The scale of the COVID-19 challenge, and BC’s lack of resources to implement robust testing and monitoring as per Singapore, Taiwan, SKorea and others, necessitates a bioregional strategy of containment. Within BC, leveraging local EOC-level leadership, we must create zones that quickly become Covid-19 Free “Green Zones,” thereby allowing the Province to focus all of its resources and energy on Covid-19 hot spots, aka “Red Zones.”

This will require temporary borders around logical containment areas. Borders will be maintained by local actors (Police, Search and Rescue, Fire, Bylaw enforcement, etc.) until the virus is under control at the provincial level. As “Green Zones” expand adjacent to each other, resources required for this border maintenance effort will be reduced.

This document provides details on a Pilot Project for this strategy, “Nelson and Area”, which could be rapidly scaled across the Province. Communities like Nelson will be highly motivated and greatly encouraged in this time of overwhelming uncertainty, when presented with a clear vision and plan that promises a quicker return to normalcy for individuals, families and businesses than currently projected by many. Recent media re. Small communities asking visitors to stay away further evidences this trend.

Seven-step Roll Out

• Immediate public communication from municipal leaders asking visitors to stay
• Announce (within 48 hours) notice of bioregional zone “Green Zone”
• Set up temporary boundaries (see map in appendix)

Seven-step (cont)

• 21 days of home quarantine (sufficient to completely halt virus transmission) for except for essential services
• 21 days the “Green Zone” is declared, asymptomatic households resume ‘life as usual’ within boundaries of Pilot Project
• Symptomatic households are tested and remain in quarantine until 21 days free of symptoms has been achieved
• Province becomes increasing filled with symptom-free "Green Zones"

Pilot Project Nelson "Green Zone"

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• "I definitely think this warrants serious consideration. We want to ensure that COVID doesn’t take hold in our area." Suzan Hewat , Kaslo Mayor , RDCK Director , WKBRHD Chair

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