Courtenay City Council and staff have been rapidly evolving operations in response to the COVID-19 (Novel coronavirus) crisis. A number of initiatives are underway with the Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness and other organizations to focus on quick, practical solutions to support our most vulnerable populations, including:

• Opening the washrooms at the Sid Williams Theatre Plaza and Simms Park, with enhanced cleaning and security protocols to protect both washroom users and City staff
• Authorizing emergency funding through the Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness to support the continued operations of several local agencies while they wait for provincial and federal support. Funding will be distributed as follows:

• Comox Valley Care-a-van - $5,000
• LUSH Valley Food Action Society - $5,000
• Comox Valley Food Bank - $5,000
• Comox Valley Transition Society - $2,500

• Loaning outdoor tent canopy to the Comox Valley Food Bank to support physical distancing requirements as they work to resume operations
• Updated April 1, 2020: Shower facilities are now available at Lewis Park (accessed from the west end of the Lewis Centre, near the outdoor skateboard park.) Comox Valley Transition Society staff will be on site to provide support. Showers available 7:30 - 11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, with towels and toiletries provided.

For Courtenay’s business community, Council will be voting on Monday to extend the deadline for annual flat commercial utility billing.

Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells says the City has been working hard to adjust operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is just the beginning of what we expect will be a long, tireless effort to adapt to this extraordinary global health emergency. We’re also advocating for provincial and federal support on numerous fronts, including housing options for the homeless, as well as broader support for residents and our business community. This has affected our society’s entire way of life. Our Council and staff are laser-focused on supporting our community through this crisis.”

The City of Courtenay is participating in a regional Emergency Operations Centre along with representatives from the DND/19-Wing Comox, K'ómoks First Nation, Comox Valley Regional District,  Town of Comox, Village of Cumberland, Fire Chiefs Association, and many other external agencies and organizations to collaborate on COVID-19 response measures and best practices for the region.

Residents are encouraged to please follow the CVRD social media channels @comoxvalleyrd on Facebook and Twitter, as well as visiting the CVRD website www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/covid19 to remain up to date on accurate information. All Comox Valley local governments are centralizing regional COVID-19 information through these channels. The Emergency Operations Centre is standing by to support the lead agencies, Ministry of Health and Island Health, if requested at the federal and provincial level.