COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

We are in Step 3

The criteria for Step 3 is at least 70% of the 18+ population vaccinated with dose 1, along with low case counts and declining COVID-19 hospitalizations. In Step 3, all sectors will transition to using communicable disease prevention guidance from WorkSafeBC.

Mask guidance

Council considered a motion at their Regular Meeting of Council on Tuesday, July 6, to rescind the RMOW’s corporate mask-wearing policy in our facilities and follow the province’s Step 3 guidelines on mask-wearing.

Starting Wednesday, July 7, RMOW facilities will recommend mask wearing in line with the province’s recommendations for indoor public settings for all people 12 and older who are not yet fully vaccinated.

You're fully vaccinated 14 days after dose 2
Masks are optional for children aged 2 to 12
Children under 2 should not wear masks
Proof of vaccination does not need to be requested by service providers
Some people may choose to continue to wear a mask after they're fully vaccinated and that's okay

Please follow all Public Health Orders and recommendations:

Stay at least 2 metres (6 feet) from others in public. Give others space to keep their distance too.
If you or anyone in your family feels sick stay home and get tested immediately

View the Provincial Restart Plan and Step 3 guidance

COVID-19 Vaccination

For information on the COVID-19 immunization program, visit vch.ca/vaccine.

June 18: Vancouver Coastal Health: COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Drop-in appointments are available at all vaccination clinics for individuals eligible for their first dose.

Eligible people aged 12 and older who haven't received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, can register online to pre-book an appointment or drop-in to a clinic location most convenient for them.

Be sure to register to be notified for your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

If you got your first dose of vaccine:

As a senior, Indigenous person or person who is clinically extremely vulnerable who booked dose 1 through their health authority before April 6
As a health-care worker or priority frontline worker before May 3
People who got dose 1 of AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD at a local pharmacy
In long-term care or assisted living
At a community outreach clinic in Whistler or Squamish

You must register at gov.bc.ca/GetVaccinated in order to be notified when it's time for your second dose.

COVID-19 Testing

If you or anyone in your family feels sick stay home and get tested immediately

Visit whistlermedicalclinic.com/covid for details on how to get a COVID-19 test in Whistler.

Find additional medical support in Whistler at https://divisionsbc.ca/sea-sky

COVID-19 Fact Sheet: February 12, 2021
COVID-19 poster: Five common questions
Download the Isolation Preparedness Guide

Stay informed

Visit whistler.ca for the latest news from the Resort Municipality of Whistler including advisories and notifications or follow the RMOW on social media. View the channel directory at whistler.ca/GetInvolved.

Social services

Whistler Community Services Society is able to provide assistance to anyone in our community struggling with proper self isolation. Whether you need food, hygiene products, financial assistance and connectivity- support is available.

Book an appointment with an outreach worker at mywcss.org/contact-outreach/.

There are a variety of programs and resources available to support the health and wellbeing of the Whistler community throughout the COVID-19 situation. For more information about local, provincial and federal resources, visit the Community health and social services page.

Whistler Alert

Whistler Alert is Whistler’s emergency notification system. It is used only during emergencies where there is an immediate threat to lives or property. For example: an evacuation alert or order, shelter in place order or boil water notice.

RMOW operations and facilities: COVID-19 safety plan

The Resort Municipality of Whistler is committed to protecting the health and safety of its residents, visitors and staff. WorkSafe BC requires a COVID-19 Safety Plan for any business resuming operations following interruptions due to COVID-19.

Facility-specific procedures have also been introduced to ensure safe operations as RMOW programs and services resume. Learn more.

View the RMOW's COVID-19 Safety Plan and procedures.

It is important to note that the RMOW takes direction from Vancouver Coastal Health when it comes to decisions on public health issues. They are the lead agency on all public health matters in Whistler and are responsible for ensuring the health and safety and providing direction to the community if there were to be an outbreak. VCH works in concert with the BC Centre for Disease Control and the Public Health Agency of Canada and is the best organization to respond to questions about efforts to prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

Whistler Recovery Working Group

Two working groups comprised of community-wide representatives were formed in 2020 to coordinate Whistler's COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. Taking key information from community input as well as sector groups, the Whistler Recovery Working Group and the Social Services Working Group are helping to identify key short term actions for the municipality and other organizations toward pandemic recovery. Learn more.

RMOW Council presentations

April 21: Emergency Operations Centre update
April 7: Emergency Operations Centre update

News Releases

All RMOW News Releases

2021

2020

December 22: Feed the Need supports local food banks
November 27: BC Transit mandatory face covering policy update
November 20: New provincial measures to help slow spread of COVID-19
November 10: Whistler Mayor appeals to community to help keep Whistler open
October 28: Whistler Public Library welcomes the community with Express Visits
September 2: As long weekend approaches, RMOW reminds COVID-19 fines are possible
August 18: BC Transit to hand out face coverings in Whistler
August 14: What to know before heading to Whistler
August 6: BC Transit to mandate use of face coverings
August 6: Meadow Park Sports Centre reactivates additional programs and facilities
July 30: Whistler wants to remind visitors "COVID-19 is not on vacation"
July 9: RMOW moves to contactless Kids on the Go registration for Fall 2020
July 8: Community Conversations to bring Whistler together to discuss COVID-19 experiences
June 12: RMOW Council approves streamlined approval process for temporary patios
June 9: Summer transportation operations modified due to COVID-19
May 29: Municipal hall to re-open for customer service June 1
May 28: Whistler Public Library launches Library to Go program
May 28: Temporary patio area expansions for Whistler food and beverage establishments
May 19: Public reminded to make smart choices when outside in Whistler's opened parks and trails
May 7: Council approves major changes to 2020 municipal budget
April 28: COVID-19 pandemic prompts budget review
April 20: Squamish-Lillooet Regional District communities launch "Feed the Need" program to support local food banks
April 8: Resort Municipality of Whistler outlines physical distancing expectations for Easter long weekend
April 8: Communities in Squamish-Lillooet Regional District ask visitors not to come
April 3: Resort partners collaborate to relocate Whistler Food Bank.
April 2: Resort Municipality moves more services online
March 26: COVID-19 response update
March 22, 2020: RMOW closing all playgrounds, skate park, tennis and basketball courts and gathering areas in parks
March 19: Resort Municipality of Whistler News Release- COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Disease in Whistler
March 19: Whistler Today Newsletter on COVID-19 response in Whistler
March 17:In response to the BC Ministry of Education's decision to indefinitely suspend all public schools until further notice, the RMOW will continue to offer full-day Kids on the Go programming for the children of parents who are required to attend their workplace to provide essential community services.
March 16: RMOW closing all non-essential facilities and programs

Mayor’s messages

View all video updates from Mayor Jack Crompton

2021

June 24: Mayor Crompton's COVID-10 video update
June 16: Mayor Crompton's COVID-10 video update
May 26: Mayor Crompton's COVID-10 video update
May 21: Mayor Crompton's COVID-10 video update
May 13: Mayor Crompton's COVID-10 video update
May 6: Mayor Crompton's COVID-10 video update
April 29: Mayor Crompton's COVID-10 video update
April 14: Mayor Crompton's COVID-10 video update
March 31: Mayor Crompton's COVID-10 video update
March 29: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
March 25: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
March 17: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
March 11: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
March 3: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
February 23: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
February 19: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update (featuring Dr. Kausky)
February 8: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
February 2: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
January 29: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update (featuring Dr. Kausky and Dr. Bayley)
January 25: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
January 18: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
January 12: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
January 5: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update

2020

December 30: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
December 23: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
December 14: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
December 7: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
November 27: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
November 21: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
November 13: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
November 11: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
November 6: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
October 30: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
October 23: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
October 16: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
October 9: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
October 2: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
September 25: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
September 18: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
September 8: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
August 21: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
August 14: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
August 6: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
July 24: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
July 21: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
July 17: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
July 11: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
July 3: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
June 25: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
June 19: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
June 12: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
June 4: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
May 28: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
May 22: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
May 19: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
May 15: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
May 8: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
May 6: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
April 30: A message from Mayor Jack Crompton
April 29: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
April 24: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 update
April 18: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
April 3: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
April 1: Mayor Crompton's covid-19 video update
March 27: Mayor Crompton's COVID-19 video update
March 25: Message to visitors from Mayor Jack Crompton
March 20, 2020: Message from Mayor Jack Crompton
March 16: Message from Mayor Jack Crompton
March 14:
Mayor Jack Crompton has shared a statement on the temporary closure of Whistler Blackcomb.

The RMOW has activated its Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) to ensure we can continue to provide important community services during these challenging times.

Community COVID-19 Information Session

On January 21, Mayor Crompton and Whistler Council joined doctors from the Whistler Health Care Centre and community leaders to share updates about the latest COVID-19 situation in Whistler and the steps being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Questions and answers from the session is posted below. Please note, this document will be updated as we receive responses from our panelists. If you were not able to attend the session, please email your questions to communications@whistler.ca.

Session panelists included:

Dr. John Harding, Medical Health Officer- Sea to Sky, Vancouver Coastal Health
Dr. Olivia Bailey and Dr. Karin Kausky, Whistler Health Care Centre
Lisa McCullough, Superintendent School District 48 (Sea to Sky)
Jackie Dickinson, Executive Director, Whistler Community Services Society
Geoff Buchheister, Chief Operating Officer, Whistler Blackcomb
Virginia Cullen, Chief Administrative Officer, Resort Municipality of Whistler
Barrett Fisher, President and CEO, Tourism Whistler
Melissa Pace, CEO Whistler Chamber of Commerce

Business guidelines for a safe restart

All B.C. businesses are required to have a COVID-19 safety plan and will gradually transition to new communicable disease plans. The guidelines for these plans were released by WorkSafeBC on June 28, 2021. These guidelines were developed in consultation with public health and businesses and will continue to be supported by WorkSafeBC and the PHO as they transition during Step 3 of BC's restart plan. For what you need to know to keep employees, the community and visitors safe, visit the whistler.ca/saferestart page.

Public health

If you are concerned about COVID-19 symptoms, do not go to the Whistler Medical Centre. Call 8-1-1 and follow the directions you are given.

VCH advises the most important steps residents and visitors can take to protect themselves and our community from COVID-19 are:

Wash your hands often and avoid touching your face.
Stay home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms.
Limit contact with people who appear to be ill.

Additional information is available at:

Vancouver Coastal Health: www.vch.ca
BC Centre for Disease Control: www.bccdc.ca
Public Health Agency of Canada: www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html

Emergency planning

Emergency planning is core to the work a municipality does to ensure we can continue to provide services to the community, whether planning for a pandemic, flood or wildfire. We are required by provincial legislation to have a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan in place that outlines how we would continue essential municipal services if facing a hazard in the community. We encourage all residents to visit whistler.ca/emergency to find out how to prepare for any emergency that may affect our community.