In his weekly update during a City of Powell River Council meeting, Mayor Dave Formosa updated residents on developments happening in the COVID-19 era.
At the May 7 council meeting, Formosa said he was sure residents had heard the message from BC premier John Horgan, that the provincial state of emergency will be kept in place.
“They are going to slowly start opening things up a little bit – baby steps,” said Formosa. “They will be reopening provincial parks and they are discussing things like haircuts, personal care and chiropractors, but it will be a slow introduction.
“People are still encouraged to social distance and to wash their hands. People should avoid crowds.”
Formosa said some people do not take the restrictions as seriously as others do but he urged all to follow instructions. He said he has conditions, so he is concerned.
Formosa said people should be kind to one another and respect other people. He said if somebody asks another to step back a little bit, not to take it personally, it’s just the way things will be for a little while longer.
“Hang in there and try to be kind,” said Formosa. “Keep up the good work.”
Formosa said he continues to be busy with COVID-19-related business. He said he’s had regular meetings with Vancouver Coastal Health, and with provincial minister of municipal affairs and housing Selina Robinson.
“We’re basically going through the slow opening process with the mayors asking all of their questions,” said Formosa. “One of the biggest concerns out there was the coordinated recreational openings for the cities and communities. Technically, your recreation complex can be open. The mayors were looking for direction in those areas.
“The law has not told us to close those things but we have done them because it was the right thing to do and we didn’t want things to get out of hand. I can tell you the first two weeks of COVID-19 was like our hair was on fire, the third week was similar but not as bad, and now we are riding the horse and folks are doing pretty good.”
Formosa said he wanted to remind people about social distancing. He said he is seeing people letting their guard down and he wants to remind people of that.
