PITT MEADOWS, BC – Mayor Bill Dingwall, with the unanimous support of Council, has submitted formal documentation to the Minister of Public Safety, Mike Farnsworth to declare a local state of emergency in response to COVID-19. This will give the City extraordinary powers to enforce public safety measures in support of initiatives directed by the Provincial Health Officer and the Minister of Public Safety in terms of limiting public gatherings and social distancing.
“We are taking action to do everything we can to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” says Mayor Bill Dingwall. “I continue to work closely with all of Council and staff to protect the safety of our residents and staff, which is our number one priority.”
The declaration of a local state of emergency gives the City the ability to act faster and access critical resources in response to this ever changing situation to protect our citizens. With a local state of emergency, the City will have the ability to enforce directives from the Provincial Medical Health Officer which may include closing facilities and businesses, accessing buildings and taking steps to protect vulnerable populations.
In the ongoing response to COVID-19, effective immediately, the City of Pitt Meadows also closed all playgrounds, play structures, play boxes, the skate park, BMX Track and washrooms at Cottonwood Park and washrooms near the Spray Park at Harris Road Park and Spring Break Camps (effective Monday, March 23, 2020) until further notice. Due to increased vandalism, the washrooms at the Pitt Meadows Athletic Park and Harris Road Park (west side) will have reduced hours and only be open from 10am-3pm.
Residents are encouraged to enjoy the many public trails, parks and open spaces but to ensure proper social distancing and to avoid large groups.
The City’s Emergency Operations Centre will continue to monitor the situation and to implement measures that protect the safety of our community and staff as required. For the latest information, visit pittmeadows.ca/covid19 or the City’s social media channels.
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For more information please contact:
Carolyn Baldridge,
Manager of Communications & Community Engagement
City of Pitt Meadows
cbaldridge@pittmeadows.ca