Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
By Pete McIntyre

School District issues memo on coronavirus

Feb 5, 2020 | 12:38 PM

The Vernon School District has sent a memo to all its staff and students’ families, updating them on concerns about the coronavirus.

In the memo, District 22 Superintendent Joe Rogers said staff members are in regular communication with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and the local health authority to make public health decisions, and to ensure students and employees are kept informed and safe.

“The Ministry of Education understands that school district staff, students and communities may have questions about coronavirus. Please know that the Ministry is in regular communication with the Ministry of Health and provincial and local health authorities to make public health decisions, and to ensure students and school/district staff are kept informed and safe,” Rogers said in the memo sent out Tuesday.

The district is asking students and staff to not make assumptions about the risk of students or staff based on their ethnicity or travel history.

“Misinformation regarding coronavirus is starting to circulate on social media. We encourage students, staff and their families to refer to official sources. In B.C., the latest official updates are located on the B.C. Centre for Disease Control website.“

Charger rollout
Phased approach planned for EV chargers at Vernon ALC
15h ago
Secondary Dwellings
Coldstream considering more housing on agricultural lands
17h ago
Wildfire Risks
Okanagan's Fire Danger Rating already up to Moderate
Apr 23, 2026

As well, a new toll-free phone number (1-833-784-4397) was established to answer questions from Canadians about the novel coronavirus. Service is available from 7 a.m. to midnight EST.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control recommends that to reduce the risk of exposure to novel coronavirus, individuals employ the same measures that are taken in relation to colds and flu:
• Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds using soap and hot water (it is the single most effective way of reducing the spread of infection).
• Practice other good hygiene habits: do not touch one’s face/eyes/mouth with one’s hands and cover one’s mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing (ideally with a disposable tissue or the crease of the elbow).
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched workspace surfaces.
• Maintain good general health (eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, exercise in moderation).
• Stay home if sick.

by Pete McIntyre
View Comments

Other Matters

Charger rollout
Phased approach planned for EV chargers at Vernon ALC
Vernon's new Active Living Centre will have electric vehicle chargers, but they will be installed in two phases.A city staff report said Vernon's Mayor and Corporate Officer signed an EV License of Occupation Agreement with B.C. Hydro to install 24 chargers at the ALC.However, they won't all be available at once."...
15h ago
Read More
Secondary Dwellings
Coldstream considering more housing on agricultural lands
The District of Coldstream could be allowing more housing to go up on farmland.A district staff report said the zoning bylaw could be amended to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on Agricultural Land Reserve properties that are 2.0 hectares in size or greater.The report explained that in 2023 the municipality appro...
17h ago
Read More
Info Sought
Kelowna RCMP search for stolen pasta food trailer
Kelowna RCMP are asking for the public's help to locate a stolen food trailer taken earlier this month from a secured compound along Highway 97.Police say the trailer was reported stolen from the 2700 block of Highway 97 North and was last seen around midnight on April 12. Surveillance video later captured the trailer ...
18h ago
Read More
Controversial Comments
Kelowna-area MLA in hot water over treaty debate remarks
Independent MLA Tara Armstrong is facing calls to retract comments she made in the B.C. legislature Thursday, using language critics say is linked to Nazi ideology during a debate on a First Nations treaty.Armstrong, the MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream, used the phrase "blood and soil" while speaking ...
19h ago
Read More
Missing Person
RCMP say missing Kamloops man may be trying to get to Vernon
RCMP have asked for help in tracking down a recent arrival to Kamloops who went missing and could be in the Vernon area.Mounties said 61 year old Gene Siedekum was last seen Monday, April 20, around the 300-block of Columbia Street in Kamloops."Gene recently moved to Kamloops and may attempt to return to Vernon wh...
20h ago
Read More
Mental Health Awareness
Performers sought for inaugural Mind Over Music Mental Health Festival
The local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association is running its first ever music festival and is looking for groups to perform.CHMA Vernon will hold its inaugural Mind Over Music Mental Health Festival on September 26.The event aims to showcase local musicians, artists and creative facilitators, while also us...
Apr 24, 2026
Read More
Building for the future
Now's the time to invest: Kelowna MP Fuhr
The MP for Kelowna, Liberal Stephen Fuhr, says Canada needs to invest in the future and if not now, then when?There has been criticism of the massive spending announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney on mega projects like LNG, electrification, mining and Artic and Northern infrastructure, that has fueled the projected n...
Apr 24, 2026
Read More
Wildfire Risks
Okanagan's Fire Danger Rating already up to Moderate
The Okanagan and Southern Interior are already seeing risks of wildfires.The B.C. Wildfire Service said the Okanagan had a Moderate Fire Risk rating as of Thursday, April 23.The provincial firefighting agency said a Moderate rating indicated that "forest fuels are drying and there is an increased risk of surface f...
Apr 23, 2026
Read More
Integrated Services and Community Impact Project
Local group getting financial boost to advance multiculturalism
A provincial program is supporting multiculturalism work in the North Okanagan.The Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society was named as a beneficiary of the province's annual B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants program.The group will receive $5,000 in funding to be used to support the loca...
Apr 23, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Charger rollout
Phased approach planned for EV chargers at Vernon ALC
14h ago
Secondary Dwellings
Coldstream considering more housing on agricultural lands
17h ago
Wildfire Risks
Okanagan's Fire Danger Rating already up to Moderate
Apr 23, 2026
Structure Fire Response
VFRS undertaking annual structure fire training
Apr 23, 2026
Beaver Lake and Vernon Creek Watershed Improvements
Lake Country taking action to support water management, flows at area watershed
Apr 22, 2026