As the Good Friday and Easter long weekend began on Thursday evening, an alarm began to sound across social media in B.C.
Residents of communities outside the Lower Mainland were starting to see long BC Ferries line-ups, Alberta and other out-of-province licence plates on roads and highways, and loaded recreation vehicles.
Were thousands of people flouting requests to limit travel to non-essential trips only, and opting to burden smaller communities with limited medical and practical resources with holiday vacationing?
BC Ferries, which had already dramatically cut their service prior to the long weekend, said they were unable to stop people from travelling, though they were screening for COVID-19 symptoms and recent international travel. While they are reminding passengers to research their destinations for having adequate resources and to consider staying home to "flatten the curve," BC Ferries is only advising that people limit travels to "essential" needs only - but they are not enforcing it, or screening for it.
During her recent briefings, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry did not, however, see the movement on the weekend as significant or troublesome, instead focusing on the proportion of typical travel to the lowered numbers, as well as British Columbians' overall adherance to social distancing measures. Additionally, Dr. Henry has been in favour of people making use of public outdoor spaces - safely - to enjoy nature.
On Monday, April 13, Health Minister Adrian Dix reported weekend travel data from BC Ferries, with drastic year-over-year drops for this time period, for example, the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay and Nanaimo routes saw 92% fewer travellers this weekend than the Easter long weekend in 2019.
Still, people across B.C. are upset, and thousands have signed a Change.org petition called "Covid-19: Restrict Access To Vancouver Island - Essential Services/Supplies/Residents ONLY."
Launched in March by Bronwen Blunt, the petition has gained traction since the holiday weekend, and has racked up over 37,800 signatures towards its 50,000 goal. The petition is addressed to Prime Minister Trudeau and Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, and puts forth the following argument:
"Vancouver Island residents are worried about their safety amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and we’re still seeing tourists from other provinces and the US driving on our roads here. We need to be proactive and protect our residents - this island has a lot of people who are considered high risk and it’s in our best interest to come together as a community to protect our friends, family and neighbours."
While tourism from the U.S. is likely reduced if not wholly eliminated due to stringent border crossing measures in place, it is possible for non-essential travellers to continue to make trips aboard BC Ferries to Vancouver Island.
"People should be taking this situation very seriously by self isolating and social distancing but it’s not happening and we still have tourists and non-residents travelling over to the island," continues the petition.
"BC Ferries should be limited to essential services and implement restricted access for residents who are trying to return home to their families."
Of course, the petition author also believes that Island residents need to stay close to home, too.
"This needs to work both ways... residents from Vancouver Island shouldn’t be travelling to the mainland if it’s not essential."
Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Paul Manly of the Green Party joined the fray of people asking for more restrictions, writing a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B.C. Premier John Horgan asking for an order requiring B.C. Ferries to immediately restrict all non-essential travel on all routes.
“There can be no justification for a rise in ferry ridership during a long weekend in a public health emergency,” Manly wrote. “This can no longer just be a request for people to stay home. The government needs to restrict travel and enforce that restriction.”
Anyone interested in supporting the petition can sign on here.
- with files from Times Colonist
