COVID-19 Resources & Recovery

Monday, June 14, 2021 – BC’s Restart – Step 2 

With over 65% of BC residents aged 18+ dosed once, plus declining cases and hospitalizations, British Columbia is moving forward with step two of a four-step plan for a careful and safe restart. Step 2 includes:•

• Outdoor gatherings of up to 50 for birthdays, BBQs, etc.
• Indoor seated gatherings of up to 50 (with safety plan)
• Non-essential travel within BC
• Liquor service until midnight
• Small in-person workplace meetings

“This will be our summer of hope and healing from the COVID-19 pandemic.” – Dr. Bonnie Henry

Monday, May 25, 2021 – BC’s Restart – Step 1 

With more than 60% of adults vaccinated with their first dose and COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations steadily declining, British Columbia is moving forward with the cautious first step of a four-step plan for a careful and safe restart. Step 1 includes:

• Ongoing PHO Guidance
  • Physical distancing and masks continue to be required in public indoor settings
  • If you or anyone in your family feels sick stay home and get tested immediately
• Personal Gatherings
  • Outdoor personal gatherings up to 10 people
  • Indoor personal gatherings up to 5 people or 1 other household
  • Examples of a personal gathering include having friends over to your house or meeting up with friends at a park.
• Organized Gatherings
  • Outdoor seated organized gatherings up to 50 people with a COVID-19 Safety Plan
  • Indoor seated organized gatherings up to 10 people with a COVID-19 Safety Plan
  • Examples of an organized gathering include wedding ceremonies or funerals
• Travel
  • Recreational travel within your travel region allowed
  • Non-essential travel between travel regions continues to be restricted
• Businesses
  • Indoor and outdoor dining for groups up to 6 people (not restricted to your household or bubble)
  • Liquor served until 10 pm
• Offices and workplaces
  • Start a gradual return to workplaces
  • Employers must continue to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and daily health check in place
• Sports and exercise
  • Indoor low-intensity group exercise allowed with limited capacity
  • Outdoor games and practices for both adults and youth group/team sports allowed
  • No spectators at any indoor or outdoor sport activities

Visit gov.bc.ca/restartBC to learn more about the Province’s 4-step Restart Plan.

Monday, May 17, 2021 – As of May 16 everyone in BC aged 18+ can book their vaccine appointment.

The wait is over! The COVID-19 vaccine is available to everyone 18+ who lives or works in BC. You must register to book a vaccine appointment:

• https://www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/
• 1-833-838-2323 | translators are available
• Learn more: gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated

Monday, April 26, 2021 – Restrictions on travel between regions of the province

New travel restrictions are now in effect to help slow the spread of COVID-19. There are three new Travel Regions and until May 25, non-essential travel is not allowed between these regions. Fines can be given to people who leave their region for non-essential travel. The three Travel Regions are:

• Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley (Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health)
• Northern/Interior (Northern Health and Interior Health)
• Vancouver Island (Vancouver Island Health)

Everyone is being asked to stay local – do not travel unless it’s for essential reasons. Find more information, including details about the regions, enforcement, and reasons for essential travel, on the Province’s Travel and COVID-19 page.

Update from BC Ferries regarding Provincial Travel Restrictions Order

Starting immediately, in support of the provincial travel restrictions Order announced today by the Province, BC Ferries will deny travel to customers travelling for non-essential reasons on routes crossing regional zones as defined in the Order. Read more on BC Ferries’ website.

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 – Province-wide restrictions extended to May 25 at midnight; Avoid all non-essential travel

• View restrictions
• View travel advisory

NEW! Thursday, April 8, 2021 – Relief funding coming for hard-hit businesses

The B.C. government will provide more than $50 million to help the 14,000 restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, gyms and fitness centres affected by the March 30, 2021, provincial health orders. READ MORE >>

Monday, March 29, 2021 – Between March 29 at 11:59 pm and April 19 at 11:59 pm the PHO is strengthening province-wide restrictions:

• The variance allowing indoor religious gatherings and worship services between March 28 and May 13 is suspended
• Indoor low-intensity group exercise classes are cancelled
• Restaurants, pubs and bars are closed for indoor dining. Outdoor patio seating and take-out or delivery is allowed
• Whistler Blackcomb ski resort is closed

Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 3:45 pm – Provincial Health Officer amends Gathering & Events order:

The PHO has amended the gathering and events order. Up to 10 people may now gather outdoors. All restrictions for indoor gatherings remain in place. For example:

• Up to 10 people may gather at a park or beach
• Up to 10 people may gather in the backyard of a residence
• No gatherings of any size are allowed indoors

Do not gather with several groups of new people – stick to the same people. Continue to use COVID-19 layers of protection and maintain physical distancing.

Visit the BC Government’s Province-Wide Restrictions page for more about the amended order and other ongoing restrictions.

• Be safe, help stop the spread: Please help your community by practicing social distancing, connecting with people virtually and keeping 2 metres (6 feet) between yourself and others when in public. Wash your hands often, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, and always stay home if you are sick.
• Be a good neighbour: If you can do so safely, please check-in with your neighbours to see if they need assistance.
• Help keep sewers clear: Please do not flush sanitizer wipes, paper towels or baby wipes down the toilet. These non-flushable items can block sewers and impact sewer station functions.

How to get vaccinated for COVID-19:

1. Register
2. Book an appointment
3. Get the vaccine

Stay informed on Vaccine bookings and information through the Island Health COVID-19 Vaccine Information page.

• Relief funding coming for hard-hit businesses (posted April 8, 2021)
• Provincial Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant Available (posted February 5, 2021)
• Sooke Chamber of Commerce
• StrongerBC
• Business Recovery Grant Program
• Government of Canada: Managing your business during COVID-19
• WorkSafe BC
• Supports for Non-Profits
• Digital Marketing Bootcamp for Business
• Digital Economy: Rapid Response & Resiliency Program
• Hospitality Community – Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program

BC’s Restart Plan lays out a series of steps that we will take together to protect people and ensure that our province can come back from COVID-19 stronger than before.

Find out more on the BC Restart Plan website.

Sooke Parks

Described as “where the rainforest meets the sea”, Sooke’s natural surroundings define its character. The Sooke Basin, Sooke Harbour and Sooke River are the defining geographic features, as are the Sooke Hills and surrounding mountainous areas, which provide recreation opportunities for residents and visitors. Use our PARKS MAP to explore the outdoors, right here – in your community.

CRD Parks

All CRD Regional Parks remain open. Visitors must adhere to the orders and recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer and maintain social distancing from others. Please be prepared for limited or no access to park amenities such as toilets and garbage cans. Read more >>

• East Sooke Regional Park Map
• Galloping Goose Regional Trail Map
• Mount Wells Regional Park Map
• Regional Parks & Trail System Map
• Sea to Sea Regional Park Map
• Sea to Sea Regional Park Map – Mount Manual Quimper Section
• Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park
• Sooke Potholes Regional Park

SEAPARC Leisure Complex

SEAPARC Leisure Complex located at 2168 Phillips Road is open, with modification in place under Provincial Health Orders. Reserve your space for swimming, skating, or the weight room. For complete offerings and availability, please refer to SEAPARC’s website: seaparc.ca

• Safe Seniors, Strong Communities is a program that matches seniors who need support with non-medical essentials to volunteers in their community who are willing to help.

The COVID-19 pandemic may make us feel confused, sad and anxious. Self-isolation may make us feel separate from some of the activities we used to do to help manage our feelings. It’s important to learn about resources and supports to help you take care of yourself and your family.

• Health Link BC
• Parents & Children: FAQs for Children and Students from BC Centre for Disease Control
• Teens: Anxiety & Youth
• Adults: Here to Help