The state of emergency is now in effect until Sept. 15, which will allow for Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act to support the province’s pandemic response.
“It’s encouraging to see the vast majority of British Columbians following public health rules to stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep each other safe,” said Premier John Horgan. “However, there remains a small group of people ignoring [provincial health officer] Dr. Bonnie Henry’s orders and threatening our hard work over the past several months to flatten the curve. This pandemic is not over, and whether it’s an end of summer gathering or hockey celebration, this is not the time to bend or break the rules. To those few who are not complying, there will be consequences.”
On July 10, the COVID-19 Related Measures Act came into force. The legislation enables provisions created for citizens and businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to continue as needed should the provincial state of emergency end.
The extension of the provincial state of emergency is based on recommendations from B.C.’s health and emergency management officials. Farnworth made the original declaration on March 18, the day after Henry declared a public health emergency.
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