Province takes ‘unprecedented’ action to curb the spread of COVID-19

The B.C. government is implementing unprecedented measures to stem the spread of Covid 19.

Public safety minister Mike Farnworth said it’s become clear additional extraordinary measures are needed to ensure critical supply chains are maintained and to safeguard the most vulnerable.

The province is bringing in orders under the Emergency Program Act that will ban the resale of food, medical supplies, personal protective equipment, cleaning and other essential supplies and working with retailers to restrict quantities of certain essential products at the point of sale.

Another measure will give municipal bylaw officers the authority to enforce provincial orders that could carry fines or jail time.

That will include people not following social distancing rules, or holding gatherings of more than 50 people, and ensuring businesses ordered to close are doing so.

Premier John Horgan stated provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry’s orders on social distancing are not suggestions — they are the law.

“This is not a drill. This is a pandemic,” Horgan told a news conference.

Municipal states of emergency have been suspended to ensure a coordinated approach under the provincial state of emergency.

“Local governments are being asked to identify and make available any publicly-owned facility that may be used for pandemic response including facilities for self isolation, medical care and testing, ” said Farnworth.

More details to come.