Important updates from VICA regarding COVID-19
Starting March 18, 2020, our Nanaimo office (map) will be closed until further notice.
Our Victoria office (map) will still be operating, however, it will be closed to the public. The Victoria office will be offering members statutory declaration service, copy order services, and will have staff answering phones during our regular hours of operation.
All statutory declarations and copy order pick-ups must be made by appointment, by either calling 250-999-8942 or emailing Lauren.
During this time of unprecedented concern as we collectively navigate the impact of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) takes the safety and well-being of our community, members and colleagues very seriously.
In the wake of recent announcements from federal and provincial health officials surrounding COVID-19, we would like to provide you with an update on the actions we, the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) is taking in response to the direction set out by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO).
As we consider the safety and health of our community paramount, it is our duty to support and reflect the intentions and efforts of our governments as it addresses COVID-19. As a result, we have canceled our annual Vancouver Island Construction Conference scheduled for April 16, 2020 and we have deferred our 2020 Annual Awards Gala of May 8, 2020 to a later date. If you have purchased tickets, we will be providing full refunds.
In addition, we have suspended all VICA member events and activities, including those of both our Women in Construction and Under 40 networks. Further, we will also be reviewing our scheduled in-person training and education programming and possibly deferring those as well. We will notify registrants immediately of any changes or cancellations.
For the most part, we will continue to conduct business as usual as the circumstances dictate. We are taking steps to ensure the health and safety of our Victoria and Nanaimo staff members; including working from home when necessary and asking staff members to self-isolate if they do feel ill. We will continue to work to serve our members.
HealthLinkBC’s website has information about COVID-19, including how it is transmitted, symptoms and precautions individuals can take to prevent infection. Each of us can help slow the spread of this virus by washing our hands often, by practicing “social distancing” and by staying home when sick.
Of course, safety is always a priority on job sites, and managing the risk of COVID-19 should be no exception. While many companies are re-evaluating their work-from-home policies in preparation for what might come, it’s recognized that tradespeople can’t work from home. As such, employers are strongly encouraged to have a clear policy regarding when workers should stay home, enforce sanitary standards in portable washrooms, and keep hand sanitizer stocked when running water isn’t available.
Employers should also provide common-sense advice about the simple actions that employees can take to reduce the risk. The most important thing individuals can do to prevent infection is to wash their hands regularly and avoid touching their face.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as we can.
Available for Interviews
Rory Kulmala
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Vancouver Island Construction Association
Media Contact
Vancouver Island Construction Association
Owen O’Rourke
Communications Coordinator
(250) 800-1722
comms.events@vicabc.ca
About VICA
VICA is a member-based, industry-led association serving the industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-family residential construction sectors across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and coastal British Columbia, including Powell River. With bases in Victoria and Nanaimo, VICA connects the industry with skilled labour, training and education, and business development opportunities.