information, education and advice as the first step, with escalating measured enforcement only as required and looks to local jurisdictions for support.
The federal government will continue to use its authority under the Quarantine Act to ensure compliance with the emergency order requiring individuals entering Canada to self-isolate for 14 days, enforceable by the RCMP. Maximum penalties for breaking the federal emergency order include fines of up to $750,000 and/or imprisonment for six months, or up to $1 million and/or imprisonment up to three years for a person who causes a risk of imminent death or serious bodily harm. More information can be found here.
Compliance and enforcement at UBC
To limit the spread of COVID–19, UBC and the University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA) have encouraged staff to work remotely, if possible. During this time, the UNA will be supported by UBC Development Services staff in monitoring UNA areas, as part of their delivery of crucial services.
- Construction Sites: UBC Development Services staff visit every development site regularly to ensure compliance with regulations. Construction managers at large projects have been asked to produce COVID–19 protocols for their site and to post the name and contact information of the site’s safety/health officer who will address any COVID–19 related concerns.
- Businesses: UBC Development Services licenses all businesses in UNA areas and staff are regularly monitoring their activity relative to Provincial Health Orders.
- Parks and Public Areas: UBC Development Services staff will monitor UNA public areas through the course of their duties for general compliance with physical distancing guidance.
While UBC staff do not have the authority to issue a fine or penalty pertaining to Public Health Orders, they can provide enforcement assistance to Provincial Health Officers by:
- monitoring facilities and areas closed to the public by a public health order;
- providing warnings, information and advice, including warnings to businesses and members of the public who may be acting in contravention of a public health order; and
- providing information on potential contraventions for follow-up by health authorities.
If you have a concern regarding compliance with COVID-19 Public Health Orders and Guidelines at UBC, you can contact Grant Miller, Director of Planning, UBC Campus + Community Planning at 604-822-6991
For questions regarding physical distancing or self-isolation, the Ministry of Health has an information line at 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319).
For information about UNA’s response to COVID-19 and links to health resources, please go to myuna.ca/covid-19
For information about UBC’s response to COVID-19 and links to health resources, please go to covid19.ubc.ca
The UBC RCMP detachment can be reached at 604-224-1322.