Fernie COVID-19 Travel & Local Updates

Friday • November 27, 2020

Current updates related to COVID & travel. Do not travel if you are sick.

As of Tuesday November 24th, the BC Gov't has implemented further restrictions, valid until December 7th, across all of BC. Please help us flatten the curve in BC and across Canada so we can still have a safe holiday and winter season, snowfalls have been amazing already!

View new BC Gov't restrictions in detail. Those related to travel and visitation include:

1) mandatory masks in public indoor spaces with some exceptions, this includes retail and dining (but not at your table when eating/drinking)

2) limit travel to essential travel only until December 7th, if you must still travel, keep to your immediate household and follow local/provincial orders and health protocols. You can still plan and book travel for the winter season; businesses have flexible cancellation policies in place to address COVID. View trip planning details.

3) no social gatherings at this time, limit to immediate household (exception for single person households). Special important gatherings of up to 10 for funerals/weddings etc allowed if protocols followed and safety plan developed and available.

4) no events/gatherings where people come together from different households (ie original rule of up to 50 ppl not supported right now).

The Canada-USA border is closed to all non-essential travel until at least December 21, and may potentially remain closed through the winter season. International/Overseas visitation for leisure travel purposes is not permitted at this time. Anyone travelling to Canada for Essential Travel is required to quarantine for 14 days. More details.

Since the pandemic started, as per the BC CDC, cases in the East Kootenay region have totalled 68, current cases are listed as 22. View current regional 'Interior Health' public exposure alerts. Update from the Elk Valley Doctors - November 24, 2020

Businesses in Fernie are open, however with safety guidelines, new hours and procedures in place. Please adhere to signage. Please plan ahead and respect the new safe ways of experiencing Fernie.

View details on planning your visit to Fernie, BC this winter, including how we are working to keep you safe and what we ask of you.

Winter Ski Season - all resorts will be operating this winter season. Fernie Alpine Resort's opening date is December 5th. Local catskiing operations will open around mid-December. Fernie offers a wealth of cross-country skiing, fat biking and snowshoeing as well, which are great ways to safely enjoy the outdoors. Businesses offering indoor experiences such as wellness, spa, dining, shopping and attractions are all open with safety protocols in place.

We all love to travel and explore, and tourism is a very important industry for our community, so please feel free to contact us in your trip planning.

To ensure the stop of spreading any cold, flu or viruses, including COVID-19:

Masks are now mandatory in public indoor spaces, please bring your own with you due to limited local supplies
Practice social / physical distancing - Stay 6 feet away from those not within your family or travelling unit
Keep gatherings/travel to your immediate family or household unit until at least December 7th.
Wash your hands frequently and have hand santizer with you at all times (limited local supplies, bring your own please)
Stay home or away from others when not feeling well.
Cover your mouth and nose with your arm when you cough/sneeze
Don't touch your face with unclean hands

Additional Links & Information:

Self-Assessment Tool

Update from the Elk Valley Doctors - November 24, 2020

BC's COVID-19 Tracker

Alberta's COVID-19 Tracker

BC's Dr Bonnie Henry's 8 Key Principles

City of Fernie

Fernie Fresh Food Share

Salvation Army Fernie - Facebook Page

Regional District of East Kootenay

Interior BC Health Authority

Regional News Source E-Know