B.C. Premier John Horgan has extended the state of emergency for the sixth time, meaning the province remains within the longest period of emergency it has ever seen.
Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth initially declared a state of emergency on March 18 as a result of COVID-19, which was originally in effect for 14 days.
It was then extended five times by Premier Horgan, on March 31, April 15, April 29, May 13th, and May 27.
Today’s announcement further extends the state of emergency until the end of day on June 23, 2020. Declarations of emergency can be extended by the province by increments of 14 days at a time.
“This is part and parcel of our making sure that we’re putting public safety first, putting us in a position to better manage any challenges that may emerge and I’m confident that as the summer proceeds, we’ll see less and less requirement for the state of emergency,” said Horgan on Wednesday.
“But we are coming out of the flood season and looking squarely in the face of fire season so we’ll see how that unfolds.
