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FAQs

For answers to some of the most common questions about COVID-19, please refer to the BC Centre for Disease Control’s Common Questions page.

Please read through this page to find answers to frequently asked questions about the Town of Sidney’s COVID-19 Response.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Town's COVID-19 Response

 

Why aren’t we told how many COVID-19 cases are in Sidney?

The Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) are not releasing confirmed case counts in specific communities, with the exception of outbreaks in senior care facilities. Instead, the Ministry of Health and PHO provide information about the health authority where patients are located. For the current case count in our region, please refer to the Island Health region on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s Case Count web page.

Island Health provides additional COVID-19 data on a weekly basis by health service delivery area - north, central and south Vancouver Island. You can access this weekly data by visiting Island Health's COVID-19 Data, Outbreaks and Public Exposures page and clicking on the link to “COVID-19 data dashboard for Island Health region.” Sidney is located in Island Health's "South Vancouver Island" area.

While public health authorities are not sharing case counts in specific communities, they have emphasized that the risk of the virus exists everywhere in British Columbia. It is essential that everyone in every community must be diligent in following the health orders and recommendations from the Provincial Health Officer. These include staying home when you are sick, washing your hands regularly and thoroughly, limiting activities outside your home, and keeping at least 2 metres away from others when you are out in public.

 

Who do I contact if I have concerns about a local business’s compliance with public health orders?

If you have concerns about a business's current operational standards, you can do the following:

  • Contact WorkSafeBC or visit their website at www.worksafebc.com to confirm current guidelines for specific industries and orders related to COVID-19
  • Contact the Town of Sidney at 250-656-4502 or bylawenforcement@sidney.ca to request that a Bylaw Officer visit the business to provide information.
  • Contact Island Health to make them aware of your concerns.
  • Contact the business's manager to inform them of your concerns.
  • If you feel unsafe, choose not to visit the business.

 

Who do I contact if I have concerns about private gatherings / events?

If you have concerns about private gatherings or events in violation of current public health orders, you can:

  • Contact Town of Sidney Bylaw Enforcement during Town business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, excluding statutory holidays).
    Phone: 250-656-4502
    Email: bylawenforcement@sidney.ca
  • Contact the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP detachment after hours.
    Phone: 250-656-3931

 

Who do I contact to report contraventions of the mask order?

If you need to report a contravention of the ministerial order on the use of masks in indoor public spaces, you can:

  • Contact Town of Sidney Bylaw Enforcement during Town business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, excluding statutory holidays).
    Phone: 250-656-4502
    Email: bylawenforcement@sidney.ca
  • Contact the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP detachment after hours.
    Phone: 250-656-3931
  • To report an emergency contravention of the mask order (if someone becomes threatening or abusive), call 9-1-1.

 

Where can I find Public Health Orders?

 

What is an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)?

An Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is a centralized unit that, during an emergency, is responsible for the four pillars of local government emergency management: mitigation/prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. The Town of Sidney activated its Emergency Operations Centre on March 12, 2020 in order to centralize the Town's COVID-19 monitoring, planning, and response efforts.

Visit our Emergency Operations Centre page for more information about our EOC and its focus areas and initiatives.

 

How can I help?

Please visit our Ways the Public Can Help for ideas on how to help others.