British Columbia supports the federal government’s move to impose new travel restrictions due to COVID-19, says Premier John Horgan.
Horgan said the decision will help keep British Columbians safe.
“Our government had been calling for mandatory quarantine measures to restrict international travel further. We trust the federal government’s efforts to monitor and follow up with these travellers will be vigilant,” he said in a statement.
On Wednesday, the premier said the province had no immediate plans to impose travel restrictions requiring anyone entering the province to self-isolate for 14 days.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new restrictions aimed at discouraging travel and reducing the spread of more infectious variants of COVID-19.
Trudeau said all returning Canadians will quarantine in an approved hotel for three days at their own expense while they await results of a COVID-19 test taken at the airport.
The federal government also reached an agreement with airlines to stop flights to Mexico and the Caribbean until April 30, Trudeau said.
A spokesman for the Vancouver Airport Authority said it is in “active discussions” with government partners on the practical details of the new testing requirements for travellers.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix joined Horgan in applauding the measures.
Henry said officials have also discussed travel from American destinations like Hawaii and Arizona, which are popular with western Canadians.
“I can’t say all the details, but we understand Canada is having ongoing discussions with our neighbours to the south,” she said, noting that the United States is in the process of updating its border regulations.
“I expect we will hear more about that in the coming days,” she said.
She repeated that British Columbians should plan to stay home for upcoming holidays like Family Day and the Lunar New Year and likely spring break in March, but said travel within B.C. may be possible again by then.
“Spring break is something we’re going to have to do at home. I hope, and given where we are at with the immunization program, with transmission, with all of us continuing to do our bit, by the time we get to spring break we’ll be able to safely travel within B.C.”
It will depend heavily on individuals doing their part now to reduce transmission, she said.
Travel from outside the province will be strongly discouraged, she added.
“If we can get this under control and get people protected, we can have summer again.”
