COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) Information

In BC, we continue to have plans and guidelines in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The good news is that BC’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan is underway. As of April 2021, COVID-19 vaccinations are being made available to more folks as each age group gets their first dose of the vaccine. Indigenous people and those identified as being clinically at risk of contracting COVID-19 have been identified as priority groups to receive the vaccine. If you are eligible and within a priority group, you will be contacted by your local Health Authority. 

To see if you or your loved one are currently eligible to register for an account or book an appointment, check out how to get vaccinated for COVID-19.

It can be a bit confusing and overwhelming as information keeps changing frequently, so we’ve summarized the latest key provincial guidelines for you. We are all in this together. 

As of March 29, 2021,  new temporary restrictions are put in place until April 19, 2021 at midnight.  These province-wide restrictions are in addition to the temporary restrictions that were announced on November 19, 2020. The new orders focus on social gatherings, group exercise and indoor dining in restaurants.

Restrictions Summary from March 29, 2021 until further notice:

• Keep your social group to people your core bubble. These are the only people you should spend time with at home or on a restaurant patio.
• No indoor social gatherings of any size. This includes events, parties, concerts and religious gatherings.
• Outdoor social gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed. This includes spaces like a backyard, park or beach. It’s important to stick to the same group of 10 people and still maintain physical distancing.
• Restaurants, bars, and pubs are closed for in-person dining. The exception is dining on an outdoor patio with your core bubble. You can still get takeout or delivery.
• Pause high and low intensity group exercise. This includes activities like spin classes, bootcamps, yoga, pilates, and Tai-Chi.
• Wear a non-medical mask at school. All staff and students in grade 4 to 12 are required to wear a non-medical mask in all indoor areas with a few exceptions.
• Limit non-essential travel around or outside BC. Travel for work or medical reasons only.

Here are some general things for everyone to keep in mind to help you and others stay safe:

• Stay at home and away from others when you are feeling sick, even if symptoms are mild.
• Practice good hygiene:
  • Wash your hands regularly
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow or sleeve
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces.
• Keep physical distancing as much as possible when out in the community. Learn more about physical distancing and why it helps during a pandemic.
• Greet people with a wave instead of a handshake, kiss or hug.
• Take care of your mental well-being and practice self-care.

The province is in a new kind of normal which can come with a lot of feelings of stress or anxiety when things still feel uncertain. Learn more about when “normal” might not feel so normal, and how to manage feelings of uncertainty as you find a new routine.

There’s still a lot to deal with right now. It’s important to find the right type of support for you if you need it. Keep in mind that the support you need can change as time passes. For many people, staying connected to family, friends, and loved ones is important. It is encouraged that you keep up with these connections virtually or remotely via phone, text, or email.

Where can I go to get support?

• Foundry Virtual – Foundry is now offering virtual drop-in counselling sessions by voice, video and chat to young people ages 12-24 and their caregivers.

• Find a Foundry centre in your community – Foundry centres are now re-introducing in person services, but will continue to offer select services virtually – over the phone or video chat. Please call your local Foundry centre for the most up to date information on service availability.
• Kids Help Phone – text CONNECT to 686868 (text STOP, if you would like to stop the conversation)
• Try Pathfinder, Foundry’s 4-step tool to help you find personalized support options
• Find other support options on our Get Support page

Changes to Foundry Centres

The safety, health and well-being of our young people and their families, staff and our community partners is our top priority. We’ve taken a number of measures at Foundry centres to ensure we are aligned with BC Centre for Disease Control’s recommendations. A few of these measures include:

• Plexiglass barriers at reception desk and waiting areas seating being spread out to accommodate for physical distancing
• Staff members practicing physical distancing and being equipped with person protective equipment (PPE) including masks, gloves, etc.
• Adjusting service hours to decrease number of people in center at once
• Hand sanitizer or alcohol-based hand rub being available throughout the centre
• Thorough cleaning of all shared equipment (including Toolbox iPads) after each client and all other areas of centre cleaned multiple times throughout the day

Resources available regarding COVID-19

• For non-medical information about COVID-19 call 1 888 COVID19 (1-888-268-4319) seven days a week, from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. or text message 604-630-0300. Information is available in more than 110 languages.
• The BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool  can help you decide if you need testing for COVID-19. You can complete this assessment for yourself, or for someone else, if they are not able to.

Information is changing frequently. Check the BCCDC website for the latest on COVID-19.

Foundry’s Response to COVID-19

REPORT 2: March 16 – December 31st, 2020
Find out more about Foundry’s response through our COVID-19 Report

Report 1: March 16th – July 3rd, 2020
Find out more about Foundry’s response through our COVID-19 Report