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British Columbians who travel between health authorities for non-essential reasons could face a $575 fine under a new order now in effect until after the May long weekend, the government announced Friday in a bid limit the spread of COVID-19.
The new order will divide the province into three regional zones, including the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, and the Northern/Interior regions, said Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth. Police officers will establish checkpoints, similar to the roadblocks set up to catch impaired drivers, on major travel routes such as ferry terminals, Highway 1 into B.C.’s Interior and the Coquihalla Highway.
“The agreement negotiated between the parties has been accepted by our membership,” union president Graeme Johnston said in a statement. “Our Union acknowledges we are in difficult times, and we are hopeful our commitment to helping the ferry system weather these difficult times will be recognized in better times come the wage reopeners.” About 4,000 employees are covered by the collective agreement, which marks 22 years of labour stability at B.C. Ferries, said Mark Collins, the corporation’s president and CEO. Collins said in a statement that the agreement provides for “fair and modest” wage and benefit increases. He thanked the B.C. Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union for a “collaborative and professional process.”