As the importance of social distancing continues to be stressed by Provincial and Federal health authorities, the Regional District of East Kootenay is closing its offices and facilities to public access effective immediately.

“Our Cranbrook and Columbia Valley offices are closed to public access; however, we remain open for business and are encouraging the public to contact us via phone or email with any inquiries, payments, questions, or applications,” explains RDEK CAO Shawn Tomlin. The Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena and public access to RDEK fire halls has also been closed.

The move comes on the heels of an announcement today by Prime Minister Trudeau urging Canadians as much as possible to stay home. At the same time, the BC Provincial Health Officer has stressed the importance of social distancing, as the province ordered all gatherings over 50 people to be cancelled.

“Our priority is to protect our employees and the public while our maintaining services,” adds Tomlin. “All critical services, such as water, sewer and emergency services, will be our primary focus. In addition, we have been looking at creative solutions to keep things like building inspections and planning projects moving forward in this unprecedented time.”

An upcoming public information meeting for the Steamboat Jubilee Mountain Official Community Plan has been postponed and the RDEK expects to make an announcement in the next two days regarding other upcoming meetings and events, including Advisory Planning Commission meetings and upcoming CBT Community Initiatives public meetings.

More information on local impacts as a result of COVID-19 can be found on the Emergency Information page on www.rdek.bc.ca along with links to the local, provincial and federal health authorities who are coordinating the response and public information on the virus.