B.C. urged to ‘stay local’ over long weekend as coronavirus recoveries near 80%

British Columbians are being urged to stay close to home over the Victoria Day long weekend, as the province records another three deaths and 15 new cases of COVID-19.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry made the plea at her Thursday briefing as she said nearly 79 per cent of B.C.’s 2,392 test-positive cases have now completely recovered.

5:03 ‘This weekend less travel is incredibly important’ B.C’s top doctor on staying close to home this Victoria Day long weekend

“This weekend less travel is incredibly important, we’re asking that of everyone,” said Henry.

“Whether in a car, on a boat, even by foot. There are many activities and places we can go safely and safely enjoy close to home.”

2:14 B.C. officials report 15 new COVID-19 cases, 3 additional deaths

Henry asked British Columbians to spend the weekend thinking and talking over their plans for safe social interaction once the province moves to Phase 2 of its coronavirus recovery plan on Tuesday.

“This weekend the best place to be in B.C. is right where we live, we are in a good place because people have been 100 per cent committed up to now,” added Health Minister Adrian Dix.

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“We have to make it a strong start, not a false start.”

3:11 ‘The way we can help one another right now is not to engage in non-essential travel’ Health minister on Victoria Day travel

How quickly the province moves to the next phase of its plan — and what the summer will look like — will depend largely how well British Columbians do at keeping their social “bubbles” small, safe and close to home.

“It will take us the next 14 to 28 days to understand the impact of the measures that we’re taking in the coming week,” said Henry.

The virus has claimed the lives of 135 people in the province. Out of the remaining 372 active cases, 58 were in hospital Thursday, a dozen of them in intensive care.

Henry said there were no new community outbreaks on Thursday.

An outbreak at Coquitlam’s Superior Poultry processing plant has been declared over, and the facility has been given the green light to reopen, with safety precautions, Henry added.

1:03 Dr. Bonnie Henry on how she protects her mental health during the coronavirus outbreak

Henry said more than 165,000 people have now taken an online survey to better understand the people’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier Thursday, the province said costs at ICBC were down due to fewer claims during the pandemic, but that the Crown corporation may lose up to $1 billion on investments.