Evening News Update for May 13 2020

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Chief Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provide an update on COVID-19 / via Province of BC Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

NANAIMO—There has been another death from COVID-19 in BC over the past 24 hours, and once again, the death occurred at a long term care home in the Fraser Health region, bringing the province-wide death count to 132. There were 16 new cases of the virus, but for the sixth day in a row, there were no new cases in the Island Health region. BC's Provincial Health Officer says 78 per cent of those who contracted COVID-19 have now recovered. Dr. Bonnie Henry says currently, there are 385 active cases in the province and no new cases at any of the community outbreaks at the Mission prison or the lower mainland poultry plants.

Dr. Henry is reminding British Columbians not to expand their household bubbles until after the May long weekend, and she is offering some tips on how to do it safely. She says it’s all about location, duration and relations. Henry says meeting outdoors is best, the shorter the visit and the smaller the group the better, safe physical distancing must be maintained and she is recommending to make a pact with whomever you expand your circle with to not include others and stick with that one expanded bubble, do not add more bubbles. And Henry is recommending against expanding your bubble if anyone in your household is a senior, has an underlying health condition or is awaiting surgery.

The city of Nanaimo and the Regional District are expanding where you may spend your outdoor time, starting Thursday. Playgrounds will remain closed, but tennis courts and other sports courts throughout the region will be open. The bike park at Steve Smith park and the pump track at Beban Park will reopen, so will all gated off-leash dog parks. The Huxley Skate Park will reopen. However, the Cedar Skate Park will not be open until May the 21st. There are new rules that go with the re-openings...for example, tennis is for single play only, equipment must be cleaned and not shared, hand washing is required before and after play, safe physical distancing must be maintained and in the city, tennis courts and pickleball courts are singles only unless you are playing with your own household. The city says it is working on plans to reopen recreation centers, arenas and pools, as well as City-owned cultural venues. Those openings will depend on new guidelines being developed with the Ministry of Health, WorkSafe BC and other professional organizations.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Nanaimo says he likes the idea of closing Commercial Street to traffic, to help restaurants expand their outdoor spaces. Leonard Krog did not commit to the idea, but he joined a list of cities, including Victoria that are exploring it. The Attorney-General's Ministry decides liquor licenses and it says work is underway to support the restaurant sector, including ways to fast track the process for expanded patio service.

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Lisa Cordasco

Senior Reporter and News Director — Lisa is responsible for creating the station's first morning news current affairs show on CHLY. She is also deeply involved in training and mentoring student and citizen journalists who volunteer their time at the station. Before joining CHLY, Lisa spent 35 years in various roles at CBC Radio, from host to reporter. Her passion for journalism and radio has led her to Nanaimo, where she intends to provide CHLY listeners with news they can use, in an alternative radio environment. Her other not-so-secret passion is costuming for any occasion.

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