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Playland delays reopening as B.C. fights COVID-19 third wave concerns

Click to play video: 'Concerns about Playland reopening amid pandemic third wave'
Concerns about Playland reopening amid pandemic third wave
A lot of concern about Playland re-opening on Saturday and what that means for the spread of COVID-19. – Apr 27, 2021

Playland has announced it will be delaying its reopening date until after the May long weekend over concerns around the spread of COVID-19.

The attraction was set to open every Saturday and Sunday in May but announced later on Tuesday that due to concerns about people travelling outside their health regions, they will remain closed.

Click to play video: 'Playland’s plans to open this weekend put on hold due to health concerns'
Playland’s plans to open this weekend put on hold due to health concerns

Everyone is being reminded not to travel outside their health authority for non-essential reasons and concerns were raised about people travelling to Vancouver just to attend Playland.

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Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry addressed the concerns on Monday at the province’s press conference, saying Vancouver Coastal Health is looking at the risks and benefits of reopening the park.

Click to play video: 'Dr. Bonnie Henry on concerns about plans for Vancouver’s Playland to open'
Dr. Bonnie Henry on concerns about plans for Vancouver’s Playland to open

Playland said enhanced safety measures will be in place when the doors can open.

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It says it will be operating with “significantly reduced capacities, physical distancing, enhanced cleaning procedures, and masks will be required on rides and in all queue lines.”

Click to play video: 'Playland hits pause on re-opening'
Playland hits pause on re-opening

The provincial government has split B.C. up into three regional zones in order to enforce the new travel restrictions.

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The government issued a new order last week using the Emergency Program Act to prohibit non-essential travel between Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley (Fraser Health and Coastal Health regions), Vancouver Island (Island Health region) and Northern/Interior (Interior Health and Northern Health regions).

Essential travel includes measures such as carrying out a work-related purpose, including volunteer work; moving to a different principal residence or assisting a person to move for that purpose; commercially transporting goods; receiving health-care services or social services or assisting someone to receive those services; attending court and complying with a court order, among others.

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