The province is shutting down all non-essential travel through B.C. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

TRAVEL BAN

Non-essential travel prohibited in B.C. for two weeks

Nov 18, 2020 | 11:23 AM

NANAIMO — The premier is putting the brakes on travel plans for the next two weeks.

John Horgan announced non-essential travel throughout the province is prohibited for two weeks starting Wednesday, Nov. 18.

UPDATE: Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry clarified during her briefing on Thursday, Nov. 19, non-essential travel is highly discouraged but not outrightly banned as Premier Horgan indicated.

“We can’t lose our resolve now after nine months of working together to flatten the curve and protect each other. We cannot now give up on that cause,” he told reporters.

“We need to stay in our tight social circles.”

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The province defines non-essential travel as any movement for purposes other than work, gathering essential goods like groceries or attending medical appointments.

Non-essential travel throughout B.C. and to other provinces was continually advised against by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, but not specifically prohibited as the province experiences a second wave of COVID-19 cases.

No specifics were given about how this would be enforced and if those travelling would be required to quarantine.

Cases of COVID-19 have risen sharply in recent weeks in all health authorities but primarily Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health.

The number of cases within Island Health have risen by roughly 14 each day for the last week.

Nearly 150 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed for Island Health so far in November.

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