South Surrey’s Superstore was short on bread, paper products, meat and some canned goods Saturday evening. (Contributed photo)

South Surrey’s Superstore was short on bread, paper products, meat and some canned goods Saturday evening. (Contributed photo)

Daily update on COVID-19 pandemic in Surrey, White Rock and beyond

MARCH 15: Border traffic minimal, number of Surrey events cancelled

Live updates for Monday (March 16) can be found here.

• City of Surrey annouced Sunday afternoon that it will close all its recreational facilities Monday, including pools, arenas, and libraries until further notice.

• The Canada Border Services Agency says it stepped up screening procedures as a way to limit the spread of COVID-19. Southbound traffic at the Peace Arch border crossing was minimal Sunday morning, however, a few cars that crossed had B.C. plates. Thursday, B.C. health officials recommended people don’t travel outside of Canada.

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged retail restraint, cautioning Canadians against panic buying in response to the escalating COVID-19 outbreak.

• Fraser Health limits hospital visitors to curb spread of COVID-19.

• In a Sunday afternoon update, chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said all travellers are being asked to self-isolate when they enter Canada.

• More than 25,000 Canadians have been tested for COVID-19, as 313 cases of the virus have been diagnosed.

SEE ALSO: Music industry feeling the effects of COVID-19 pandemic

• A South Surrey business owner has found success amid the COVID-19 ‘panic.’ He’s sharing his advice with local small busienss owners.

• Some grocery store shelves in South Surrey were bare of a number of items Saturday evening, including pasta sauces, bread, toilet paper, frozen items, meats and some produce.

RELATED: As shelves empty, South Surrey shoppers say they’re ‘not panicking’ over COVID-19

“Buy a litre of milk in White Rock instead of a quart of milk in Bellingham,” B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a news conference.

• Sunday morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that a discussion about border closures or mandatory screening of all returning travellers will be part of a cabinet minister today.

• All City of White Rock facilities and recreation centres are open. Recreation and culture programs, excursions, meetings or events are still scheduled. All regular council meetings and committee meetings are still scheduled.

• It’s ‘business as usual’ for B.C. truckers crossing U.S. border despite COVID-19

SEE ALSO: Not all sick people require COVID-19 tests, B.C.’s top doctor says

• Shaw Communications opens its services to all Canadians to keep them better informed about the COVID-19 situation

• West Coast amusements suspends parks, events in B.C. due to COVID-19.

• Cypress Mountain to close ‘until further notice’ amid pandemic.

For a running list of cancelled events in the Surrey area, click here.

Peace Arch News