Day camps and daycares operated by the City of Surrey will close on Monday to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Mayor Doug McCallum announced at a brief announcement at city hall Thursday.

McCallum also said the city is looking for empty industrial and warehouse space for pandemic responses, including warehousing medical equipment and possible temporary hospitals.

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McCallum previously said on Monday spring break camps and daycare facilities run by the city would continue based on the most current guidelines provided by the Provincial Health Officer, who is expected to provide a daily briefing at 3 p.m.

It is unclear if the city-run daycare shutdown is a proactive response.

On Sunday, the city ordered the closure of all city recreation centres, ice arenas, culture facilities, museums, pools and libraries until further notice. “This was a proactive measure that was done in the best interests of public health,” said McCallum at the time.

So far, B.C. daycares haven’t been ordered closed province-wide in order to accommodate children of necessary workers. However, cities and the province are taking varying steps to handle the pandemic.

McCallum said core city services would remain in operation with measures in place to keep staff and frontline responders safe.

Some daycare spaces will remain open, McCallum said, to prioritize frontline city and pandemic workers. Details were scant as he only took one question from media.

McCallum said the city is ramping up digital content for at-home recreational activities and reading materials from the library.

McCallum said parks remain open but there is a critical caveat if you go outside:

“Get out in the fresh air but do so being mindful of social distancing.”

That means staying two metres away from people not in your isolated household.

gwood@glaciermedia.ca