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Frontline Workers THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020 For videos, breaking news and more, visit us at surreynowleader.com
COVID-19
“It’s absolutely horrible. I don’t understand why someone would do something like this.”
‘Strong compliance’ in Surrey, city hears
South Surrey Walmart employee tests positive Nick Greenizan Black Press Media
An employee at the South Surrey Walmart has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. A representative of Walmart Canada’s head office in Ontario confirmed the news to Black Press Media Monday afternoon, after an inquiry earlier in the day. Black Press was first alerted to a possible positive case by someone associated with another employee at the South Surrey store, which is located at 2355 160 St. “We are keeping the associate in our thoughts and wish them a speedy recovery,” Walmart corporate affairs manager Felicia Fefer said by email. The employee last worked at the store on April 16, she added. Associates identified as having been in close, prolonged contact with the employee in question have been directed to self-isolate “out of an abundance of caution.” As well, “regular, enhanced cleaning” of the store continues to take place, as do physical-distancing measures. Meanwhile, the Fraser Health Authority recently declared COVID-19 outbreaks “over” at five local long-term care, assisted living and independent living facilities. Last week, Dr. Martin Lavoie, Fraser Health’s chief medical health officer, said these include Elim Village in Fleetwood, Evergreen Heights and Amica in White Rock, Delta View Care Centre in Delta, and Shaughnessy Care Centre in Port Coquitlam. But Lavoie said a staff member at Guildford Seniors Village is in isolation at home after being diagnosed with COVID-19. – With files from Tom Zytaruk
COVID-19
Enforcement team says out of 4,280 ‘proactive visits,’ only 36 were not following guidelines Tom Zytaruk tom.zytaruk@surreynowleader.com
Michael Gibbs, president of the Surrey Historical Society, inspects vandalized grave markers in the Surrey Centre Cemetery April 27. Gibbs wondered if it might be time to install security cameras in the 139-year-old cemetery. (Photo: Malin Jordan)
Cloverdale
Gravestone vandalism stuns historical society Malin Jordan Black Press Media
Seven grave markers were knocked over last week in Surrey Centre Cemetery. The grave stones were nearly all one metre or taller in height and were in the pioneer section of the cemetery, where most graves are more than 100 years old. “It’s absolutely horrible,” said Michael Gibbs, president of the Surrey Historical Society. “I don’t understand why someone would do something like this.” Sue Bryant, a member of the Surrey Historical Society, said she first heard about the vandalism April 26 through the “Friends of West Cloverdale” Facebook page. “I went up right away and took a bunch of photos,” said Bryant. “Several of the older
headstones on the City side of the pioneer section of the cemetery were damaged.” The damaged grave markers include families such as: McCallum, Elliott, Acorn, Wood, and others. Bryant gives cemetery tours and is very familiar with the stories of the families that are interred in the graveyard. “This is very sad, given some of the damaged headstones date back to the late 1800s, early 1900s, and at least two are of children less than a year old.” Bryant said the pioneer grave sites occupy a part of the graveyard that is somewhat secluded. “You can’t see the area from any houses. I’ve been there late at night and I’ve seen a lot of people hanging out there.” Bryant said the only other vandalism at Surrey Centre Cemetery that she can remember happened about 25 years
ago. Gibbs wondered if, given the profile of the pioneers, the historical value of the pioneer section, and its century-old markers, that it might be time for some more security. “I think we need some cameras in here,” noted Gibbs. “This cemetery is part of our heritage.” “Cemetery staff have started the process to repair the monuments which were vandalized last week,” wrote Laurie Cavan in an email to Black Press Media. “The contractor expects to have the repairs completed by the end of this week (May 1).” Cavan, the general manager of the Parks, Recreation, and Culture department, said the repair work will restore the grave markers in such a way that they’ll retain their historic appearance.
Surrey city manager Vincent Lalonde says the COVID-19 Compliance and Enforcement Team has reported “strong compliance” in this city with the provincial medical health officer’s directions related to the pandemic, at 99.2 per cent. Lalonde noted in a corporate report to council that the 0.8 percent that were not in compliLalonde ance “voluntarily elected to do so after a short conversation by team members on the importance of complying with these directions.” z See OUR VIEW, page 10 Surrey’s Emergency Operations Centre, or EOC, was activated on Feb. 17, prior to the World Health Organization declaring a pandemic. The Compliance and Enforcement Team, established March 26 and comprised of the Surrey RCMP and city bylaws officers, completed 4,280 “proactive visits” and patrols between then and April 14, finding 36 instances of “non-compliance.” Continued on A3