Liberal candidate for Kelowna-Mission Renee Merrifield at yesterday's in-person candidates forum.
(ROB MUNRO / iNFOnews.ca)
October 21, 2020 - 5:29 PM
Renee Merrifield says she did not have to self-isolate after someone who attended a campaign event at her house last week later tested positive for COVID-19.
“This is really a great example of the protocols working,” the Liberal candidate in the Kelowna-Mission riding told iNFOnews.ca today, Oct. 21.
Last Wednesday she met with less than 20 people outside at her home. They wanted to know more about her as a candidate, she said.
Everyone entered separately, had to sanitize their hands before walking in, there were gloves and masks available, everyone had to stay six feet apart and there were chairs placed six feet apart, Merrifield said.
On Sunday she learned that one of the people who attended had been contacted by health authorities because they had been in the Lower Mainland and possibly had contact with someone who had COVID-19. That person tested positive for COVID-19 but did not have symptoms, she said.
As soon as she got the news, she called Interior Health, explained what had happened and asked what to do.
“Interior Health said there was no contact,” Merrifield said. “You did not actually come in contact with COVID. Somebody who attended a meeting had COVID but, in order for you to have contact, you have to be within six feet for 15 minutes. I was never within six feet of this person.”
Out of an abundance of caution, she did notify everyone who had attended the event and told them what had happened but, she said, she was not required to notify them or others.
She did attend an in-person candidates forum yesterday that was hosted by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, which also followed COVID-19 protocols.
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