What happened: The province has secured more than 900 spaces across 23 locations to help British Columbians self-isolate during the current public health crisis.
Why it matters: Hotels, motels and community centres through B.C. are available to vulnerable populations. The initiative is meant to help slow the spread of COVID-19 by offering beds to individuals unable to self-isolate.
Hotels, motels and community centres across the province will help vulnerable populations self-isolate during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The provincial government announced Tuesday that it has secured more than 900 spaces across 23 locations province-wide to help shelter those experiencing homelessness, individuals unable to self-isolate and youth.
“These new spaces are helping us mitigate the effect of this virus and support our health care system in communities across the province,” said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selina Robinson in a news release.
Some hotel rooms will be reserved for individuals who have COVID-19 and need a place to recover in isolation. Spaces will also be available to non-COVID-19 patients who have been discharged from hospitals and who do not need emergency care, but do require ongoing health care.
The province confirmed that local health authorities are working with BC Housing to refer people who are vulnerable and need space to self-isolate. Non-profit societies that have “significant experience” working with vulnerable populations will oversee the day-to-day management of those spaces. Those sheltering at identified hotels, motels and community centres will receive daily meals and on-site staff will provide cleaning services. Health care workers will provide on-site care as needed.
According to the provincial government, additional rooms have ben identified throughout B.C. should need exceed current capacity. There are 939 spaces that have been identified, with some locations already operational.
The province has not released the names of participating hotels and motels. A regional breakdown of available or soon-to-be available spaces follows.
Total: 23 sites, 939 spaces
Vancouver Coastal: 7 sites, 382 spaces
- Squamish: 1 site, 15 spaces
- Vancouver: 6 sites, 367 spaces
- Includes 64 beds at Coal Harbour Community Centre and 79 beds at Roundhouse Community Centre
Fraser: 4 sites, 179 spaces
- Hope: 1 site, 10 spaces
- Surrey: 3 sites, 169 spaces
- Includes 110 beds at North Surrey Recreation Centre
Interior: 9 sites, 211 spaces
- Kamloops: 2 sites, 50 spaces
- Kelowna: 1 site, 20 spaces
- Nelson: 2 sites, 38 spaces
- Includes 8 beds at Kalein Hospice Centre
- Penticton: 2 sites, 19 spaces
- Vernon: 2 site, 84 spaces
- Includes 70 beds at Vernon Curling Club
Vancouver Island: 2 sites, 160 spaces
- Victoria: 2 sites, 160 spaces
North: 1 site, 7 spaces
- Prince George: 1 site, 7 spaces
