Tourists & visitors not welcome on band land during Covid crisis

The Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) is encouraging seasonal visitors to stay away from reserve lands until further notice.

Chief Byron Louis said due to the COVID-19 outbreak, they have asked certificate of possession holders to contact current and past renters to tell them to stay home as they will not be allowed on reserve lands for at least the next few weeks.

“Our simple message for those contemplating visiting or staying on or near the near OKIB reserve is please don’t,” Louis said in a news release issued by the band Friday. “As chief and council we want to ensure that we do everything we can as a First Nation to safeguard our community and in particular our elders.”

“Plain and simple, if you rent a cabin or secondary home in the Okanagan and want to visit it or stay at it during this pandemic, please, not now. Not in the coming weeks. Stay home,” Louis added.

Louis said the band will be putting up notices respectfully asking non-Okanagan and non-residents to stay away from OKIB reserve lands during the pandemic.

OKIB members or residents returning home after travelling are asked to self-isolate at home for no less than 14 days.

Louis said all Okanagan members and residents within their territory are required to practise physical distancing at all times.

“We recommend you keep a minimum distance of two metres between yourself and any other person. We also recommend wearing a mask, scarf or other face covering to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19,” Louis said.

The chief concluded by thanking all those involved for their assistance in this matter.

“Remember, the life you save could be your own or that of a loved one,” he said.