Creston, BC December 8, 2020: Staying local over the holidays will be an important part of reducing the spread of COVID-19 within our community. Town of Creston Council and staff encourage you to shop locally, supporting businesses that have worked hard to put COVID-19 safety measures in place throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Remember to shop safely, wear your non-medical mask or face covering in all indoor public spaces, maintain physical distance between you and others, and wash/sanitize your hands often.
Extension of Provincial Health Officer Orders: On December 7, the Provincial Health Officer extended her Order on Events and Gatherings. Dr. Bonnie Henry stated, “The orders that we have had in place have started to have an impact on the transmission of the virus in British Columbia. However, transmission remains high and we need to continue our efforts to reduce social interactions and stop the spread. The provincial health officer’s orders restricting all gatherings and events have today been extended through to Jan. 8, 2021, at midnight. This includes gatherings in people’s homes and in public venues. The same requirements and exemptions from the published orders continue to apply, with one new change: drive-through and drive-in to drop off people and leave events, as well as drive-in and stay in your car events to a maximum of 50 cars are now allowed. To view the Order visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions?utm_campaign=20201118_GCPE_AM_COVID_1_NOTIFICATION_BCGOV_BCGOV_EN_BC__NOTIFICATION
$1000.00 B.C. Recovery Benefit: Today, the B.C. government introduced legislation to secure funding for approximately 3.7 million British Columbians to receive the tax free B.C. Recovery Benefit. Passage of the bill will ensure British Columbians can apply for the benefit starting on December 18, 2020:
- $1,000 for families with incomes under $125,000. Families earning up to $175,000 will qualify for a reduced benefit amount. Single-parent families also qualify for these benefit amounts.
- $500 for single people earning less than $62,500. Single people earning up to $87,500 will qualify for a reduced benefit amount.
To Apply:
- Starting Dec. 18, visit: gov.bc.ca/recoverybenefit
- Starting Dec. 21, agents will be available by phone to assist people who need help applying, including those who do not have internet access.
- Starting Dec. 21, phone-based support will be available at 1 833 882-0020 toll-free within North America, Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific time).
Provincial State of Emergency Extended: The Province of British Columbia has formally extended the provincial state of emergency, allowing health and emergency management officials to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act to support the Province's COVID-19 pandemic response until December 22, 2020. To read more visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PSSG0064-002021
Media Contact:
Kirsten Dunbar
EOC Information Officer
kirsten.dunbar@creston.ca
250 428-2214 (231)