Residents of British Columbia are being told daily now that we are not to travel about the province as usual, particularly to enjoy the Easter long weekend.
But one legendary roamer has been granted a "special eggs-emption" in B.C. by Premier John Horgan: the Easter Bunny.
"As Premier of the Province of British Columbia, I hereby authorize The Easter Bunny to travel freely into and throughout the Province of British Columbia for the essential service of Spreading Eggs-ellent Cheer," reads a signed proclamation Horgan shared Wednesday morning.
The Bunny, who typically makes a stop in many B.C. households to leave eggs for hunting, baskets full of gifts and treats, and plenty of springtime smiles, is definitely having a different kind of Easter this year, thanks to the COVID-19 crisis.
Typically communities and families gather for outdoor egg hunts and other activities, as well as festive meals and religious services.
This week, Horgan met with Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, to connect with religious leaders about alternative methods of worship, observance, and celebration for Easter and other holidays that are upon us at this time, like Passover, which begins at sundown Wednesday.
Some families may have been scrambling to come up with ways to mark Easter, and how to address the issue of the Easter Bunny from logistics of getting goodies into the house when the whole family is staying home together, to whether the Bunny would even be "allowed" to hop about as usual, given the orders from local, provincial, and federal leaders about distancing.
Communities have been organizing visual egg hunts, where people decorate large paper eggs to display in windows for neighbours to "hunt" during local walks.
Now the Easter Bunny has official permission to carry on.
"I am pleased to welcome you to our province for your annual egg-delivering duties," reads Horgan's "Special Eggs-emption" notice.
"This year, we're all looking out for our loved ones and festivities look quite different. I know that you're also taking extra care, so even if you can't make it to every home, I want to thank you for sharing your positive spirit and happiness with kids and families across the province."
Here's the official declaration:
Photo: John Horgan/Facebook
