The long weekend is here and the sun is expected to shine, but Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West has a stern message for anyone looking to hang out in local parks to work on their tan.
Stay home.
If you don’t stay home, follow the rules on social distancing in PoCo parks.
If you don’t, expect PoCo parks to be closed.
“With the long weekend coming up and good weather in the forecast I know people are going to want to get outdoors, but it’s absolutely essential and not optional that every single one of us follow the orders of the provincial health officer,” West said in a news release. “We’re stepping up our patrols over the long weekend of popular spots and trails. If people don’t follow the orders, we’ll have no choice but to have more closures.”
Dr. Bonnie Henry advised people to stay two metres (six feet) away from others when in public to slow the spread of COVID-19.
At this time, all parks, trails and parking lots in Port Coquitlam remain open. The city has posted educational signage, distance markers and increased the presence of bylaw and park ambassadors at local parks and trails to remind the public to follow the social distancing requirements, said the city.
Additional staff have been redeployed to the park ambassador team, and they will be wearing high-visibility vests. Tailgate gatherings in parking lots are the latest area of concern, said the city, and will be closely monitored.
Residents who see others not complying with provincial health orders can report incidents with the reporting form posted here for follow-up by bylaw officers.
