Lyonel Doherty/Aberdeen Publishing

Times-Chronicle Staff

A $60,000 boost in funding from the Ministry of Agriculture is allowing the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) to continue coordinating COVID-19 safety precautions at Loose Bay Campground near Oliver.

On May 1, Loose Bay Campground, a seasonal facility that has historically catered to domestic temporary workers, opened for the season.

This year, after the independent group managing the campground dissolved, the RDOS became responsible for the site holding a license of occupation on the Crown parcel where Loose Bay Campground is located.

The funding from the ministry will help cover costs associated with hiring an RDOS COVID-19 coordinator, cleaning and hygiene measures, as well as printing educational materials and signage.

The regional district and the province have both stated that camps like Loose Bay are important for providing seasonal accommodations for domestic temporary workers who support farms and tree planting in the area.

“Domestic temporary workers are a designated essential service and they are a crucial and appreciated resource in maintaining part of the food supply system,” said RDOS board chair Karla Kozakevich. “Providing seasonal accommodations at Loose Bay Campground helps agricultural workers remain safe and available for service.”

The RDOS is also in regular communication with the province to identify ways to minimize the health and safety risks posed by the current practice of open camping in the region.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture will be working with farmers and industry associations to ensure farmers understand their responsibilities as employers to promote community and worker health and safety. Once workers arrive at a safe site, they’re encouraged to stay local and avoid all non-essential travel.

All new entry residents at Loose Bay Campground and visitors, such as farmers looking to hire temporary workers, are greeted by the RDOS COVID-19 coordinator for the site and are then required to complete a COVID-19 Self-Assessment before entering the camp. This step is also required for anyone who has been away from the camp for more than 24 hours.

Campers are also provided with a site orientation and discussion about COVID-19 prevention including physical distancing. A copy of the orientation is provided in English and French. In the event an individual is identified as having COVID-19 symptoms, steps are in place to ensure the individual follows provincial health directives.

This includes contacting 811 Health Link and following the directions of a nurse. Next steps would include making arrangements for a COVID-19 test and quarantine if directed by a physician.

In past years, the Loose Bay Campground Society, an independent agricultural industry group has managed the campground. On April 27 of this year, the society voted to dissolve as a result of the complexities of meeting the safety guidelines required by the COVID-19 pandemic. Loose Bay Campground is used by domestic temporary workers as well as tourists and others, sometimes transient and homeless people, many of whom stay several months at a time.

Isolation would be facilitated by Interior Health and coordinated by BC Housing should there be an outbreak, the regional district said.