COVID-19 Information & Updates

COVID-19 Pandemic Information

Travel and COVID-19

Source: Government of British Columbia

Review the federal requirements for travel within Canada and find out how to obtain federal COVID-19 proof of vaccination for travel.


BC's Response to COVID-19

Source: Government of British Columbia

Learn about how BC's plan for protecting people and safely getting life back to normal.


Vaccination

Current Health Orders, Guidelines and Statistics

Facts About the COVID-19 Virus

Financial Supports

Mental Health and Well-Being

Talking to Children About COVID-19

Education During School Interruption

Travel


Vaccination

How to Get Vaccinated

Source: Province of British Columbia

Vaccine registration is open for people who are eligible. There are three steps to get vaccinated. Register when it’s your turn, book an appointment and get the vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccine information (Interior Health)

Source: Interior Health

If you are a resident in the Interior Health region, please review this page for information on booking your COVID-19 immunization.

COVID-19 Immunization Plan for British Columbia

Source: Province of British Columbia. 

The information on this page is updated frequently and is subject to change based on vaccine availability and the latest COVID-19 data.


Current Health Orders, Guidelines and Statistics

Province-wide Restrictions - Updated

Source: Province of British Columbia

Details the recent province-wide restrictions on activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

  • Public Health order on province-wide restrictions;
  • Social gatherings and events;
  • Christmas and holiday gatherings;
  • Restaurants and bars;
  • Physical activities and gyms;
  • Sports and extracurricular activities;
  • Mask requirements in indoor public settings;
  • Travel advisory;
  • Enforcement.

COVID-19 BC Support App

The BC COVID-19 Support App is a partnership between the B.C. Ministry of Health and Thrive Health. This app is a central resource for accessing personalized, trusted, evidence-based information about the COVID-19 pandemic. Updates will be made as Provincial guidelines evolve to ensure that you can access the most up-to-date recommendations.


Facts About COVID-19

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Source: HealthLinkBC

This site offers a good summary of information regarding the COVID-19 Coronavirus. 

COVID-19: Accessible Information

Source: National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS)

This is a page of alternative accessible formats of the charts and graphics that news sites, public health agencies, universities and other organizations are using to explain COVID-19 data in easy to understand ways. NNELS created these accessible versions so people with print disabilities or individuals with slower internet connections could access the same data.  The alternate accessible formats include text descriptions and sonifications (audio versions of graphs).

Latest Data on COVID-19

Source: BC Centre for Disease Control

Up-to-date data for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s website.

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Advice for the Public: Mythbusters

Source: World Health Organization

The WHO has a good list of myth busters and easy ways to share their graphics.

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Be Prepared

Source: Government of Canada

The Government of Canada has prepared ways for Canadians (individuals, communities, schools & daycares, and workplaces) to be prepared for this or any other emergency that may occur. It is important to be prepared at the individual and community level for all possible scenarios.

Access to Oxford University Press resources on COVID-19, other coronaviruses, and related topics

Source: Oxford University Press

As part of their response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic across the world, Oxford University Press has made content from online resources and leading journals freely accessible to assist researchers, medical professionals, policy makers, and others who are working to address this health crisis.


Mental Health and Well-Being

Find Help Now - CMHA Kelowna

If you are in an emergency or crisis

  • Call 911, go to the nearest emergency room or follow the emergency instructions provided by your doctor, mental health professional or care team. If your community has a mental health car, you can call 911 to request it.
  • Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) to get help right away, any time of day or night. It’s a free call.
  • Interior Crisis Line: call 1-888-353-2273 24 hours a day to connect to a BC crisis line, without a wait or busy signal. The crisis line operators have received advanced training in mental health issues and services by members of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information.
  • 310Mental Health, 310-6789 for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.
  • Community Response Team (CRT): 250-212-8533 Operates 11:30am-9:00pm seven days a week.
  • Kid’s Help Phone: for children and youth aged 5 to 20. Call 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a professional counsellor or text 686868, 24 hours a day. It’s free, confidential, anonymous and available across Canada. They can also refer you to local services and resources. Kid’s Help Phone is available in English and French.

Coping with COVID-19 

Source: Anxiety Canada

Anxiety Canada offers free digital resources based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) that teach people about anxiety and how to cope. Whether you are struggling with self-isolation, financial hardship, are working on the frontlines, or are simply feeling scared about the future, it’s more important than ever to stay informed about how to take care of your mental health.

 

Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support

Source: Government of Canada, plus partner organizations.

Wellness Together Canada provides free online resources, tools, apps and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals when needed. Educational resources and immediate support crisis lines are available without creating an account. Other mental health services require registration.

Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Source: The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

This site offers professional advice on managing mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak, including reducing anxiety and depression, and helping others with their mental health challenges.

COVID-19 and Anxiety

Source: Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division

Review this helpful advice for coping with anxiety, self-assessment, and helping others.


Talking to Children About COVID-19

Coronavirus: A book for children.

Written by Elizabeth Jenner, Kate Wilson and Nia Roberts. Illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

Source: Candlewick Press

This informative and accessible guide for young readers defines the coronavirus, explains why everyday routines have been disrupted, and lays out how everyone can do their part to help. With child-appropriate answers and explanations, the book addresses several key questions. 

Kidcasts: Coronavirus

Source: Listen Notes Search Engine

Share this collection of science-themed podcasts related to coronavirus with children ages 5 to 12. Includes podcasts from the Fun Kids Science Weekly, Curious Kid Podcast, The Show About Science, Brains On, Tumble Science Podcast for Kids, and YPR: But Why.

Kids Help Phone

Source: Kids Help Phone

“Kids Help Phone is always there for you. No matter what you want to talk about, we’re here to listen. No judgment, totally private, 24/7.” This site provides support for kids on issues that concern them, through phone, text, chat and web-based text and links to community resources. There is also support information for kids concerned about the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Ultimate Kids’ Guide to the New Coronavirus [PDF]

Source: LiveScience.com

Children may be anxious and curious about the new coronavirus. This site explains to them what viruses are, how they function in the body, and their physical and social effects.


Education During School Interruption

Keep Learning

Source: Open School BC

Launched in March 2020; updates are now limited. The site provides a collection of resources for parents and caregivers to help with their child's learning.

Kids and Teens

Source: Okanagan Regional Library

Explore the many free online educational resources provided by the Okanagan Regional Library. Includes digital books for babies and toddlers, kids, teens, and young people with diversabilites.

Homeschooling Help

Source: Okanagan Regional Library

Use this page to find links to free external educational websites.

ORL YouTube Channel

Source: Okanagan Regional Library

ORL is now producing videos of children's story book readings, science and technology activities, oral stories, and songs and rhymes. Come watch them, then subscribe!


Financial Supports

COVID-19: Financial support for people, businesses and organizations

Source: Government of Canada

Read about the federal government measures to provide support to Canadian individuals and businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak, including: families, the sick and quarantined, people facing unemployment, Indigenous communities, seniors, students and farmers. 

COVID-19: Frauds and scams

Source: Government of Canada

Improve your awareness of ongoing frauds and scams that try to use the COVID-19 emergency to cheat, exploit, and misinform people through phone and internet solicitations.

Provincial Support and Information - COVID-19

Source: Government of British Columbia

Review the Government of British Columbia’s measures in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including: child care, education, employment and finances, businesses, housing and monthly bills, transportation, health care, travel and tourism, and reduced services.

Small Business Help Centre - COVID-19

Source: Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Get helpful information on how to protect your business during the COVID-19 outbreak. Topics include: business continuity, EI and employee income, employee management, fraud and business security, health and safety, and employee travel. This site features links to free templates, provincial and federal relief measures, and public health authorities. 

Legal Questions and Answers on COVID-19

Source: Justice Education Society – LegalHelpBC

The COVID-19 situation is rapidly changing and creating many law related questions. LegalHelpBC.ca provides up-to-date answers to legal questions for British Columbians.


Travel

Travel and COVID-19

Source: Province of British Columbia

The provincials government's guidelines for how to travel safely. 

COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders

Source: Government of Canada

This is the Government of Canada’s site for helping travellers assess their risks, find travel health notices, travel safely, register during travel, and advising on what to do upon returning to Canada.

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