A collaboration between a number of Revelstoke organizations is sending out a simple message for community members to mask up in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Originally spearheaded by the Revelstoke Recovery Task Force, now Tourism Revelstoke, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce and community members have also jumped on board to help with the mask initiative. Through the initiative, 20,000 reusable masks will be available to residents, visitors, community members, businesses and any one else who wants or needs one free of charge. Tourism Revelstoke marketing director Meghan Tabor said the project is a proactive effort to keep residents and visitors in the community of Revelstoke safe.
“Wearing a mask is recommended by public health authorities, confirming that this is one of the easiest and most effective steps that we can take to protect each other and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Not only are we protecting ourselves, but we are showing our guests and residents that we care about them. We have added “We are now recommending the use of masks in our indoor public spaces or crowded places” to The Revy Rules,” Tabor wrote in an email response to the Mountaineer.
In addition, the Revelstoke Accommodation Association/Tourism Revelstoke and RMR are working on their own mask policy recommendations that will include encouraging visitors and residents to mask up in indoor public spaces or crowded places.
The masks were ordered through local company Integrated Apparel at a cost of $2.25 per mask (overall total $45,000). Funding for the masks came via the Resort Municipality Initiative funding stream.
Distribution of the masks, which are expected to arrive soon, is being organized through the Chamber of Commerce. Businesses are encouraged to email [email protected] to pre-order. Tabor said the response to the mask initiative from the tourism and business community “has been fantastic so far [with] nearly 2,000 requests from businesses. Members of the public can pick up a mask at the Revelstoke Visitor Information Centre.
While the masks are free for those who want one, those who are able to are asked to bring a donation (either non-perishable food item or cash donation) for the Community Connections Food Bank.
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