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White Rock announces more COVID-19-related changes to parking

‘Counting on community to do the right thing’ when it comes to free hospital-parking spaces
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The City of White Rock has placed signage at city parking spots that have been reserved for hospital-related activities during the pandemic. (City of White Rock photo)

The City of White Rock has announced changes to waterfront, hospital and residents’ parking, as part of its response to changing demands during the pandemic.

According to a news release, the city will honour residents’ 2019 parking decals until Centennial Arena and city hall reopen; waterfront lots and the city’s parkade remain closed, and a 15-minute limit for vehicles parked on the north side of Marine Drive – to allow visitors to pickup take-out orders – will continue to be monitored; and, City of White Rock parking spaces at Peace Arch Hospital are now free.

READ MORE: City of White Rock to close waterfront parking lots to help slow spread of COVID-19

“Public safety and the ability of our health care workers to do their jobs are top priorities,” Mayor Darryl Walker said in the release.

“As a result, we have made parking changes to ensure that we are keeping a physical distance from each other and that those who are using the City’s parking near Peace Arch Hospital for hospital-related activities have free, reserved spaces to help them do their important work, serving the community and safeguarding our health.”

Those spaces have been identified with ‘reserved’ signage and have no time limit.

While the release notes they “will be monitored” for compliance, city communications manager Donna Kell said the city recognizes enforcing rules around their use “may be difficult.”

“We are counting on the community to do the right thing, and give our hospital workers and others the support they need, while working at the hospital, delivering supplies or visiting the facility,” she told Peace Arch News.

“We are all in this together.”

The issue of respecting such parking spaces was also raised by Minister of Health Adrian Dix Friday, during his and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry’s afternoon update on COVID-19.

Dix said it has “caused some difficulties” at certain hospitals.

“People who are not eligible to park in those facilities shouldn’t do so,” he said. “It’s our intention to ensure everybody who parks is doing so with a legitimate reason.”

Enforcement of White Rock’s other parking rules will continue, including around parking spots that are designated for people with disabilities; parking near fire hydrants, crosswalks and intersections; ‘no parking’ zones; driveways and laneways; and, around bus-stop, reserved parking and loading zones, the release adds.

Residents with parking complaints may email parking@whiterockcity.ca or call 604-541-2148.



tholmes@peacearchnews.com

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Tracy Holmes

About the Author: Tracy Holmes

Tracy Holmes has been a reporter with Peace Arch News since 1997.
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