PORT COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) — Bylaw officers will be out in Port Coquitlam this weekend ensuring local businesses are following COVID-19 protocols, according to the city’s mayor.
Brad West says all indoor group fitness classes have been cancelled for the next two weeks in Port Coquitlam following regional COVID-19 restrictions announced Saturday.
“We’re covering more ground within the community,” he says. “Our number one responsibility is educating and promoting what everyone in our community has to do, and, fortunately, our experience has been that people want to do the right thing.”
Per the new orders of the Provincial Health Officer, the @CityofPoCo is immediately cancelling all indoor group fitness classes, including Aquafit, for the next two weeks.
Anyone registered in impacted programs will be contacted by our staff for full refunds.
Stay safe!
— Brad West (@BradWestPoCo) November 7, 2020
He’s urging people to be patient and cooperate with the new guidelines to help slow the spread of the virus.
“We’ve seen numbers in the last couple of days that were really unthinkable just a few months ago. Now is time for us to buckle down and get this virus under control,” West adds.
B.C. has seen a dramatic increase in cases, reaching more than 400 infections in a 24-hour period last week only to shatter that record a day later with nearly 600 cases.
West says more bylaw officers have been hired and the hours, as well as days of operation, have been increased to help ensure compliance.
“Really our role is to be eyes and ears in the community, and if we find a situation that requires the attention of those authorities that have more powers, then we work hand-in-glove to coordinate that,” he says, adding police and provincial inspectors have the power to issue tickets.
West says members of the public have been the greatest source of information for situations that need attention.
“I understand people’s frustration, I share it. But the answer to that frustration is for us to really do our best to follow these orders,” he says. “Remember why this is important and hopefully we’re looking at better days in the not-too-distance future.”