A petition calling for a restriction of access to Vancouver Island has gained significant momentum over the Easter long weekend.
The change.org petition launched three weeks ago called for BC Ferries to ensure that those only essential service workers, supplies, and residents were making the trip to Vancouver Island.
“People should be taking this situation very seriously by self isolating and social distancing but it’s not happening and we still have tourists and non-residents travelling over to the island,” reads the petition.
“BC Ferries should be limited to essential services and implement restricted access for residents who are trying to return home to their families.”
See also: BC Ferries sailings reach max passenger capacity despite pleas to stay home over long weekend
The petition reached a milestone of 35,000 signatures on Monday, and as of the time of publication, has garnered 38,559 signatures.
In the week leading up to the Eastern long weekend, public health officials constantly reminded the public of the necessity to stay at home and avoid non-essential travel.
But Thursday and Good Friday saw BC Ferries reach their maximum allowed passenger capacity — currently running at 50 per cent of their usual vessel capacity, along with multiple sailing cancellations due to Transport Canada regulations — with many people who appeared to be out of province and travelling for leisure.
Multiple reports and photos uploaded to social media suggested people packing up their motor homes and camping gear and heading to remote destinations like Galiano Island and Pender Island.
When fears of transmission and the directive to avoid all non-essential travel was brought up with BC Ferries, the company clarified that they do not have the ability to enforce the rule.
“We are asking all not to travel unless absolutely essential, however we do not have the authority to restrict travel in this regard. Any strict enforcement based on reason for travel will need to come from the provincial government directly,” reads a statement from the crown corporation.
Earlier this week, Transport Canada issued guidelines prohibiting non essential travel on all commercial marine vessels that can carry 12 or more passengers. However, there is currently no mechanism in place to enforce this ban.
On Monday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said she had received many questions and complaints about those who appeared to be travelling for non-essential purposes on BC Ferries vessels.
She stated that BC Ferries has reported an over 80 per cent decline on travellers for all routes.
Further, Health Minister Adrian Dix added that there was a 92 per cent decline for travel on major routes over the 2020 Easter long weekend compared the same time period last year.
These numbers, along with her own observations of people keeping their distance from others while out and about, are enough for the provincial health officer to state that the province has been united in “keeping our firewall strong”, and reminds us that many need to travel for essential purposes.
See all the latest updates about the global COVID-19 pandemic on Vancouver Island
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 1,920,258.
Over 119,400 people have died from the illness and 443,786 have made a full recovery.
