COVID-19 update #2: Port Moody to suspend walk-in service at City Hall to protect the public & staff

City of Port Moody staff in the Emergency Operations Centre

Effective immediately, the City of Port Moody is suspending walk-in, face-to-face service at City Hall until further notice to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

“In response to the Provincial State of Emergency that was declared earlier this afternoon, we are shutting down normal operations at City Hall,” says Mayor Rob Vagramov. “At this point, the City of Port Moody’s number one priority is responding to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensuring delivery of core services – police and fire, water and sewer, waste collection, and bylaw enforcement – to our residents.
 
"Where possible, City staff will continue to provide additional City services by email and phone,” continues Mayor Vagramov, “but during this time, we can expect delays to non-essential City business. As many staff as possible will begin working remotely starting March 19, and a children’s day camp program will begin March 30, in an effort to support parents working in essential services, including health and support sectors. 

“In this time of crisis, we must come together in the pursuit of social distancing to 'flatten the curve’ of infection, and to preserve the wellbeing of our community.” 

Details about the children’s day camp program, which Council has designated as a community support service, will be available the week of March 23, 2020. 

The City has taken the following additional measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• activated the City’s Emergency Operations Centre to provide a co-ordinated response to COVID-19’s impact on the delivery of City services;
• closed the Port Moody Arts Centre until further notice;
• postponed pool openings until further notice (Rocky Point Outdoor Pool and Westhill Outdoor Pool were scheduled to open June 15, 2020);
• cancelled all facility rentals through May 30, 2020 and suspended the consideration of new bookings until further notice;
• cancelled all City-organized events as well as community-organized events held on City property through May 30, 2020;
• cancelled in-person meetings for all civic committees, commissions, and boards (remote meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of a committee chair); and
• cancelled the March 24, 2020 Regular Meeting of Council, the March 31, 2020 Public Hearing, and the March 31, 2020 Finance Committee meeting. 

The City’s website is always open. Members of the public are encouraged to visit portmoody.ca to look for information about programs and services, find application forms for licences and permits, check the waste collection schedule, and more. Residents can also sign up for e-billing at my.portmoody.ca and pay eligible bills online. 

The City is continuously monitoring information about COVID-19 coming from public health authorities, and makes decisions about City services, programs, and facilities with the health and safety of its residents in mind. Visit portmoody.ca/covid19 to stay up-to-date on impacts to City services.