TNG: March 19, 2020 – COVID-19 Update #3
Press Release
March 19, 2020
Our continued response to COVID-19.
TNG remains committed to keeping our employees and the communities we serve safe.
Therefore, we are sharing the following information.
TNG activated our Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) the evening of March 17, 2020. Yesterday, March 18, 2020, the province of B.C. declared a public health emergency. These are measures to ensure that all resources available are being used to address COVID-19. To date, there have been 231 confirmed cases in British Columbia, but no confirmed cases in Williams Lake or the Tŝilhqot’in communities.
Announcements of closures due to COVID-19 have included:
- Interior Health Outpost clinics in Tatla Lake and Alexis Creek are closing doors to walk-in traffic. Appointments are required. Please call (250)-476-1114 (Tatla Lake), or (250)-394-4313 (Alexis Creek) to make an appointment.
- Williams Lake daycare, Exploring the puddle early learning centre is closed. So far, they are the only daycare to close.
- K-12 schools across the province have closed indefinitely.
- The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) announced the closure of their public library locations and closed their service counters to the public in Quesnel, Williams Lake and 100 Mile House. Their staff will continue to work and is reachable by telephone and email.
- Bars and clubs have been ordered to close by the Chief Health Officer. Restaurants can remain open only if they can comply with less than 50 people and social distancing rules.
- Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex closed its doors and cancelled registered programs such as swimming lessons and drop-in programs.
- Paradise Cinemas in Williams Lake has also closed.
- ICBC has cancelled all road tests for the next two weeks and will re-evaluate at that time.
It is important to remember that these closures are all a precautionary response, in an effort to prevent an outbreak in our local communities.
A reminder that if you have symptoms, Stay home!
If you are experiencing symptoms of the COVID-19 (fever, coughing and difficulty breathing), DO NOT go to the ER. You can take the self assessment (https://covid19.thrive.health) to determine whether you need further assessment or testing. After taking the self assessment, please call your health care provider, or 8-1-1, or for the deaf and hard of hearing, call 7-1-1 to further assess if you need testing. Only a healthcare professional can refer you to the community testing station.
You can visit the Emergency page on the TNG website to review past and the latest updates concerning COVID-19.
Other resources to stay up-to-date include:
Government of Canada – Public Health
Government of BC – Health Link BC
First Nations Health Authority
NT5
