Most British Columbians are doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19 by following public health advice to stay in their community and avoid non-essential travel.
The third wave of the pandemic is here and the fight against COVID-19 has changed with the introduction of more quickly spreading variants.
More than ever, it is important to know the risks and how to protect oneself and others. Staying close to home for the next five weeks gives everyone the best chance to enjoy the summer and be in a place where we can put the pandemic behind us.
Staying in one’s community means they are not going to and from COVID-19 hot-spots and inadvertently spreading the virus.
Emergency Management Oceanside asks everyone to avoid non-essential travel within the region as well. The outdoors can still be enjoyed at local beaches and parks in the community.
READ MORE: COVID-19: Emergency Management Oceanside issues latest update
The travel restrictions set by the provincial government on April 23 were done so as to stop the spread of COVID-19. Non-essential travel is restricted between certain regions of the province and will be in place until midnight on May 25. Fines can be issued to those who leave their region for non-essential travel. Non-essential travel includes; vacations; weekend getaways; tourism activities; visiting family or friends for social reasons; and out-of-area recreation activities.
The health order limits travel into, and out of, three regional zones in the province – the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Interior/Northern parts of B.C.
The order was designed to discourage and stop recreational and leisure travel but does not restrict essential travel between regional zones. This includes for work, for school and to help provide care for a sick loved one. For more information on current travel restrictions, more information can be found at www2.gov.bc.ca.
– NEWS Staff, submitted