Afternoon Update for March 20th, 2020.

NANAIMO —The federal government says it will turn back asylum-seekers who try to enter Canada outside of official border points. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the move is part of what he calls "a new set of extreme measures to stop the spread of COVID 19". A separate agreement to close the Canada-US border to all but essential travel, trade and commerce will begin at midnight tonight.

7-11 has confirmed a case of COVID-19 at one of its stores in Ladysmith. The Nanaimo News Bulletin is reporting the 7-11 on Esplanade Avenue will be closed until April the 2nd, in order to thoroughly clean and sanitize it. Currently, there are 22 confirmed cases of the virus on Vancouver Island.

Pacific Coastal Airlines will temporarily suspend operations starting next Wednesday. The company hopes to resume operations five and a half weeks later, on May the 3rd. PCA President Quentin Smith says the suspension is due to decreased demand for travel. Pacific Coastal says it is contacting its customers who have reservations for travel after the 25th and is advising others who are trying to get home that they can change their reservations without having to pay any extra fees or charges.

The United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island division is launching a fundraising appeal to help the region's most vulnerable citizens during the COVID 19 pandemic. It's "Local Love in a Crisis" campaign will focus on vulnerable seniors, food security, basic needs, mental health supports and the safety of underserved populations. If you would like to donate to the campaign, you can do so online. The website address is: uwcnvi.ca/covid-19.

The city of Nanaimo's Parks and Recreation Department is using the policy of closing its facilities to start on projects that would normally take place in the summer and fall. Parks and Recreation are moving up the dates of annual maintenance at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and Beban Park Pool. Staff is hoping to do the work now means the swimming pools won't have to close in August and September when maintenance normally takes place

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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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