People doing business at Burnaby City Hall will soon need to make an appointment ahead of time as the city looks to limit the number of people in public facilities that are still open.
The move is the latest from the city, which is doing its part to encourage social distancing amid a COVID-19 pandemic.
The rules take effect on Monday, March 23 and will be in place indefinitely.
“To protect the public and to protect our staff from the spread of COVID-19, we want you to do your city business online or over the phone if you can,” said Mayor Mike Hurley in a news release. “If it’s absolutely urgent to do in person, we’re here. But otherwise, this is a time for all of us to take every precaution possible.”
City business, such as paying or disputing fines, can be done remotely online or over the phone. Phone numbers for city departments can be found on the directory page of the city’s website.
Those who can delay their business with the city should do so, officials say.
The city is also cancelling all of its committee meetings and public hearings until further notice, and its regular council meetings will be subject to attendance limitations. The city is urging those who wish to view the meeting to watch the live stream or the archived video afterward.
The meetings will be limited to 50 people total, and staff will be ensuring social distancing, meaning they will not be filling every seat.
Both Hurley and city spokesperson Chris Bryan said they expect the meeting’s agenda to be slimmer than previously planned, as the city focuses on the most important issues to keep the wheels of local government rolling.
The city had considered moving the meetings entirely online, Hurley said earlier this week, with even councillors interacting strictly online. But after reviewing the Community Charter, the provincial legislation that regulates municipalities, the city determined it would need to allow public access to the meetings, Bryan said.
The city will also be looking to reduce staff on-site in a number of ways, Bryan said. For some, that could mean a reduction of work hours, while for others it could mean working from home or working rotating shifts.
However, workers with reduced hours will not have their paycheques reduced as a result, the city assured staff in an email obtained by the NOW.
