News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Rapid Tests for People 60+ at Pharmacies
Rapid antigen test kits are now available through community pharmacies to people aged 60 and older. Eligible individuals can pick up one kit containing five tests every 28 days from participating pharmacies at no cost. Individuals should pick up a test kit when they are asymptomatic to use at a future time when they have symptoms.
Rapid antigen test kits are now available through community pharmacies to people aged 60 and older.
Eligible individuals can pick up one kit containing five tests every 28 days from participating pharmacies at no cost. Individuals must present their personal health number when picking up the kit or, if others are picking up kits on their behalf, in addition to the individual’s name and personal health number, date of birth must also be supplied.
Individuals should pick up a test kit when they are asymptomatic to use at a future time when they have symptoms. B.C. is expecting to receive an additional 9 million tests from the federal government, which will support the province’s strategy to further distribute tests to members of the broader community.
Coquihalla Hwy Set to Reopen for Commercial Traffic on December 20, 2021
The Coquihalla Highway (Hwy. 5) is set to reopen on by end of day December 20, well ahead of the previously announced timeline. The reopening of Highway 5 will allow the province to remove the essential designation from Highway 3 and 99.
The reopening will be for commercial vehicles and inter-city buses only with reduced speeds in place to ensure driver safety. When the Coquihalla reopens to essential traffic, it will not be the same highway as before and travel will take longer, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure advised.
Government has also advised against travel as normal at this time, citing road conditions and rising COVID-19 cases.
The plan is as follows:
Monday, December 20: Highway 5 – will reopen to commercial traffic.
Monday, December 20: Highway 99 – the essential travel restriction from the junction of Highway 99 and Lillooet River Road to the BC Hydro Seton Lake Campsite access in Lillooet is expected to be lifted. The vehicle weight restriction of no more than 14,500 kg will remain.
Tuesday, December 21: Highway 3 – the essential travel restriction between the junction of Highways 5 and 3 in Hope to the west entrance to Princeton from Highway 3 will be removed 24 hours after Highway 5 opens.
While the work is ongoing to repair the damage done, people can still travel to connect with family and enjoy winter recreation by driving an alternate route, taking a bus, or flying.
Travellers are reminded to visit the DriveBC website for updates on BC road conditions and advisories.
As announced by Transportation Minister Rob Fleming on December 15, the Coquihalla Highway (Hwy. 5) is set to reopen on Monday, December 20, which is well ahead of the previously announced timeline. The reopening of Highway 5 will allow the province to remove the essential designation from Highway 3 and 99.
The reopening, will happen by the end of the day, however, will be for commercial vehicles and inter-city buses only with reduced speeds in place to ensure driver safety. When the Coquihalla reopens to essential traffic, it will not be the same highway as before and travel will take longer, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure advises.
Government has also advised against travel as normal at this time, citing road conditions and rising COVID-19 cases.
The plan is as follows:
Monday, December 20: Highway 5 – will reopen to commercial traffic.
Monday, December 20: Highway 99 – the essential travel restriction from the junction of Highway 99 and Lillooet River Road to the BC Hydro Seton Lake Campsite access in Lillooet is expected to be lifted. The vehicle weight restriction of no more than 14,500 kg will remain.
Tuesday, December 21: Highway 3 – the essential travel restriction between the junction of Highways 5 and 3 in Hope to the west entrance to Princeton from Highway 3 will be removed 24 hours after Highway 5 opens.
While the work is ongoing to repair the damage done, people can still travel to connect with family and enjoy winter recreation by driving an alternate route, taking a bus, or flying.
Travellers are reminded to visit the DriveBC website for updates on BC road conditions and advisories.