A Richmond city council committee has just voted unanimously this afternoon to close all community facilities, with a few exceptions, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

At the same city council meeting, taking place right now, city staff cited information from Vancouver Coastal Health that there are now three cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Richmond.

article continues below

The committee voted to close down most facilities except for child care, spring break camps, seniors meal programs and library outreach to seniors.

Community facilities understood to be closing are community centres, libraries, the Richmond Olympic Oval, swimming pools, arenas, arts facilities and heritage buildings.

The Richmond News reported earlier today how Burnaby, Delta, Surrey and Port Coquitlam have all shut up shop for the foreseeable future amid fears of the virus.

Vancouver, around lunchtime Monday, announced it was now in the process of shutting down most of its facilities, with that city's mayor urging people not to go to restaurants and bars.

And around 3 p.m., Abbottsford added itself to the list of cities shutting down recreational and non-essential facilities.

Meanwhile, the Richmond Olympic Oval, as well as other Richmond recreational faciltiies, remained open on Monday.

A spokesperson for the city said it was "closely monitoring the situation."

"We are in continuous contact with, and taking advice and direction from Richmond’s Medical Health Officer and will advise of any changes to our programs or facilities.

"Currently, facilities are open and programs are running. We will post further updates on our website and the City’s Facebook and Twitter accounts."