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by Craig Takeuchi on April 23rd, 2021 at 4:00 PM 1 of 2 2 of 2
The rapid transmission of COVID-19 variants has raised concerns about travel for some time but it’s only now that widespread enforced measures will be undertaken in B.C.
Yesterday (April 22), the federal government announced that flights from India and Pakistan would be banned for 30 days due to the B1617 variant.
B.C. Premier John Horgan had announced on April 19 that provincial travel restrictions would be forthcoming this week due to continually rising hospitalized case numbers in B.C..
Travel order
Today (April 23), B.C. Solicitor General and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announced a new order, based upon advice from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
The new health order establishes three regions Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health, Northern and Interior Health, and Island Health. It prohibits non-essential travel between them. The order also includes non-essential travellers from outside the province.
The order, under the Emergency Program Act, will remain in place until after the Victoria Day long weekend, ending May 25, said Farnworth.
“While this new legal order targets those who are travelling across regional zones for recreational purposes, the advice from [provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry] to stay local remains in place everywhere in B.C.,” Farnworth said. “Do not go to Whistler or Tofino – even on a day trip. Everyone should stay close to home.”
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The move comes after nearly six months of pressure to make the provincial advisory against travel enforceable as recreational travel exported the virus and its variants from the Lower Mainland.
Hospitalizations are at a record high and have caused nine Lower Mainland hospitals to postpone non-urgent scheduled surgeries for the next two weeks.
“These measures most importantly can save lives, and it’s in the best interest of all British Columbians to follow them,” said Farnworth.
While the regions are large, Farnworth said the goal is to stop people travelling long distances away from their communities.
Tourism industry associations are also working with the province to cancel out-of-region and interprovincial accommodation bookings, he said, although it is not required.