The Thompson-Nicola Regional District is now closing its offices in Kamloops to the public until further notice, starting at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon.

Speaking on The Jeff Andreas Show, CAO Randy Diehl says as of this morning, the TNRD is encouraging the public to reach out to staff by internet or telephone instead of coming into the civic building. He says staff are also now encouraged to work from home if possible, although essential services will still be in place.

Diehl says the target is moving daily and almost hourly in terms of responding to COVID-19.

“We moved this week to shut down all library services in the region and all the community halls that we own and operate, and we’ve encouraged our other community halls that are operated by societies to do the same. We’re dealing with our fire halls around the region and telling them that perhaps you should suspend fire practices and make sure nobody in the public comes to the fire hall itself.”

Kamloops, Merritt, and several smaller municipalities in the region have also closed most public facilities.

At least one municipality, the District of Barriere has taken the step of doing council meetings by teleconference until further notice.