Information on COVID-19

Please refer to the resources below for information on COVID-19 and how to protect yourself and the community. Please be advised that this information continues to change rapidly.  As such, we recommend that you visit the website links provided for the latest updates.

Key information on COVID-19:

• BC Centre for Disease Control: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)
• Vancouver Coastal Health: http://www.vch.ca/about-us/news/vancouver-coastal-health-statement-on-coronavirus

Prevention:

The most important thing you can do to prevent infection and protect loved ones is to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.  To help reduce your risk of infection:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Using soap and water is the single most effective way of reducing the spread of infection.
• If a sink is not available, alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHR) can be used to clean your hands as long as they are not visibly soiled. If they are visibly soiled, use a wipe and then ABHR to effectively clean them.
• Do not touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue or the crease of your elbow when you sneeze or cough.
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
• Do not share food, drinks, utensils, etc.

Social Distancing:

There are many ways to practice social distancing:

• Limit activities outside your home
• Work from home
• Use virtual options to connect with others
• If you are out in public, keep 2 metres between yourself and others.
• ‎Keep your hands at your side when possible
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cough into your elbow or sleeve
• Avoid social activities in large gatherings
• Greet with a wave instead of a handshake, kiss, or hug
• Exercise at home or outside
• Get groceries and medicines at off-peak times

If you are sick:

If you have COVID-19, or think you might have it, help prevent spreading by following the instructions below.

• Use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to help determine if you need further assessment or testing for COVID-19.  You can complete this assessment for yourself, or on behalf of someone else, if they are unable to.
• If you have been tested for COVID-19, go to the Testing or Isolation page
• If any symptoms arise, they are to connect with their primary care provider, local public health office or call 8-1-1. http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/if-you-are-sick

Self-isolation – For people arriving in B.C. from outside Canada:

People arriving from outside of Canada are required to self-isolate, which means staying home and not going to work or school, and monitor for symptoms for 14 days after arrival in Canada. For more information, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/travel

Some essential service workers may be exempt from 14-day self-isolation period. Please refer to the Determination of Return to Work of Essential Service Workers Who Have Traveled Out of Canada document.

Non-medical Information about COVID-19:

For non medical information about COVID-19 Call 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319) or text  604-630-0300 from 7:30 am to 8 pm.

Other useful information on COVID-19:

• World Health Organization Coping With Stress: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/coping-with-stress.pdf?sfvrsn=9845bc3a_2
• World Health Organization Coping With Stress for Children: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/helping-children-cope-with-stress-print.pdf?sfvrsn=f3a063ff_2
• Vancouver Coastal Health How to Wash Your Hands: http://www.vch.ca/Documents/How-to-handwash-poster.pdf

Dear Clients,

Please be advised that while our office has physically closed to the public and clients, our staff continues to provide services online and by telephone. You may reach us by telephone at: 604-988-2931 or via email at office@nsms.ca.  Please visit our website for updated service notifications: www.nsms.ca/covid-19

If you have an emergency please call 911.  If you have health concerns please contact 811 or your local health service provider.

For non medical information about COVID-19 Call 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319) or text  604-630-0300 from 7:30 am to 8 pm.

Dear North Shore Community,

The North Shore Multicultural Society is honoured to serve our North Shore community with information and support during the Canada-wide Covid-19 response. It is very important to us that newcomers in our communities do not become disconnected and have access to support and information. We are open for service!

We know that this is a challenging time and it is important to us that everyone adjust and adapt as we all find new ways to be strong and resilient. If you are alone or experiencing high levels of sadness or distress, reach out to us and we will be pleased to assist you.

What we are doing:

• NSMS continues to offer information, support, and referrals to immigrants on the telephone and online while our in- person services are temporarily on hold.
• We are responding to written requests via email and online, please refer to our service directory below. Please note that requests to us can be written in any language.  Our goal is return all requests on the day we receive them.
• If you have a question and would like to call us, you are welcome to phone in to our central number 604-988-2931.
• If you are a community or service partner; please contact us via email at office@nsms.ca and we will respond to you promptly.

For Covid-19 Information and Resources please refer to:

• BC Centre for Disease Control: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19
• Translated content from BC CDC: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/translated-content
• Vancouver Coastal Health: http://www.vch.ca/about-us/news/vancouver-coastal-health-statement-on-coronavirus
• World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
• For non medical information about COVID-19 Call 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319) or text  604-630-0300 from 7:30 am to 8 pm.

Additional Service Pathways:

1. If you are a Permanent Resident in Canada and have any questions related to your settlement in Canada, please email us at settlement@nsms.ca
2. If you are a Temporary Resident in Canada and are a Temporary Foreign Worker, Refugee Claimant, or International Student and have a question related to your immigration status, or a question about accessing services in Canada, please email us at bcsis@nsms.ca
3. If you are Looking for Work or have questions about employment, please email us at employment@nsms.ca
4. If you are interested in English Language Training and would like more information on our language programs, please contact us via email at language@nsms.ca
5. If you have a General Enquiry about our services, please contact us via email at office@nsms.ca

Stay safe and together we will get through this.

Yours sincerely,

Wendy McCulloch

Executive Director

North Shore Multicultural Society

The North Shore Multicultural Society remains committed to supporting clients during this uncertain time of COVID-19. While our office has physically closed to the public and clients, our staff continues to provide services online and by telephone.

To reach us via telephone, please call 604-988-2931

To reach us via email, please refer to our Services Directory below:

Thank you.

Please also visit our website for updated service notifications: www.nsms.ca/covid-19

Please refer to these resources for the most accurate and up to date information.

BC Centre for Disease Control

Vancouver Coastal Health

World Health Organization

March 13

March 12

March 11

March 10

March 5