Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. ski resort fires staff after COVID-19 spread

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Dec, 2020 11:20 PM
  • B.C. ski resort fires staff after COVID-19 spread

Big White Ski Resort says it has fired "a number" of staff after a cluster of 60 cases of COVID-19 was discovered earlier this week.

Michael Ballingall, the senior vice-president for the Kelowna, B.C., resort, says in an email reply the staff were let go either for violating the provincial health officer's orders or the resort's own contracts to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Ballingall says the resort has a zero-tolerance policy on such matters, while he wouldn't say how many people were let go.

A statement posted on the resort's website says it requires all staff to sign a health declaration before starting work each day and to follow all provincial health rules.

The Interior Health authority says most of the spread of the illness was related to large households, social gatherings and shared housing at the resort that's home to more than 150 staff each ski season.

It says everyone who tested positive for COVID-19 at Big White is required to self-isolate and public health workers are following up with their close contacts while testing at the resort is ongoing.

Public health orders in B.C. prohibit social gatherings among people from different households and non-essential travel is discouraged.

Interior Health says the risk is low for families and individuals visiting Big White as long as they stick to their household "bubble" and follow other rules, such as wearing a mask and practising physical distancing.

"We are confident with the safety plan in place by Big White Ski Resort," the health authority said in a statement. "Outdoor activities at Big White are considered safe for anyone following public health direction."

MORE National ARTICLES

Federal Government records deficit of more than $381 billion in face of COVID19 pandemic

Federal Government records deficit of more than $381 billion in face of COVID19 pandemic
Freeland defends the federal government's record deficit of more than $381 billion as affordable and necessary, arguing the government would make a bigger mistake by spending too little than by spending too much.

Federal Government records deficit of more than $381 billion in face of COVID19 pandemic

Charges laid in arson investigation: Surrey RCMP

Charges laid in arson investigation: Surrey RCMP
Three individuals from inside the residence were rushed to an area hospital suffering from smoke inhalation, one of whom also suffered from injuries consistent with having been assaulted.

Charges laid in arson investigation: Surrey RCMP

Get on with gun-control measures, advocates say

Get on with gun-control measures, advocates say
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair has pledged new measures, including a buyback of recently outlawed firearms, stricter storage provisions and steps to control handguns.

Get on with gun-control measures, advocates say

B.C. health review finds vast Indigenous profiling

B.C. health review finds vast Indigenous profiling
She says the review also looked into the broader context of systemic racism affecting Indigenous Peoples and found it is widespread, including extensive profiling of patients based on stereotypes about addictions.

B.C. health review finds vast Indigenous profiling

Minassian never aggressive to others before attack

Minassian never aggressive to others before attack
Dr. Alexander Westphal is testifying in the defence of Alek Minassian, who has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder.    

Minassian never aggressive to others before attack

Freeland set to deliver economic, fiscal update

Freeland set to deliver economic, fiscal update
The fall economic statement should have a full accounting of pandemic spending so far, and the depth of this year's deficit, which in July was forecast at a historic $343.2 billion amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Freeland set to deliver economic, fiscal update