RMOW closing all playgrounds, skate park tennis and basketball courts, gathering areas in parks

Visitors asked to not come to Whistler, non-essential facilities will remain closed

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is closing:

• All playgrounds
• Train Wreck trail
• Rainbow Park
• Bayly Park
• Alta Lake Park
• Lost Lake beach area
• skate park and
• all gathering areas in other parks (Alpha Lake, Lakeside) such as beaches, lawns and picnic areas, tennis and basketball courts.

These closures are effective Sunday, March 22 and will remain in effect until further notice.

“Social distancing measures are not optional,” said Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton. “We have had RCMP, Whistler Fire Service and municipal bylaw officers in the community sharing the importance of remaining at least two metres (six feet) away from others. Unfortunately, they report they are still seeing groups congregating, children playing together on playgrounds or on basketball courts. The Prime Minister has said many times recently that everyone needs to stay home and we all need to follow that direction. We are also telling visitors not to come to Whistler.”

On the evening of March 21, Whistler Fire Service and RCMP were called to respond to a large gathering. Exposing our emergency personnel to large groups puts their health and safety at risk and puts the health and safety of our community at risk. The RMOW asks that the public help protect the health of our emergency personnel by not gathering in groups that include individuals beyond household members.

The RMOW asks the public to be vigilant in following social distancing measures:

• Stay at home unless you must go out.
• Avoid social gatherings.
• If you do go out, staying at least two metres (six feet) away from others.

All RMOW facilities will continue to remain closed until further notice. This includes Meadow Park Sports Centre, Whistler Public Library and municipal hall. Municipal services are being made available gradually as the RMOW adjusts to provide these through our workforce working remotely.

Municipal information and updates will continue to be shared at www.whistler.ca. The RMOW encourages the community to visit www.whistler.ca for the latest information and follow our social media channels.

The RMOW's internal Emergency Operations Centre was activated on March 15 at 8:00 a.m. to ensure the continued delivery of essential services during these uncertain times.

The RMOW has plans in place to continue our business as part of our regular emergency planning processes. All municipalities in B.C. are required by the B.C. Emergency Program Act to have a comprehensive emergency management plan in place that outlines how the municipality would manage a variety of community hazards.

Do not go to the Whistler Medical Centre if you are worried about symptoms related to COVID-19. Call the BCCDC’s COVID-19 information line at 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319). Or visit the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) website at www.bccdc.ca.

For the latest information on COVID-19 visit:

BC Centre for Disease Control www.bccdc.ca

Public Health Agency of Canada www.canada.ca/coronavirus

Vancouver Coastal Health www.vch.ca