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“Let’s wait the next five weeks so we can have the summer we all desperately want,” Horgan said during a press conference on Monday

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April 20, 2021 • • 24 minutes ago • • 3 minutes read • • Join the conversation Fernie, BC Fernie, BC Photo by @PowderMatt

With signs on the Alberta-British Columbia border expected to discourage non-essential travel between provinces, border towns and local tourism groups are encouraging people to pause on travel plans between provinces until the spread of COVID-19 slows .

The signs on the border are part of BC Premier John Horgan Strategy to discourage recreational travel between provinces and within BC, while active cases remain high and variant cases continue to spread. Although more details of the new measures are expected on Friday, the province plans regular roadblocks and police checks to restrict non-essential travel.

“To be able to say that we have to hold back traveling now because we have to follow Friday’s instructions is difficult. But if we have to do that to save the summer, we have to do it, ”said Jikke Gyorki, CEO of Tourism Fernie, on Tuesday.

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She said it will be difficult for the hospitality and tourism industries to endure more travel restrictions because they have been so badly affected by previous measures, but she is optimistic that the introduction of the vaccine will allow trips to be relaunched in June.

“We love our prairie neighbors – Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba – they are a huge part of our economy. It’s sad to say you can’t go here right now, ”she said.

Horgan said the British Columbia government worked with the tourism industry and BC Ferries to cancel current and future bookings from people living outside the area. The restrictions are expected to apply until at least the long weekend in May.

“Let’s wait the next five weeks so we can have the summer we all desperately want,” Horgan said during a press conference on Monday.

File Photo: BC Premier John Horgan. File Photo: BC Premier John Horgan. Photo by Jason Payne

There are no plans to implement similar measures in Alberta, Premier Jason Kenney said during the press conference on Tuesday.

Kenney said he spoke with Horgan last week about BC’s ongoing concerns about interprovincial travel. He said he respected BC’s decision.

“This is not the time for minor travel. We have seen some of the very contagious cases of Brazilian P.1 variants of travel come to Alberta from British Columbia, ”said Kenney.

It is not an absolute closure of the border, said the Prime Minister.

“If we can just bend that curve now and let the vaccines be ahead of the curve, we’ll be sure we can travel normally again in the summer,” added Kenney.

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Alberta reported 1,345 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesdaybringing the number of active cases to 18,481. More than 10,000 of these cases are worrying variants.

Tourism Canmore Kananaski’s interim CEO Rachel Ludwig said the temporary loss of BC travelers would not affect local tourism too much as most tourists in the area are currently from Alberta.

“We’re still open to Albertans to explore our sprawling rooms,” said Ludwig, adding that travelers are expected to follow Alberta’s health measures. “However, it is important to get COVID under control so that travel is possible this summer. Getting vaccinated when you are able is an important step in the right direction. “

Invermere Mayor Al Miller said everyone must do their part to keep people safe over the long term as more vaccines are given in both provinces.

Invermere saw an increase in out-of-town visitors to the area, and many Albertans moved more permanently to their second BC homes, Miller said. However, with cases increasing in the valley, he was concerned about the added strain on the local health system.

“I’d rather cut back on traffic now – no matter where it comes from – and have a great summer ahead of me,” said Miller. “Let’s stay in place for a while.”

sbabych@postmedia.com
Twitter: @BabychStephanie

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