From their manager John Forrest
****From Northen Escapes Heli in Terrace***
Hello Terrace,
March 22, 2020
— For Immediate release —
Northern Escape Heli Skiing Guest tests Positive for Covid-19
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic and out of an abundance of caution for our guests, our staff and the community we operate in, here in Terrace BC, Norther Escape Heli Skiing ceased all operations on March 16th, 2020.
The safety of our guests and staff are the very foundation of our operations. Over the weekend of March 14/15 it became clear that the international response to the Covid-19 Pandemic had ramped up significantly here in North America. Given the increased risk of inviting international guests into our community we made the decision to cease operations immediately.
At that time we were operating two lodges, Yellow Cedar Lodge and our remote Mountain Lodge, with approx. 28 guests in total. On March 16th both lodges were evacuated of all guests by 11:00 am and only a skeleton crew of staff remained to help clean up and shut down the lodges. Our remaining staff were laid off for the remainder of the season. Canceling the last 4 weeks of our season was a difficult financial decision with far reaching implications for our company, staff, guests, overseas agents and suppliers, but we believe it was the right thing to do.
Out of that abundance of caution, we also requested that all staff should begin a self-quarantine for 14 days and that should they show signs or symptoms of the virus that they should seek medical attention. We took the further step of reaching out to our guests from the previous three weeks and requested that they notify us if they were experiencing any signs and symptoms of the virus or if any had tested positive for Covid-19.
Late last night, March 21st, we were notified of a guest that had begun to show symptoms after he had returned home and had subsequently tested positive for Covid-19 earlier that day. The guest, from the United States, stayed with us over the weekend of March 13-16 at Yellow Cedar Lodge. He showed no signs of symptoms at that time. He is currently in good health with only minor symptoms.
We are working with the B.C. Center for Disease Control and have notified all people and staff that we are aware of that may have come into contact with this person. The BC CDC’s recommendation is for them to self isolate for 14 days and to seek medical attention should they develop any sign or symptoms of the virus.
I would like to express that we are making this public admission out of a sense of responsibility to our community that we live and recreate in. We are not immune to this Virus and we are not too far away to be severely impacted. It is also not to late to do something about it and “Flatten the Curve”. Please heed the instructions of Dr. Bonnie Henry, our Provincial Health Officer, for social distancing and self isolation when warranted.
Sincerely,
John Forrest
President
Northern Escape Heli Skiing
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