Have you cancelled a trip due to the pandemic?
The latest provincial health order prohibits non-essential travel in B.C., but many people wonder how often the rule is enforced, if at all.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry told reporters in the daily coronavirus (COVID-19) briefing Wednesday afternoon that she thinks the majority of people are doing the right thing when it comes to travel.
Plus, enforcing the rule would be a "challenge."
"There are many reasons that people need to travel," stated Henry. "And we know that there are many essential reasons that people are coming and going."
Henry added that it would be "very much a challenge for workers at BC ferries" to check if people are travelling for essential purposes.
"And I don't believe it's their responsibility to," she said. "I think it is all of our responsibility to each other. To check out whether what we're doing is for our own needs and recreation, or whether we can postpone this travel until another time when it's safer."
At this time, all non-essential travel should be avoided. This includes travel into and out of B.C. and between regions of the province.
The order does not restrict flights entering and leaving B.C.
Anti-Maskers: Visible and vocal minority in B.C.
When asked how she feels about COVID-deniers, anti-maskers, and people who seem determined to flout the rules, Henry emphasized that they represent the minority of people in B.C.
That said, Henry reiterated that it is "difficult to see small groups" behave in these ways.
"And yes, there are people who are flouting the rules and that's why we have orders that allow people to be fined and we have implemented some of the measures that we've needed to take to close down places and to disperse gatherings," she said.
"But I also believe that in a crisis like this, if we appeal to people's better natures that comes out, if we give people the things that we need them to do, and the means to do it."
And what does B.C.'s top doctor want for Christmas?
"What I want for Christmas is for everyone to stay home and stay safe."
There are now 34,728 cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in B.C. after health officials announced 834 new cases.
