By Lyonel Doherty
Regional district officials are planning on how to carefully address the expected influx of migrant farm workers in the South Okanagan amidst COVID-19.
Officials met at Loose Bay campground on Thursday to brainstorm ideas and protocols that must be in place when fruit pickers arrive for the season.
And they will arrive, despite the pandemic, said Allan Patton, chair of the Loose Bay Campground Society.
He noted that up to 300 farm workers could be making Loose Bay their temporary home this summer.
“We don’t know what it’s going to be like up here. There could be fewer from Quebec and more locals. There could be more, could be less, could be the same, so we’ve got to be prepared for everything.”
Patton acknowledged there is fear and angst among local residents concerned about farm workers risking transmission of the virus.
“You’re not going to stop them from coming, so we have to flow with the punches. Even if we did close it (Loose Bay), what is that going to do? It’s going to present a whole set of other problems that are even more dangerous.”
Patton said having Loose Bay open offers some control over the situation, particularly if someone gets sick.
“We can’t afford to have this become a problem,” he said.
Area C director Rick Knodel suggested the establishment of an isolation unit at the campground in case someone becomes ill.
Mark Woods, regional district manager of community services, said they can’t have anyone “running to the hospital” if they think they have the virus.
Patton’s first order of business during the meeting at Loose Bay was to drop off two boxes of gloves and sanitary wipes for camp custodian Chris Luckwaldt. This will be followed by some face masks and hand sanitizer.
Patton also noted they are planning to establish more washing stations throughout the camp.
Knodel suggested providing a small laundry facility too.
Patton said he looked into this before but raised the issue of vandalism and breakage.
“I’d rather see them do laundry here than go to town,” he stated.
Talk also focused on establishing wi-fi service at the camp so workers don’t have to go into town.
Patton said the other issue they need to address this summer is the popular French celebration Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day. Both he and Knodel agreed that they can’t condone or allow this celebration during the COVID-19 crisis.
“It will be incumbent on us to police it,” Knodel said. “One bad step and we can jeopardize this whole program (at Loose Bay).”
Patton reiterated they have to be very careful at Loose Bay because they don’t want any outbreaks.
One of the measures that must be followed at the camp is social distancing, which Patton agreed will be a challenge.
On Thursday, regional board members discussed night security on the premises.
The camp is set to open May 1.
