Interior Health declares COVID-19 outbreak in the Central Okanagan
Interior Health (IH) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the Central Okanagan due to significant increases in COVID-19 transmission, and is announcing measures to contain the outbreak.
Interior Health measures
IH’s website outlines measures that took effect at midnight on July 28 and that will remain in place for at least 14 days and until the region experiences lower cases and higher vaccination rates.
See Interior Health’s announcement for more details.
For more information about the measures Interior Health is implementing in response to the outbreak, see the Medical Health Officer's Order on Mandatory Face Coverings - Central Okanagan.
What employers need to do
As part of the management of communicable disease in their workplace, employers are required to monitor for communicable disease related information from their regional public health officials and the provincial health officer related to their area and industry, and to follow that guidance and direction should additional measures be necessary in their workplace. Learn more about responding to elevated risk and additional measures you may need to follow in these instances.
Employers in the Central Okanagan are required to follow a mandatory mask order for people 12 and older in all public indoor spaces in the communities of Peachland, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, Kelowna, and Lake Country. See Interior Health’s announcement for specific details.
All employers are reminded that the risks associated with COVID-19 are still present, and that a sustained focus on communicable disease prevention is an essential part of keeping workers and the public safe. WorkSafeBC has a communicable disease prevention guide for employers that provides information and support on how to ensure your plan responds to elevated risks of communicable disease, such as COVID-19, that may occur at a local or regional level or within a workplace.
WorkSafeBC will share any specific workplace health and safety guidance stemming from these measures, but continue to visit the Interior Health website for the latest updates.