Out-of-province plates? Take the bus if feeling harassed, B.C. premier advises

VICTORIA -- British Columbia Premier John Horgan says drivers who have outof-province licence plates on their vehicles should consider taking public transit or riding a bicycle if they’re feeling harassed by people. Horgan also suggested on Monday that drivers change to B.C. plates to avoid trouble from residents who are concerned about the spread of COVID-19.

“I would suggest, perhaps, public transit,” he said at a news conference conference. “I would suggest several heated disputes generated when resiresi that they get their plates changed. I would dents questioned drivers about their out-ofsuggest they ride a bike.” Provincial health province plates. Horgan said he can’t tell peoofficer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said interprople how to respond when seeing a different vincial travel is allowed. The border between licence plates but judging people by where Canada and the United States remains closed their vehicle is registered does not often tell to non-essential travel until at least Aug. 21, a complete story of their circumstances. “We when the issue will be reconsidered by the don’t know why they would continue to have Canadian and American governments. plates that are not consistent with B.C. and Police around the province have reported

&R WL XHG IURP SDJH

we should act accordingly,” he said. Drivers with out-of-province plates should also be aware that B.C. has wholeheartedly embraced numerous health restrictions in the effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the premier said.

“What I can tell these individuals is there’s a high degree of certainty in B.C. that we want to keep our borders closed until neighbouring jurisdictions get a better handle on

COVID-19,” COVID 19” he said said. “Those who are overtly cases and one death death, bringing B.C.’s B C’s total his community embarked on a COVID-19 COVID 19 declaring by their licence plates that they’re number of deaths to 191. kindness campaign to counter concerns from somewhere else should be mindful of The provincial COVID-19 numbers will be about animosity after reports of rudeness that.” A recent jump in the COVID-19 inupdated Monday afternoon. toward people driving vehicles with out-offection rate in B.C. has health officials raisHorgan said British Columbia residents province licence plates. ing concerns about larger gatherings where should also consider the individual circumMayor Terry Rysz said the northern physical distancing protocols are not bestances of other people before making judgOkanagan community, known as the houseing followed. Community transmission of ments based on their licence plates. boat capital of Canada, wanted residents to COVID-19 has occurred in the Okanagan “I ask people to walk a mile in other people’s start saying hello to people and stop looking and on the remote island of Haida Gwaii. shoes and try and live those experiences beat licence plates.

The most recent Health Ministry data profore you’re judgmental,” he said. vided Friday included 27 new COVID-19 Last month, the mayor of Sicamous said