B.C. Covid restrictions extended five weeks, random travel checks coming

Apr 19, 2021 | 2:39 PM

Premier John Horgan says serious measures are needed to salvage B.C.’s summer from the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The province announced new measures Monday to keep people from travelling outside of their health authority as a way to reduce rising — and record — Covid case numbers.

Horgan said non-essential travel will be restricted to local travel only, and on Friday, orders will be issued under the Emergency Program Act to restrict people’s ability to leave their health authority.

“This will be conducted by random audits, not unlike roadside stops for Counter Attack during the Christmas season. They will be susceptible to all travellers, not just a few travellers. They will be random, and there will be a fine if you are travelling outside your area without a legitimate reason,” the premier said.

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Horgan said no additional authority will be given to police.

“This will be a random audit to ensure people are following the guidelines.”

“It’s for that small group of people that are not listening, and not paying attention, that are putting others in their community at risk,” said Horgan.

At the end of this week, BC Ferries will stop accepting bookings for recreational vehicles such as campers and trailers.

New border signs at the B.C./Alberta border will be erected reminding travellers from outside the province that only essential travel is allowed.

Horgan said the “circuit breaking” restrictions brought in last month, such as a ban on indoor dining at bars and restaurants, will be extended another five weeks to May 24, the end of the long weekend. That ban also includes group fitness activities at gyms and indoor social gatherings.

The Expedited Workplace Closure order also remains in place.

New orders will be in put in place later this week under the Emergency Program Act, to restrict vacation and recreation travel outside of your health authority.

“Our hospitals are stretched, our health-care workers exhausted. They are taking care of our friends and loved-ones and we need to take care of them through our actions, so they can continue to do their jobs for us. Let’s do our part, to use our layers, to stay local and err on the side of caution, so we can put COVID-19 behind us,” Health Minister Adrian Dix said.

Horgan said grant programs to help businesses will also be extended.

The province also announced it will start to offer the AstraZeneca vaccine to people aged 40 and up at pharmacies.

by Pete McIntyre

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