Emergency Management BC has approved Mayor George Harvie’s request to declare a local state of emergency in Delta.
Effective immediately, this enables Harvie to take actions to support the Provincial Health Officer’s verbal order to limit public gatherings and practice social distancing.
“These are challenging times for residents and businesses in our community,” said Harvie in a news release. “By declaring a local state of emergency, we have additional abilities to protect the community. I have asked our bylaws department to enforce closures on some businesses that are not following the direction of our Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. I continue to work with all of council, staff, and senior government officials to protect this community from the impact of COVID-19.”
Harvie said Delta North MLA Ravi Khalon has been extremely helpful in facilitating the city’s efforts to protect the community, particularly working hard to have the Delta’s request approved so quickly.
Under the local state of emergency, Delta is taking immediate actions against businesses that refuse to abide by the Provincial Health Officer’s directions, including closing the business and suspending the business licence. The city is also working to support the vast majority of Delta businesses that are following the Provincial Health Officer’s directions and understand the importance of limiting the spread of COVID-19, but action will be taken against businesses that are not protecting public health, said Harvie.
