New Provincial Restrictions Announced To Help Save Our Summer
Kelowna, B.C. - Premier John Horgan announced new provincial restrictions today that, together with increased vaccinations, should help to bend the curve and hopefully Save Our Summer. The new restrictions will remain in place until after the May Long Weekend (including the previously announced restrictions on indoor dining).
The Premier also noted that as of Friday, new orders under the Emergency Program Act will be put in place to restrict British Columbians from making non-essential travel bookings in B.C. outside the health authority in which they reside. Tourism operators have been asked to assist in this effort by voluntarily declining reservations from customers residing outside their health region until after the May long weekend.
Random audits will be conducted and fines levied to further discourage people from travelling without a legitimate reason.
BC Ferries will not be take bookings for RVs or campers and will contact those with previous bookings to confirm that their travel is essential. They are also supporting by not adding additional sailings leading up to the long weekend, as done in past years.
British Columbians who have made campground reservations outside their health authority region will receive refunds. New signs will be posted along the Alberta border, reminding potential visitors that only essential travel into B.C. is allowed.
Premier Horgan noted that the new rules are not designed to put more stress on struggling tourism operators and that government has been and will continue to work collaboratively with the sector. Additional information about the travel restrictions and their enforcement is expected to be released later this week.
It is five week period which, if we work together and follow the provincial guidelines, will help ensure that we reduce the further spread of COVID-19 and the variants and enable us to have a summer, fall, and winter that we can all begin to enjoy again.
We will continue to bring you additional details as more information becomes available.
Supports for Tourism Businesses
The B.C. Circuit Breaker Program will be extended and is available to support businesses through this time through grant funds. For more information, including the application process and eligibility, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/business-relief
For more information on the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program, including the application process and eligibility, visit: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/economic-recovery/business-recovery-grant
Other supports are available for Thompson Okanagan tourism businesses and employees as part of TOTA's Tourism Resiliency Program, including:
1-1 Advisor Virtual Meeting with a TOTA team member
Expert Business Mentorship with an Okanagan College business professor
Mental Health Support through the Canadian Mental Health Association
Micro Loans through Community Futures
Email Recovery@TOTABC.com for quick questions or to schedule a 1-1 call/video with a TOTA Advisor