Albertans asked to stay away from B.C.
Albertans could face fines if they cross into B.C. as the province restricts non-essential travel between its three regional zones to stifle the spread of COVID-19.
B.C. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth, who is also the province's public safety minister, announced on Friday that law enforcement will have discretion to issue $575 tickets should locals, or travellers, defy the public health order.
“Our message on travel has not changed. Do the right thing and stay within the areas that you live,” he said. “The success of these travel restrictions will take the co-operation of all British Columbians. As with previous measures, this is an all-hands-on-deck approach.”
There were no targeted measures unveiled to prohibit interprovincial travel, but Farnworth said B.C. officials are working with tourism operators to deter out-of-province bookings and cancel existing ones.
“Now is not the time to encourage people to come out to B.C.,” he stressed. “If you want to have long-term viability, understand that these health restrictions, these travel restrictions, have been put in place for just this reason.”
New signage will also be posted at the Alberta boundary alerting motorists of the order, which comes into effect immediately and will be in place until after the May long weekend.
On Tuesday, Premier Jason Kenney said Alberta won't enact similar travel restrictions but appreciates B.C.'S decision to do so.
“We respect the right of provincial governments to bring in their own measures as the Atlantic provinces did … a year back,” said Kenney. “I think that B.C. has a very good point — this is not the time for non-essential travel.”
He said a “concerning ” number of P.1 variant cases have spread to Alberta as a result of travel from B.C., drawing attention to large gatherings at mountain resorts.
While it is not an absolute closure, Kenney said B.C.'S “very strong advisory” should be respected by Albertans so that travel can resume again when COVID-19 cases drop.
“While the tourism and hospitality sector has done an amazing job implementing rigorous health and safety plans to keep its staff and visitors safe, COVID-19 takes every opportunity to spread. Unnecessary travel is too risky right now,” said B.C. provincial and tourism leaders in a joint statement. “We are at a pivotal moment in our province and we must act now to protect the health-care system.”