The City of Richmond is aiming to have its programs more or less back to normal by Sept. 7 and is closing its emergency operation centre (EOC).
The city is hoping to adjust operations over the summer to line up with changing rules on gatherings, but, like businesses in Richmond, it’s having challenges recruiting staff, explained Serena Lusk, general manager of community services, at Tuesday’s Richmond COVID-19 Community Task Force.
Restart plans include bringing back drop-in programs at city facilities, Lusk added. Throughout the pandemic, participants have had to pre-register for programs at community centres, pools and arenas.
“We’re working towards having more drop-in programming at community facilities where people are used to being able to just come in and treat it as a community space, not just scheduled programs,” Lusk said.
Masks currently remain mandatory at city facilities although the province has lifted this mandate and has made it just a guideline.
The city mask mandate will most likely continue until Sept. 7 as well, Lusk said.
The city was planning to close its emergency operations centre (EOC) on Tuesday night.
“It’s the longest-standing EOC… hopefully we don’t have to set it up too soon for another event,” said Cecilia Achiam, the city’s general manager of community safety.
The EOC was set up early in the pandemic, in March 2020.
The city is anticipating re-opening city hall on Sept. 7 as well.
