By Pete McIntyre

City fielding social distancing complaints, but mayor says incidents are ‘isolated’

Apr 3, 2020 | 5:05 AM

Vernon’s mayor says the city is hearing concerns that some residents are not following social distancing rules.

“I think there are those that are not [following the orders], and there are community members that are very concerned about that,” Victor Cumming told Vernon Matters.

But Cumming said, in general, people are doing “a really good job” at staying at least two metres from each other as part of the B.C health orders.

“We observed that on the streets and at parks. People are keeping that social, physical distance and I think that is something to be commended.”

Cumming said the city is getting reports of violations but he feels those are “isolated incidents,” and they haven’t heard of any major abuses of the rules.

12 hectare blaze

Wildfire near Chase controlled

18h ago

Charger rollout

Phased approach planned for EV chargers at Vernon ALC

Apr 24, 2026

Secondary Dwellings

Coldstream considering more housing on agricultural lands

Apr 24, 2026

Meantime, the mayor says the COVID outbreak has been devastating to restaurants, hotels and tourism-support businesses in the city.

“We are hearing major impact in the non-food retail sector. Most of them are closed,” said Cumming.

Cumming added professional services are also feeling the crunch.

“I can’t imagine being a dentist, or a physiotherapist, or chiropractor because all of those have been hit very directly by this need for social, physical distancing.”

And like in other places, the mayor said the grocery sector is booming, with many stores hiring more staff.

Restaurants Canada estimates that 800,000 jobs have been lost in its sector nationwide.

The company, which represents restaurants, said nearly one in 10 restaurants in Canada have already closed and nearly one in five expect to close if conditions don’t get better in a month.

by Pete McIntyre

View Comments