We are getting a better idea of how policing agencies will enforce the COVID-19 pandemic non-essential travel bans in B.C.
On Friday, Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General outlined how enforcement will work including authorizing police to conduct road checks on travel corridors between the regions.
The travel regions include: Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley (Fraser Health and Coastal Health regions), Vancouver Island (Island Health region) and Northern/Interior (Interior Health and Northern Health region).
“The checks, as outlined in the provincial government announcement, are specifically intended to help limit non-essential travel in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” said BC RCMP Chief Supt. Dave Attfield. “The emphasis will be on informing travellers of the order, identifying whether or not the purpose for travel is essential as listed in the order, and providing every opportunity for travellers to turn around voluntarily. It is anticipated that the vast majority of travellers will voluntarily comply, minimizing the need for enforcement.”
Attfield said the BC RCMP is currently in the process of determining where checks will be conducted to ensure public and officer safety.
He said these checks will be conducted by a dedicated team and will not reduce police service in the communities which we serve. All police personnel and partner agencies taking part in the checks will be following COVID-19 protocols to ensure the safety of everyone.
The road checks may be put in place at any time until the order is lifted at 12:01 a.m. on May 25, 2021, (after the May long weekend). The road checks may be set up on highway corridors that connect different regions of the province to remind travellers of the order.
Should the need arise for DPD to support RCMP in any of their efforts, including at the BC Ferries terminal in Tsawwassen, or elsewhere in the community, DPD will respond.
“As always, Delta Police Department will respond to any calls for service regarding disruptive behaviour at or on BC Ferries,” said DPD spokesperson Cris Leykauf. “We encourage all Delta residents and those travelling through our community to abide by the Public Health Orders now in place.
“Our approach throughout this pandemic has been to seek compliance through education. However, if a situation is egregious, or behaviour in defiance of the Public Health Orders is ongoing, Delta Police has and will issue fines and tickets.”
-with files from Vancouver is Awesome
