Brishti Basu
Senior Staff Writer and Content Manager at Victoria Buzz.
Got a story? Shoot me an email: brishti@victoriabuzz.com
Victoria mayor urges people to stop flushing wipes other than toilet paper
The city's sewage system is starting to get clogged up...
B.C. reports 42 new cases of COVID-19 bringing total to 659 in province
🚨There are now a total of 47 confirmed cases on Vancouver Island
B.C. announces financial aid for renters, moratorium on evictions, freeze on rent increases
There will be a $500/month temporary supplement fund for renters delivered through BC Housing.
BC Ferries announces 1.5% fuel rebate, advises against non-essential travel
The company has not been instructed to restrict travel at this time
Federal government to enforce mandatory 14-day quarantine on travellers returning to Canada
It will be mandatory under the Quarantine Act as of midnight tonight
Canadian workers affected by COVID-19 can now get $2,000/month for 4 months
Those who qualify will start receiving money within 10 days of applying
Victoria residents detail return to Canada from South America, Australia amid COVID-19
How well is Canada screening travellers at the border for COVID-19?
Police seeking suspect who robbed Langford Ma Miller’s Pub
He told the employee he had a knife before demanding cash
City of Victoria delays consideration of declaring local state of emergency due to COVID-19
This measure would give them the power to freeze evictions, but the province may announce similar orders tomorrow
B.C. reports 145 new cases of COVID-19 bringing total to 617 in province
BREAKING: There are now a total of 44 confirmed cases on Vancouver Island
Victoria renters report landlords raising rent, issuing eviction notices amid COVID-19 pandemic
One of the tenants is a healthcare worker at Royal Jubilee; the other is a disabled woman with COVID-19 symptoms told to be in quarantine
B.C. campgrounds closed until April 30th after people found ignoring COVID-19 precautions
All provincial parks have also been fully or partially closed to the public
Canada Post announces reduced hours, service changes amid COVID-19
Like a "Knock, Drop and Go" approach eliminating the need for signatures at the door
Victoria Empress Hotel announces immediate closure of hotel, spa, and food services
Effective Wednesday, March 25th
Saanich Police issue reminder after groups seen disobeying COVID-19 playground closures
TLDR: ALL playgrounds in Saanich are CLOSED and people are reminded to avoid them.
Victoria Cat Hotel offers free stay for cats whose owners are hospitalized amid global...
A home away from home for kitties who need it
City of Victoria announces temporary shelter sites for homeless and vulnerable populations
Including Beacon Hill Park, Topaz Park, and Royal Athletic Park
Nanaimo doctor details staggering effect COVID-19 could have on island health care system (VIDEO)
"We're not testing everyone. It's likely there are hundreds or thousands infected," says Dr. Forrest, an infectious disease specialist at NRGH
Ogden Point Breakwater will be closed after visitors seen not maintaining social distancing
Effective 7 a.m. on Tuesday
B.C. announces $5 billion relief package for people and businesses affected by COVID-19
Here's a breakdown of some of the measures being taken
B.C. reports 48 new cases of COVID-19 bringing total to 472 in province
BREAKING: There are now a total of 39 confirmed cases on Vancouver Island
Over 300 B.C. health care professionals sign letter urging people to stay home
"This is a threat that hopefully comes along only once in a lifetime."
BC Ferries employee in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19
BREAKING: The employee came into contact with 7 other workers who are all now in self isolation
B.C. restaurants will be allowed to offer liquor products for take-out or delivery
In an effort to provide employment for servers laid off due to COVID-19 shut downs
Victoria Police break up house party, warn youth are not immune to COVID-19
A gathering of around 10 people aged 18-24 yrs at a suite in Esquimalt
B.C. reports 74 new cases of COVID-19 bringing total to 424 in province
BREAKING: There are a total of 37 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus on Vancouver Island
BC Ferries suspends all food service, donates perishables to Victoria charity
2,400 pounds of food was donated to the Rainbow Kitchen
Employees at Save-On-Foods will receive $2/hour pay increase, says union
"In response to the incredible work they are doing on the front lines of the COVID19 crisis."
B.C. reports 77 new cases of COVID-19 bringing total to 348 in province
BREAKING: There are now a total of 30 cases on Vancouver Island
Saanich joins Sidney in closing all playgrounds amid COVID-19 pandemic
Parks across the province are still open
7-Eleven confirms COVID-19 case closes Vancouver Island store
The affected store in Ladysmith B.C. is closed until April 2nd
Victoria Chamber of Commerce offers to connect unemployed with businesses seeking workers
While some businesses have laid off employees, others are desperately looking for more helping hands
Air Canada lays off over 5,100 people amid flight cancellations due to COVID-19
The airline will be reducing its services by around 80% in April
122nd Victoria Day Parade has been cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
"This is the first time in 12 decades of the parade that it has been cancelled."
B.C. top doctor dispels rumours that heat can kill COVID-19 after yoga studio makes...
The business claims their attendance has slowed down due to "everyone being paralyzed into a fear state of mind".
Save-On-Foods to start providing plastic bags at all stores in western Canada amid COVID-19
They will also temporarily suspend bottle returns starting tomorrow
B.C. reports 40 new cases of COVID-19 bringing total cases to 271 in province
BREAKING: There are now 22 total cases of novel coronavirus on Vancouver Island
BC RCMP debunk 6 fraudulent myths being spread about COVID-19 pandemic
Be wary of people using this pandemic to scam vulnerable populations.
B.C. Supreme Court suspends regular operations, shifts focus to “essential and urgent” matters
A new system has been introduced to request hearings for urgent matters
These Greater Victoria businesses are offering special services in light of COVID-19
Practice social distancing AND support local! 💪
Victoria byelection postponed to curb spread of COVID-19
It was originally scheduled to take place on April 4th
Canada-U.S. border will close to non-essential travel by this Saturday
Asylum seekers will also be temporarily housed in order to ensure that they are all quarantined for 14 days
Health officials open three new COVID-19 testing clinics on Vancouver Island
In Nanaimo, Port Hardy, and Port McNeill
BC Transit will start cancelling daily trips in Victoria due to reduced ridership
"We recognize this is a fluid situation and will update customers on a day-by-day basis..."
Sooke dentist in isolation after attending dental conference that had COVID-19 outbreak
Patients who visited the clinic after March 7th are asked to self isolate as a precaution
B.C. reports 45 new cases of COVID-19, bringing total to 231
BREAKING: There are now a total of 16 cases on Vancouver Island
Air Canada announces gradual suspension of majority of international flights by March 31
The airline will reduce its international network from 101 airports to six until at least April 30
Victoria Cool Aid Society calls for grocery store gift card donations for vulnerable population
They can no longer accept food donations
BC Hydro will not disconnect services for non-payment in light of COVID-19
They are also cancelling non-emergency planned power outages