The B.C. government has enlisted the help of social media influencers in Kelowna to help spread the word about reducing the spread of COVID-19.
The new communication strategy comes after dozens of people in their 20s and 30s across B.C. were diagnosed with the virus following their attendance at a number of parties in Kelowna in late June and early July.
During a press conference Tuesday, Health Minister Adrian Dix said “a lot of social influencers” in Kelowna are helping share messaging about the safest practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“Part of the communication of that message is finding new ways to do that and I’m so proud, and you’ll see it on Instagram, the work of different people from all walks of life, from people involved in fitness to food to tourism to community activities who are posting on Instagram right now to get that message out,” Dix said, adding the social media messaging started over the past few days.
Dix said they are planning on taking further action to help slow the spread of the virus, now that cases are trending upwards province-wide.
“We are going to have to adjust and adjust and adjust again and again and again throughout this pandemic which I remind everybody, is not going away, there is no cure, and there is no vaccine,” he said.
“We also have to acknowledge that there are unorganized circumstances that were involved in this outbreak in Kelowna and that we have to take responsibility for those. We have to work with the owners of certain businesses to improve the circumstances at those businesses and that’s the purpose of it.
“So a lot of it won’t be new regulations although I expect some adjustments in those things and you’ll see that in public health advice and potentially in public health orders, but it’s also the work we have to do together and the commitment we have to make to one another.”
While it was not originally scheduled, Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry are holding a COVID-19 press conference Wednesday afternoon, where new measures could be announced.
