PORT COQUITLAM, BC – Mar. 17, 2020…The City of Port Coquitlam is calling on local businesses to take action to slow down the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Following the directions being provided by the Provincial Medical Officer yesterday, businesses are being asked to take all the necessary steps to limit gatherings of more than 50 people and to maintain the appropriate social distancing measures.

“We are asking businesses to adhere to these guidelines given the seriousness of the situation,” said Mayor Brad West. “We’ve all heard reports of large crowds in big box retail stores and in restaurants and pubs. Businesses can now play a critical role in helping to keep our residents safe during these extraordinary times.”

Some measures businesses can take include:

• Limiting occupancy to ensure there is social distancing of one metre between people.
• Controlling occupancy to ensure there are no areas where more than 50 people will gather.
• Putting limits in place on popular products so that all our residents have access to necessities.
• Increasing cleaning of public touchpoints in your business.
• Offering special shopping hours for vulnerable populations, such as seniors, to ensure they get access to products.
• Providing delivery services.

City staff will be proactively reaching out to businesses in the coming days to help them meet the new provincial requirements and to respond to complaints of overcrowding.

“We will be monitoring businesses efforts to meet the guidelines and if they’re not we will have to take additional regulatory measures to make sure public health is protected,” added West.

West is also strongly encouraged citizens to visit local businesses when they shop for necessities. “All businesses – and particularly smaller ones – will be feeling the pinch as they are forced to change or scale back their operations for the sake of public health. We urge our residents to keep your shopping dollars in Port Coquitlam as much as possible,” West said. 

This is the latest proactive action Port Coquitlam has taken to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The city closed all civic facilities to the public yesterday and postponed a number of upcoming events to ensure the safety of residents.

The city encourages businesses facing challenges to turn to supports and resources provided by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Port Coquitlam Business Association. Links are available on the city’s website.

Port Coquitlam’s emergency preparedness program also includes information to support business resiliency. Visit the Business Preparedness section at portcoquitlam.ca/ep for information and to download the Emergency Preparedness Toolkit for Businesses.

For more information and updates, please visit the City’s website at portcoquitlam.ca/covid19.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Admin Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5335 Cel 604.218.0533
Email purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca