CCRD Statement Regarding Declarations of Central Coast Travel Restrictions
On March 26th, the province suspended all non-First Nation States of Local Emergencies (with the exception of the City of Vancouver) and Local Travel Restriction Orders pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. This action removed the CCRD's authority to regulate travel in the Central Coast in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as local governments have historically during times of threat by wildfire or flood.
The CCRD is obligated by provincial statute to defer to direction from Emergency Management BC and the Provincial Health Authority in all COVID-19 response matters, including restriction of travel for public safety.
Consequently, the CCRD does not have permission or authority to either authorize or restrict travel as part of the local COVID-19 response.
On April 27th 2020 the Nuxalk Hereditary Chiefs, Chief and Council, and the Nuxalk EOC declared a non-essential travel ban in and out of Bella Coola.
On April 20th 2020, the Heiltsuk Nation Hereditary Chiefs, Chief and Council, and the Heiltsuk EOC declared a non-essential travel ban into Heiltsuk Territory.
Please direct questions regarding the Nuxalk Nation travel restriction to:
Nuxalk Nation EOC spokesperson Colleen Gabriel at eocops2.nuxalk@gmail.com; 250-799-5959
Please direct questions regarding the Heiltsuk Nation travel restriction to:
Heiltsuk Nation EOC at 778-213-8049
Other relevant contacts:
Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, MLA PSSG.Minister@gov.bc.ca; Phone: (250) 356-2178
Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness Jennifer Rice, MLA at jennifer.rice.MLA@leg.bc.ca; 1-866-624-7734
Ministry of Health: hlth.health@gov.bc.ca (contact for question or concern about policy, legislation, or decisions of the Ministry of Health); 250-387-3655
Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, MLA HLTH.Minister@gov.bc.ca; phone 250-953-3547
Emergency Management BC North East Region Office at EMBC.NEAAdmin@gov.bc.ca or 250-612-4172