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Everything to know about B.C.'s new guidance on travel in the province

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Ready to explore B.C. this summer?

Provincial officials announced the beginning of Step 2 in B.C.'s Restart Plan Monday (June 14), which will allow British Columbians to enjoy travel across the province for the first time in several months. 

"Thanks to our collective efforts and commitment to get vaccinated, we are ready to take another step forward in our careful restart," said Premier John Horgan. "This next step means seeing more of the people we love, visiting more of our favourite places and safely celebrating the major milestones we've missed. Better days are in sight, but we must continue to do our part, get vaccinated, keep our layers of protection strong and work together to put this pandemic behind us." 

Recreational travel is now permitted across the province and the order restricting travel has been lifted.  However, Horgan noted that "we are advising against travel outside of the province."

In Step 2 of B.C.'s Restart Plan, the following restrictions have been lifted and you may enjoy the following: 

• Provincial travel restrictions lifted
• Recreational travel within B.C. allowed
• BC Transit and BC Ferries offers increased service as needed

Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, said, "Our step-by-step reopening plan is giving British Columbians what they have been waiting for. The best way we can show our love for B.C. is to get out and eat, stay, shop and play. Whether it's watching your kids play sports outside, going to the theatre or travelling to new and exciting destinations across the province, we can finally get out and support people, jobs and our economy."

B.C. prepares to safely move to Step 2 of its restart plan

Public health safety protocols, such as mask-wearing in all indoor public spaces and physical distancing, will remain in place during Step 2.

British Columbians travelling within B.C. are asked to plan ahead and be respectful while visiting communities, especially smaller and rural towns, as well as Indigenous communities - including respecting local travel advisories. Travel manners and guidelines to follow during summer trips and vacations include:

* getting vaccinated;

* pre-trip planning and research before arriving at destination;

* respecting any local travel advisories to isolated and remote communities and Indigenous communities;

* following masks guideline;

* respecting personal space and practising good hygiene, including frequent handwashing; and

* no travelling for anyone who is sick. If symptoms develop while travelling, self-isolate immediately and contact 811 for guidance and testing.

The transition into Step 2 of the four-step restart plan aligns with key metrics for moving forward. More than 75 per cent of adults are vaccinated with their first dose, exceeding the target Step 2 minimum threshold of 65 per cent. The other metrics for moving through the stages - COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations - continue to steadily decline. 

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New travel rules allow non-essential visitors back into B.C.

B.C. is welcoming international travellers back into the province for non-essential travel, such as tourism.

New federal rules came into effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, meaning foreign nationals who meet entry conditions will not have to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

• Related: What you need to need to know about the new travel requirements

The team at Vancouver International Airport said they’ve been planning for the move for months, making sure all systems were in place to welcome passengers back.

“We’re ready for you, we’ve planned this out, we’ve looked at it, we’ve made it as efficient as possible,” said Robyn McVicker, vice-president of passenger care.

Fully vaccinated passengers are required to enter their vaccine and testing information into the ArriveCan app, which is then checked by a border agent upon arrival. McVicker said passengers could still be subject to random COVID-19 testing.

There are a number of departure and arrival testing options available on Sea Island.

The reopening of the border to foreign nationals is a welcome boost for the tourism industry, but could come too late for many summer operators, according to Walt Judas, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association Of B.C.

“For those seasonal businesses the window has pretty much closed and they won’t see any business until next year from the international market,” said Judas. “Most people have already spent their summer holidays elsewhere or closer to home.”

But Judas said there is now certainty for the industry moving forward, particularly for winter operators, major events and conferences.

“Now that the borders are reopen they have some certainty to be able book that business and be confident that it is going to take place,” Judas said.

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Here are all the exemptions to B.C.'s new non-essential travel ban

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New restrictions on travel across health authorities in British Columbia are in effect in the province as of today (April 23) and will last through May 25.

The ban on non-essential travel, as announced Friday by Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth, generally splits the province into three regions consisting of some combined health authorities. Under the new public health orders, Northern and Interior Health are unified as one region, as are Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health; Island Health stands alone, with some intra-region exceptions.

The restrictions, aimed at curbing further spread of COVID-19 within the province, are focused on recreational travel, according to Farnworth, and violating the ban will carry consequences. 

Messaging for the past year in B.C. has been for people to "stay local," and that message remains the same, despite the wide geography the combined regions offer residents as far as sanctioned movement goes within their home or neighbouring health authority. However, leaving your own area remains discouraged, said Farnworth, offering examples like hiking, where a North Shore resident is asked to go for hikes at Grouse, and a Tri-Cities resident is asked to stick to Burke Mountain. 

However, there are some "reasonable exemptions," said Farnworth for what would take someone out of their home health authority region.

Here are all the exemptions to the non-essential travel restrictions in B.C. in place April 23 through May 25, 2021:

* moving to a different principal residence or assisting a person to move for that purpose;

* carrying out a work-related purpose, including volunteer work;

* commercially transporting goods;

* receiving health-care services or social services or assisting someone to receive those services;

* attending court;

* complying with a court order;

* exercising parental responsibilities, including spending parenting time with a minor child;

* accessing child care;

* attending classes or receiving training through a post-secondary institution or school;

* responding to emergencies or critical incidents, including incidents that involve search and rescue operations;

* providing care or assistance to a person who requires care or assistance because of a psychological, behavioural or health condition, or a physical, cognitive or mental impairment;

* visiting by an essential visitor or a social visitor as provided in the guidance of the Ministry of Health set out in a document titled Ministry of Health - Overview of Visitors in Long-Term Care and Seniors' Assisted Living that went into effect on April 1, 2021;

* attending a funeral service;

* travelling under the authority of a variance of an order issued by the provincial health officer under the Public Health Act if the variance was made before this order comes into force;

* travelling for the purpose of avoiding the risk of abuse or violence;

* travelling by residents of the local health area of Bella Coola Valley or Central Coast to Port Hardy to obtain essential goods and supplies;

* travelling by residents of the local health area of Hope to Chilliwack to obtain essential goods and supplies;

* travelling by residents of the Northern Health Authority region into the Nis×a'a Health Authority region;

* travelling by residents of the Nis×a'a Health Authority region into the Northern-Interior Health Authority region;

* returning to a person's own principal residence.

Note: the list of exemptions was updated by the B.C. government on April 30, 2021 to include people who are avoiding abuse, as well as people who are visiting long-term care facilities.

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Here's everything you need to know about travel in B.C. this year

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If you've been dying to head out on a road trip in B.C., you might be able to do so in a matter of weeks.

Provincial officials revealed B.C.'s restart plan Tuesday (May 25), which indicates the restrictions that prohibit non-essential travel between three regional zones in the province will continue until June 15; recreational travel within a regional zone is permitted.

The regional zones are:

• Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley (Fraser Health and Coastal Health regions);
• Vancouver Island (Island Health region); and
• Northern/Interior (Interior Health and Northern Health regions).

On June 15, as long as COVID-19 numbers continue to trend down, the province will lift the restrictions banning travel across the province. Recreational travel will be permitted and BC Transit and BC Ferries will increase services as needed. 

Travel across Canada is expected to resume on Canada Day (July 1).  

B.C.'s Restart — a four-step plan to bring B.C. back together — will be a slow and gradual return to a more normal life, with safety and health protocols such as mask-wearing and physical distancing remaining in place and mandatory during the initial two steps of the plan.

'It is a very effective measure of stopping transmission in introductions into communities'

When asked why restrictions on gatherings and indoor dining are easing up ahead of travel, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry told reporters that there are differences in transmission rates in communities around the province. 

"It is a very effective measure of stopping transmission in introductions into communities. We're not yet at that point where enough people are immunized, where case levels are low enough, so that was the rationale around that," she explained.

"We know that indoor dining can happen when we're at certain levels. We know that people who work in the Restaurant and Food Association food businesses have been able to be immunized and I know a lot of people have been immunized so we have that extra layer of protection now with case rates coming down."

If cases continue to trend down, Henry encouraged British Columbians to book a week-long holiday after the provincial restrictions are lifted on June 15. 

Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth told reporters in a press briefing on April 23 that a $575 fine will  be issued to people who contravene the order restricting non-essential travel in the province  under the Emergency Program Act (EPA). The order has been extended and people from outside the province who are travelling in B.C. for non-essential reasons can be subject to the same enforcement measures.

Under the EPA, an order restricting non-essential travel between certain regions of the province remains in place until June 15 at midnight.

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Here are all the exemptions to B.C.'s new non-essential travel ban

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New restrictions on travel across health authorities in British Columbia are in effect in the province as of today (April 23) and will last through May 25.

The ban on non-essential travel, as announced Friday by Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth, generally splits the province into three regions consisting of some combined health authorities. Under the new public health orders, Northern and Interior Health are unified as one region, as are Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health; Island Health stands alone, with some intra-region exceptions.

The restrictions, aimed at curbing further spread of COVID-19 within the province, are focused on recreational travel, according to Farnworth, and violating the ban will carry consequences. 

Messaging for the past year in B.C. has been for people to "stay local," and that message remains the same, despite the wide geography the combined regions offer residents as far as sanctioned movement goes within their home or neighbouring health authority. However, leaving your own area remains discouraged, said Farnworth, offering examples like hiking, where a North Shore resident is asked to go for hikes at Grouse, and a Tri-Cities resident is asked to stick to Burke Mountain. 

However, there are some "reasonable exemptions," said Farnworth for what would take someone out of their home health authority region.

Here are all the exemptions to the non-essential travel restrictions in B.C. in place April 23 through May 25, 2021:

* moving to a different principal residence or assisting a person to move for that purpose;

* carrying out a work-related purpose, including volunteer work;

* commercially transporting goods;

* receiving health-care services or social services or assisting someone to receive those services;

* attending court;

* complying with a court order;

* exercising parental responsibilities, including spending parenting time with a minor child;

* accessing child care;

* attending classes or receiving training through a post-secondary institution or school;

* responding to emergencies or critical incidents, including incidents that involve search and rescue operations;

* providing care or assistance to a person who requires care or assistance because of a psychological, behavioural or health condition, or a physical, cognitive or mental impairment;

* visiting by an essential visitor or a social visitor as provided in the guidance of the Ministry of Health set out in a document titled Ministry of Health - Overview of Visitors in Long-Term Care and Seniors' Assisted Living that went into effect on April 1, 2021;

* attending a funeral service;

* travelling under the authority of a variance of an order issued by the provincial health officer under the Public Health Act if the variance was made before this order comes into force;

* travelling for the purpose of avoiding the risk of abuse or violence;

* travelling by residents of the local health area of Bella Coola Valley or Central Coast to Port Hardy to obtain essential goods and supplies;

* travelling by residents of the local health area of Hope to Chilliwack to obtain essential goods and supplies;

* travelling by residents of the Northern Health Authority region into the Nis×a'a Health Authority region;

* travelling by residents of the Nis×a'a Health Authority region into the Northern-Interior Health Authority region;

* returning to a person's own principal residence.

Note: the list of exemptions was updated by the B.C. government on April 30, 2021 to include people who are avoiding abuse, as well as people who are visiting long-term care facilities.

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Everything to know about B.C.'s new guidance on travel in the province

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Ready to explore B.C. this summer?

Provincial officials announced the beginning of Step 2 in B.C.'s Restart Plan Monday (June 14), which will allow British Columbians to enjoy travel across the province for the first time in several months. 

"Thanks to our collective efforts and commitment to get vaccinated, we are ready to take another step forward in our careful restart," said Premier John Horgan. "This next step means seeing more of the people we love, visiting more of our favourite places and safely celebrating the major milestones we've missed. Better days are in sight, but we must continue to do our part, get vaccinated, keep our layers of protection strong and work together to put this pandemic behind us." 

Recreational travel is now permitted across the province and the order restricting travel has been lifted.  However, Horgan noted that "we are advising against travel outside of the province."

In Step 2 of B.C.'s Restart Plan, the following restrictions have been lifted and you may enjoy the following: 

• Provincial travel restrictions lifted
• Recreational travel within B.C. allowed
• BC Transit and BC Ferries offers increased service as needed

Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, said, "Our step-by-step reopening plan is giving British Columbians what they have been waiting for. The best way we can show our love for B.C. is to get out and eat, stay, shop and play. Whether it's watching your kids play sports outside, going to the theatre or travelling to new and exciting destinations across the province, we can finally get out and support people, jobs and our economy."

B.C. prepares to safely move to Step 2 of its restart plan

Public health safety protocols, such as mask-wearing in all indoor public spaces and physical distancing, will remain in place during Step 2.

British Columbians travelling within B.C. are asked to plan ahead and be respectful while visiting communities, especially smaller and rural towns, as well as Indigenous communities - including respecting local travel advisories. Travel manners and guidelines to follow during summer trips and vacations include:

* getting vaccinated;

* pre-trip planning and research before arriving at destination;

* respecting any local travel advisories to isolated and remote communities and Indigenous communities;

* following masks guideline;

* respecting personal space and practising good hygiene, including frequent handwashing; and

* no travelling for anyone who is sick. If symptoms develop while travelling, self-isolate immediately and contact 811 for guidance and testing.

The transition into Step 2 of the four-step restart plan aligns with key metrics for moving forward. More than 75 per cent of adults are vaccinated with their first dose, exceeding the target Step 2 minimum threshold of 65 per cent. The other metrics for moving through the stages - COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations - continue to steadily decline. 

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B.C. premier calls for restriction on non-essential travel between provinces

Travel restrictions in southwest b.c. will last at least 2 more weeks, horgan says.

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B.C. Premier John Horgan said he is calling on the federal government to implement a "pan-Canadian approach" to non-essential travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although there is currently no official restriction on travel between B.C. and the rest of the country, Horgan said people should not be travelling in and out of the province unless on essential business and this will be the province's guidance for the next two weeks "at least."

"I'm asking the federal government to work with us and other provinces to get the message out that if you do not need to travel between jurisdictions, you shouldn't do that," he said.

"I'm encouraging the prime minister to take this opportunity with all of us."

More details on the province's plans to manage the second wave are expected to come Thursday. 

WATCH | B.C. Premier calls for travel restrictions between provinces:

B.C. premier calls for interprovincial travel restrictions

Horgan said the travel restrictions brought in a week-and-a-half ago in B.C., which advise against non-essential travel in and out of the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions, will also be extended for "the next two weeks at least."

Horgan said B.C. has a significant two weeks ahead as the province looks at a second component of those regional orders. 

"This is not the time to go storm watching on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. This is not the time to plan for a large gathering of friends over the Christmas holiday. We need to focus on getting through the winter, getting through the second wave, which has proven to be significantly challenging," he said. 

Horgan said the province is looking into whether a mandatory 14-day quarantine rule would be brought in for travellers arriving on Vancouver Island.

• Premier John Horgan says a Vancouver Island travel ban is a possibility

But he said B.C. would not be implementing rules that would attempt to create a provincial "bubble."

"We want to make sure we have an approach to travel not inconsistent with citizenship," he said.

A spokesperson for Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc told CBC News in an email the federal government encourages Canadians to adhere to health advice, including advice against non-essential travel, to help control the spread of the coronavirus.

"The safety and security of Canadians continues to be our top priority," the spokesperson said. "We continue to work closely with all premiers in coordinating our response to the public health crisis."

Horgan said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will have more updates on the current orders in her Thursday news conference.

"We want to amend our operating plans based on new evidence," he said.

Horgan also said the B.C. Legislature will return Dec. 7 with the province's new NDP majority government laying out its plans in a throne speech.

Cabinet will be sworn in on Nov. 26 and members of the legislature will take part in a virtual swearing-in next Tuesday.

With files from David Thurton

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Everything to know about B.C.'s new guidance on travel in the province

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Ready to explore B.C. this summer?

Provincial officials announced the beginning of Step 2 in B.C.'s Restart Plan Monday (June 14), which will allow British Columbians to enjoy travel across the province for the first time in several months. 

"Thanks to our collective efforts and commitment to get vaccinated, we are ready to take another step forward in our careful restart," said Premier John Horgan. "This next step means seeing more of the people we love, visiting more of our favourite places and safely celebrating the major milestones we've missed. Better days are in sight, but we must continue to do our part, get vaccinated, keep our layers of protection strong and work together to put this pandemic behind us." 

Recreational travel is now permitted across the province and the order restricting travel has been lifted.  However, Horgan noted that "we are advising against travel outside of the province."

In Step 2 of B.C.'s Restart Plan, the following restrictions have been lifted and you may enjoy the following: 

• Provincial travel restrictions lifted
• Recreational travel within B.C. allowed
• BC Transit and BC Ferries offers increased service as needed

Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, said, "Our step-by-step reopening plan is giving British Columbians what they have been waiting for. The best way we can show our love for B.C. is to get out and eat, stay, shop and play. Whether it's watching your kids play sports outside, going to the theatre or travelling to new and exciting destinations across the province, we can finally get out and support people, jobs and our economy."

B.C. prepares to safely move to Step 2 of its restart plan

Public health safety protocols, such as mask-wearing in all indoor public spaces and physical distancing, will remain in place during Step 2.

British Columbians travelling within B.C. are asked to plan ahead and be respectful while visiting communities, especially smaller and rural towns, as well as Indigenous communities - including respecting local travel advisories. Travel manners and guidelines to follow during summer trips and vacations include:

* getting vaccinated;

* pre-trip planning and research before arriving at destination;

* respecting any local travel advisories to isolated and remote communities and Indigenous communities;

* following masks guideline;

* respecting personal space and practising good hygiene, including frequent handwashing; and

* no travelling for anyone who is sick. If symptoms develop while travelling, self-isolate immediately and contact 811 for guidance and testing.

The transition into Step 2 of the four-step restart plan aligns with key metrics for moving forward. More than 75 per cent of adults are vaccinated with their first dose, exceeding the target Step 2 minimum threshold of 65 per cent. The other metrics for moving through the stages - COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations - continue to steadily decline. 

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Premier David Eby and Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, have released the following statement about the current wildfire situation:

“This year, we are facing the worst wildfire season ever in British Columbia. Over the past 24 hours, the situation has evolved rapidly and we are in for an extremely challenging situation in the days ahead. There are numerous fires across the province threatening communities. Thousands of people are under evacuation orders, and tens of thousands more are on evacuation alert.

“Given these fast-moving conditions, the Province of British Columbia is declaring a provincial state of emergency, under the authority of the Emergency Program Act, to ensure we are in a position to rapidly access any tools we need to support communities as the situation evolves.

“At this time, we’re grateful that people are mostly following our call to not travel to certain areas and to stay out of the way of emergency crews so they can do their jobs. We are also seeing more and more people evacuated – and access to accommodation is becoming increasingly tight in the Interior. We need to ensure that accommodation is available for people who are evacuated.

“A provincial state of emergency allows the Province to enact emergency orders. Emergency orders could include travel restrictions to specific areas if people do not respect our calls to avoid non-essential travel to the central Interior and southeastern B.C. 

“We’re calling on all British Columbians to be alert, listen to local officials and follow evacuation orders. We will get through this together.”

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EmergencyInfoBC

This event has ended. Information on this page will not be updated.

Provincial State of Emergency Expired: Sept. 14, 2023.

The Provincial State of Emergency issued by the Province of BC on August 18, 2023, expired at the end of day Thursday, September 14, 2023 (Pacific time).

Links & Resources

For current wildfire evacuation information, visit EmergencyInfoBC.ca . For wildfire locations and response information, visit BCWildfire.ca .

• Guidance for wildfire evacuees
• Travel and highway wildfire impacts from DriveBC
• Information on how to prepare for wildfires from PreparedBC