RDNO may close landfill sites if COVID rules are not followed

The Regional District of North Okanagan has issued guidelines and a warning to people using North Okanagan landfill sites during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With little else to do during the pandemic, many people in the region have started to do some spring cleaning and yard maintenance.

RDNO said this has led to a significant increase in customer traffic at landfill sites and other diversion and disposal facilities (DDF) and not everyone is following social distancing rules.

“The RDNO has asked customers to consider whether a visit to a DDF is truly necessary at this time and to abide by the orders of the provincial health officer during their visit, particularly as it relates to social distancing,” said the RDNO in a release issued Thursday.

“Unfortunately, many customers are not abiding by these requests and as a result are placing landfill staff and other customers at risk.”

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Effective Friday, Mar. 26, the RDNO will be enforcing the social distancing directive.
Measures include:

1. The number of customers permitted onsite at any given time will be limited
2. Any customers not following the social distancing order to stay two metres apart from other customers may be asked to leave the facility or may be issued a bylaw violation ticket
3. Customers can expect a significant increase in lineups and wait times at all facilities, wait times of up to 60 minutes should be expected during peak times
4. Customers will be expected to abide by the direction of DDF staff while onsite

Residents are also being asked to use curbside garbage collection as much as possible.

The RDNO warns that if customers fail to abide by the new rules then staff will consider further limiting access to facilities, including a possible closure to members of the public.