An empty Sun Bowl Arena Monday. The Town of Osoyoos has closed the facility until further notice. Dale Boyd/Osoyoos Times

Updated 9:20 a.m. March 17, 2020

Osoyoos Times Staff

The Town of Osoyoos announced it is closing multiple facilities Monday.

The Sonora Community Centre, Sun Bowl Arena, Desert Park, the Fire Hall, Tennis Courts and the Osoyoos Regional Library are closed until further notice as part of protective measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Starting March 16 the town has consolidated customer service operations to the front counter located at Town Hall (8707 Main St.) and the Planning Office (8711 Main St.).

Residents are being asked to only come to Town Hall/Planning if absolutely necessary, and are encouraged to take advantage of available online services or to contact Town Hall by phone 250-495-6515 or email at [email protected] as their first point of contact.

The Osoyoos RCMP detachment front counter will also be closed to the public, Sgt. Jason Bayda informed media in an email Tuesday.
“We will not be conducting criminal records checks or other certain non-emergency operations at this time.  These drastic measures are undertaken to ensure our officers remain healthy and able to respond to all emergency calls for service.  For non-emergency police assistance please call 250-495-7236. For emergencies call 911,” the email states.

The following are contacts for the closed local facilities:

The following facilities will remain open:

The town is advising that a variety of payment methods are available:

  • Mail
  • Drop off payment slot at Town Office (8707 Main St.)
  • Telephone/Internet Banking*/Post Dated Cheques
  • Bill payment with your local Financial Institution

*If making your payment through Telephone or Internet banking your account number is the folio/roll number located at the top right of your tax notice.  Enter with no spaces and no decimals, i.e. 55600987000.

Local impact and cancellations

Okanagan Regional Library branches are closed until further notice and the Oliver Senior Centre is closed. BC Provincial Courts stated that it is reducing court operations while ensuring meaningful access to the court for those with urgent matters. The Osoyoos United Church Thrift Shop announced it would be closed until further notice on Facebook Monday.

• Read more: BC Government joint statement on B.C.’s COVID-19 response and latest updates

Most if not all previously scheduled events in Oliver and Osoyoos have been postponed or cancelled to prevent the spread of the virus. The Oliver Legion has cancelled all events and dinners until further notice.

Nk’Mip RV Park announced on Facebook it will not be taking any guests, reservation or not and guests should call the front desk for a refund.

The Venables Theatre in Oliver has rescheduled the upcoming Montreal Guitar Trio concert to Nov. 30. Elvis on Tour live has been postponed indefinitely, originally scheduled for April 10, and refunds are being issued. Herb Dixon, scheduled for May 9, has been postponed indefinitely and refunds are being issued. Box office hours from Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. remain in effect at the theatre.

“We will inform you of the status of our shows in April as soon as possible,” a statement on the Venables Theatre website reads. “We are working with the artists and promoters for the remaining shows and will keep our patrons updated as more information becomes available.”

• Read more: Canada closes borders with exceptions for residents, U.S., B.C. discourages travel from U.S.

BC Government information on COVID-19: 

To view the provincial health officer’s order on mass gatherings, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics

For more information on B.C.’s updated testing strategy and self-isolation, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing-isolation

For recommendations on protecting yourself and your community, visit:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)

For the COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and planning materials, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/pandemic-influenza.

For more information and latest updates on COVID-19, follow the BC Centre for Disease Control on Twitter @CDCofBC or visit the centre’s website: http://www.bccdc.ca/

For the latest audio clips of COVID-19 media availabilities, visit: https://soundcloud.com/bcgov