While COVID-19 has now been declared a pandemic, the Kamloops Centre for the Arts Referendum is still planned to go ahead as normal.

Chief election officer Deanna Campbell says public health officials could postpone an election in rare cases, but says right now there are no issues at all.

“We’re not currently experiencing a pandemic ourselves in the community, and we would only take any further precautions if we were instructed to do so by public health officials,” Campbell says.

“We’re taking all the precautions that we can and listening to the guidance of public health officials. Understandably, people are concerned. I’m sure you’ve been hearing it, and we’re hearing it. But we’re just following the guidance and recommendations that have been coming out.”

In terms of any potential ban on large crowds, Campbell says at this point the city doesn’t think that would impact a referendum either, where people are going in-and-out and not gathering.

“Especially because we’re always encouraging people to be in and out… We don’t want people milling about and hanging out, just to maintain the secrecy of the ballot.”