December 14, 2020

This week... 

Start your search for the Frosty Bucket, reserve your spot during the Special Skating schedule and check out some of the waste reduction tips to incorporate this holiday season. Read on for more!

Message from Island Health

Nanaimo residents, thank you for helping to flatten the curve and contain the virus. The statistics for the Central Island region have improved. However, there are still 160 people isolating within the Island Health region, and 42% of these are in the Central Island. This is a substantial decrease from two weeks ago, so keep up the good work and please continue to do your part. We still have a long road ahead, but the glimmer of hope is getting brighter.

✔️Continue to limit social interactions to your immediate household only. If you live alone, limit social interactions to one or two people who are already in your safe bubble. This includes both inside and outside the home (i.e. dining out).

✔️Wash your hands often – the easiest way to prevent the spread!

✔️Limit time spent in indoor public settings and wear a mask at all times, except when eating or drinking.

✔️Travel should be limited to essential travel only. Do not travel for a vacation or travel to spend the holidays with friends or family outside of your household or core bubble.

✔️If you’re feeling sick at all, please stay home, self-isolate and visit bc.thrive.health or islandhealth.ca/covid19 to determine your next steps.

You can keep up to date with what’s going on in our region via our COVID-19 dashboard

ISLAND HEALTH COVID-19

Parks, Recreation & Culture Updates

• Register for January Kinderprep at Oliver Woods and Teddy Bears at Bowen Park. There are minimal spaces in others, so please check online. 
• Ongoing swimming available for pre-registered participants, you can book up to 72 hours in advance.
• Spaces available in many Winter Programs (January - March), Register now!
• Ongoing park maintenance and trail cleaning happening in many City Parks, please follow signage.
• StoryWalk® program has been extended into the winter! “Snowmen at Night” by author Caralyn Buehnerwill be in City parks throughout December. Visit it at Oliver Woods Playground Dec 14-18 and Wally Creek Trail by Harry Wipper Field Dec 18-28.
• Check Facebook, Instagram and the website for Family Holiday Activities to try out during the winter break.

PARKS, REC & CULTURE

♻️ Curbside Pickup at Local Businesses

If you are choosing not to shop in-person, there are still ways to support local businesses! Reach out to your favourite shops to see if you can order online or by phone, then pick up your purchase at the curb. Ask the store to reuse a box instead of packing it in plastic.

If you do find you need to make online purchases, here’s some tips to reduce shipping waste:

♻️ Reduce

• Contact the retailers' customer service team and ask them to make a note on your account/order for low waste packaging
• Keep watch for retailers offering low waste packaging options
• Bundle your purchases into as few shipments as possible and avoid 2-day shipping when buying multiple items

♻️ Reuse

• Reuse or repurpose the packaging

♻️ Recycle

• Recycle in your Blue Cart: cardboard, paper wrapping
• Bring to a depot: plastic bubble wrap, all-plastic mailing envelopes and overwrap

ZERO WASTE 101

Council in Action

Missed what decisions Council made during a Special Council meeting or a Regular Council Meeting? Don’t worry. We have you covered! Check out our Council Meeting Summary page for quick overviews.