Community centres and city recreation programs including spring break camps are running normally in Coquitlam — for now.
Kathleen Vincent, the public information officer with the city’s Emergency Operations Centre, said the city would be monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and it “may be necessary to make adjustments.”
“We are anticipating that this morning’s federal and provincial health briefings will provide additional direction and our EOC will be reassessing the situation immediately after those briefings,” she said in an email to The Tri-City News.
Port Coquitlam announced Monday morning it would be shuttering its recreation facilities — including the PoCo community centre, Hyde Creek recreation centre, Terry Fox Library and Leigh Square — as a COVID-19 precaution. Surrey and Delta made similar announcements over the weekend.
But spring break programs are still running in those communities along with licensed daycare services.
“Throughout this situation, we have been guided by the direction of the local, provincial and federal health authorities,” Vincent said. “We respect that they are the medical experts and that they are acting in the best interest of public safety.”
She said the city is undertaking enhanced cleaning measures and has increased the frequency of disinfection of contact surfaces, such as door knobs and countertops. Pool facilities and change rooms are being hosed down more frequently and additional hand-washing notifications have been posted in all facility washrooms.
“We have recommended that everyone take personal precaution measures, follow recommended social distancing practices and do a personal risk assessment before entering civic facilities,” Vincent said. “This includes our city staff, who are directed to stay home if they are unwell.”
For more information and updates, the city is encouraging residents to visit coquitlam.ca/covid19.
