Blog

Taking sanctuary

When I wrote this column last week, I was still making jokes about the world ending. What I hadn’t anticipated was—in the space of a few days—the sudden and drastic measures taken by governments around the world to contain COVID-19, including our own.…

Livestreamed après concert gave Whistler exactly what it needed

The Hairfarmers’ one-and-a-half-hour garage show raised over $40,000 for the food bank

On Friday night, Whistlerites gathered for après—only the music, drinks, and conversation weren’t at their typical watering holes in the village. Instead, locals—and people as far away as Australia—tuned in from the comfort of their own living rooms to see The Hairfarmers play in a Tapley’s Farm garage.…

B.C. orders all salons, parlours closed as 74 new COVID-19 cases reported

What happened: More B.C. businesses are being ordered to shut down as the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the province. Why it matters: The new order comes just a day after restaurants were ordered closed to table service, leaving many workers jobless.…

74 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C., bringing total to 424

B.C.’s provincial health officer is reporting 74 new cases of the COVID-19 virus, bringing the total number of 424 people who have tested positive for the disease. One more person has died, bringing the total in B.C. to 10.…

My B.C. COVID-19 story: I was infected with the coronavirus in the U.S.

A first-person account from a V.I.A. contributor who contracted COVID-19 while on a work trip to Ohio

I landed in Ohio late on March 10, 2020. I gave myself March 11, 2020 as a day to meet with some colleagues, tour a breathalyzer manufacturer, and watch a friend speak at a small seminar.…

Vancouver Island distillers brew up sanitizer to fill void

Companies offer it for free to first responders

The sanitizer made by Victoria Distillers in conjunction with Nezza Naturals is The lack of hand sanitizer on store shelves, in hospitals and for first responders during the COVID-19 outbreak has spurred a pair of distillers on Vancouver Island to start producing it.…

Whistler skiers reflect on Junior Worlds

Peiffer had qualified for first World Cup

Over the last several days, the world changed really quickly and forced pretty much everyone to adapt. Some of those alterations were major, and proportionally, some were a little more minor.…

LB Productions start classes for Mulan performance

Whistler and Pemberton students to perform on June 7

Anita Burleson will have some outside help for LB Productions’ year-end performance of Mulan. Sun Ying, a wushu master and long-time Whistler local, will give students in Whistler and Pemberton a few lessons on the martial art to prepare them for their roles.…

Province looking at impact of COVID-19 on renters and landlords

Rental Housing Task leader gathering info and feedback on rental issues

Vancouver West End MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert, the premier’s advisor on rental housing, has been tasked with gathering information and feedback on how to handle rental issues emerging due to COVID-19. During a press conference March 17, Premier John Horgan said the government is looking at next steps, using a cross-governmental approach.…

B.C. restaurants could lose up to 100,000 jobs over three months

Restaurants Canada anticipates the B.C. industry will lose nearly $3 billion

Tens of thousands of jobs are at stake as B.C.’s restaurant and food service industry struggles with the economic consequences of COVID-19. Industry advocate Restaurants Canada is anticipating that between 70,000 and 100,000 jobs will be lost in British Columbia over a three-month period beginning last week.…

Retailers careful handling cash while WHO says currency doesn’t transmit COVID-19

Workers wear rubber gloves for protection

Dirty money has taken on a new meaning as the war on the novel coronavirus ramps up. Some retailers are taking more precautions when accepting cash during the pandemic, says Karl Littler, a spokesman for the Retail Council of Canada, which represents more than 45,000 businesses.…

Whistler Search and Rescue urges province to consider ban on backcountry recreation

COVID-19 hampers WSAR and Avalanche Canada

Whistler Search and Rescue (WSAR) and Avalanche Canada are asking the public to use extreme caution if they head into the backcountry, with WSAR saying that its ability to respond to incidents is severely hampered as its members do not have access to the specialized equipment needed to guard against COVID-19. “Our ability to respond is being considerably restricted,” said WSAR manager Brad Sills.…

B.C. restaurants ordered to move to takeout, delivery only

Move comes as B.C. reports 77 new cases of COVID-19 today

Although many restaurants have already taken the precaution, the province made it official on Friday, March 20: eateries must move to takeout and delivery only to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the mandate in Friday’s COVID-19 press conference, explaining how it has been challenging to maintain proper social-distancing measures in certain settings.…

RMOW offering temporary free transit

Whistler Transit moving directly to summer service on March 27

WITH WHISTLER BLACKCOMB operations suspended until at least the end of April, the Whistler Transit System will be moving directly to Spring/Summer/Fall base service on March 27. Further, the Resort Municipality of Whistler is offering temporary free transit as of March 20, which will allow for rear-door loading to help with social distancing.…

‘The virus is in the community’ medical health officer says

VCH warns it will not issue advisory for every local case of COVID-19 and locals should protect themselves

WHILE VANCOUVER Coastal Health (VCH) announced on March 19 that some recent visitors to Whistler have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), it remains to be seen exactly how many confirmed cases there are in the community. “We know that there’s a few lab-confirmed cases, but we’re still waiting for that data to be collated.…