COVID-19

Over the past several days UROC has been monitoring the Covid-19 outbreak by collecting careful direction and professional advice from the decision-making experts directly responsible to the Comox Valley.

It is first and foremost that all of the UROC directives and recommendations are practiced by the UROC staff and the UROC board of directors.

UROC does not hold the responsibility to close the trail network and or the access to the trails system; At this time the trail network remains open.

Senior government will be the next decision-makers if all outside activity zones are to be closed and communities go into lock-down.
Please note that major recreational areas with high concentrations of general public have been long closed, e.g. Mt Washington.

UROC has received clear direction from the Village of Cumberland and the Comox Valley Regional District for the UROC members and all the users of the Cumberland trail network.

UROC and the Cumberland trail network users are asked to respect the following recommendations:

– No mountain biking on trails in the Cumberland network due to the risk of injury and the associated strain this would have on our medical system;

– Only sensibly recreate solo or with members of your household;

– Do not travel across immediate or larger communities to recreate, please restrict all travel;

– Practice physical and social distancing at all times; and

– Go home, stay at home, stay safe.

MAKING YOUR OWN DECISIONS: If you chose to ignore recommendations please read the following:

– Mountain biking during the COVID-19 pandemic puts you and others at risk;

– Riding injuries put unnecessary stress on medical systems that need all available resources to fight the virus, and group rides increase your chances of exposure; and

– Follow all local health authority directives, and DO NOT take risks.

Village of Cumberland

Closures Effective Immediately:

The following Village of Cumberland parking lots will be closed effective immediately:
– Cumberland Recreation Centre parking lot
– BMX parking lot at Village Park
– Coal Creek Historic Park parking lots (Jumbo’s Cabin, Lower Chinatown Historic Site)

Municipal Playgrounds and Play Structures including Village Park, N0. 6 Mine Heritage Park and Lake Park., Skate park at Village Park, Off-leash dog park at Village Park, Tennis Courts at Village Park and the Jump park.

Sources:

Federal statement

Enough is Enough: Go home and stay home.

Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister

Provincial numbers (as of 5pm – March 23^rd )

Confirmed cases by region:

British Columbia.: 617

Island Health: 44

Local – Covid-19 Lead physician, Comox Valley and Vancouver Island Medical health

“Please go home, stay home and only go out for essential services. If you need to exercise, the best way would be your bike trainer or being inventive in your yard, otherwise only go out with members of your household and go to local places where there are very few people. Please stay safe and keep your community safe. Sensible actions now will lead to us getting back out their sooner”

Dr Adam Thompson COVID-19 Lead physician – Comox Valley Division of Family Practice,

“We have a very limited window of opportunity to slow down the virus transmission and it is incumbent on all of us to participate.  These are not normal times and as the Prime Minister said this am, “go home and stay home.”

Dr Charmaine Enns, Nrth Vancouver Island Medical Health Officer

Emergency Management centre

The Comox Valley Regional District Emergency Operations Centre

The British Columbia government has declared a provincial state of emergency to support the provincewide response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The CVRD is continuing to follow the advice of the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Provincial Health Officer. Together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 by making a conscious effort to keep a physical distance between each other. Social distancing is proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness during an outbreak.

Forestry landowners

UROC recommendations are supported by the Forestry landowners of the Cumberland Trail network. MOSAIC forestry management and HANCOCK forest management.

“Mosaic supports UROC’s approach to managing the Cumberland Trails network as we all make efforts to ensure social distancing during the Coronavirus outbreak.” 

“Hancock forest management fully supports UROC’s recommendations during the Covid-19 outbreak”

BC government – Department of Recreation Sites & Trails

Recreation trails offer opportunities for people to get out into nature. People may continue to access recreation trails to day hike and recreate. Visitors are reminded of the directives from the PHO to practice social distancing, stay home when you are sick and limit non-essential travel. We strongly recommend users consider local trails and do not travel for recreation purposes. For those who do decide to use trails, be mindful that you are responsible for your own safety and should exercise additional caution as trails will not be groomed or maintained during this time.