Introduction / Key Elements

COVID-19

PANDEMIC RESPONSE

The COVID-19 pandemic moved into its second year with continued public health restrictions. This required the CSRD to be adaptable and responsive, especially as health orders evolved with the changing waves of the pandemic. The essential work of the CSRD may have required continued adjustments and work-arounds, however, we were up to the task. As an organization, the CSRD demonstrated leadership by supporting measures to protect the safety of the public and staff, while continuing to demonstrate high standards of service to our citizens.

Key Elements:

The CSRD’s Return to Work COVID-19 Policy and Return to Work Recovery Plan continued to evolve with changes to public health directives. The use of masks, Plexiglas barriers, sanitizers and disinfectants remained prevalent in the CSRD administrative offices, landfill and transfer stations, and other CSRD public facilities such as the Golden and Sicamous Arenas. Across all departments, the CSRD continued to support and encourage staff to work from home wherever possible to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. To support and enhance B.C.’s pandemic response, the CSRD also developed a policy to require COVID-19 proof of vaccinations for all elected officials, CSRD employees, paid on-call volunteer firefighters, contractors working in indoor spaces and emergency management volunteers. Scientific evidence has shown that COVID-19 vaccines are one of the best control measures available to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the severity of illness. Accommodations for legitimate medical reasons, as well as protected grounds under the BC Human Rights Code, are recognized in the policy. The Proof of Vaccination Policy was passed unanimously by the Board in November and came into effect January 3, 2022.