Evening Update for April 3, 2020

There are two more new cases of COVID-19 in the Island Health Region, bringing the total to 74. Across BC, there are 53 new cases, pushing the provincial total to 1174. There have been four more deaths in other jurisdictions. Yesterday the Island Health region recorded two of the first deaths here. Today, both the Provincial Health Officer and the Minister of Health spoke strongly about the need to follow orders. Dr. Bonnie Henry called it "maintaining our firewall." She says all travellers must obey federal quarantine orders, while the rest of us need to stay home and not gather together so we can prevent cases from rising at a higher rate. Minister Adrian Dix called on the federal government to take stronger action by setting up "a strong, robust presence at airports and borders.There will be major reductions to BC Ferries routes and sailings starting tomorrow. The Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay route will be temporarily suspended, along with the Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay route. Duke Point to Tsawassen sailings will be cut in half to four round trips per day, but four, cargo shipment-only sailings will be added. The number of sailings on the Swartz Bay to Tsawassen route has been also cut in half. Northern and mid-coast routes will continue on the winter, off-peak schedule. The ferry corporation says details on reductions to service to the southern Gulf Islands will be announced soon. BC Ferries says travel has dropped by 80 percent and that's why it has laid off 1400 employees. The BC Ferry and Marine Workers Union says it expected some layoffs, but says today's announcement blindsided the union and may be in violation of the collective agreement. The Mayor of Nanaimo says the city is trying to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by installing temporary washrooms and portable hand washing stations downtown. But Leonard Krog rejects calls from Nanaimo's Homelessness Coalition to allow permanent outdoor camping in parks. Krog believes that could increase the chances of the virus taking hold in a vulnerable population. The Mayor is expecting the Ministry of Housing to make announcements about alternative shelters and isolation sites in the coming weeks. Nanaimo lost 40 emergency shelter beds this week, with the closure of the cold weather shelter at St. Paul's church hall, and 17 other beds have been closed at other shelters in order to ensure people are sleeping two meters apart.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: [email protected]: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.