Premier John Horgan addressing the media at a briefing. (Image Credit: BC Government)

By Dave Barry

FOLLOWING HEALTH ORDERS

B.C. Premier calling on residents to quietly celebrate upcoming holidays

Feb 10, 2021 | 3:05 PM

VICTORIA – With two major holidays on the horizon, B.C. Premier John Horgan is calling on British Columbians to exercise their good judgment in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Horgan says British Columbians need to stay local and stay within their household when celebrating the Lunar New Year Friday and B.C.’s Family Day holiday Monday.

“As we ramp up vaccinations, as we see better weather, people will start to relax and let down their guard,” said Horgan. “This is not the time to do that.”

In a weekly briefing with the media, the Premier addressed a number of topics, ranging from the vaccine rollout to the challenges by some religious organizations to provincial health orders.

The Premier says he will lean on the ethnic diversity of the members of the N.D.P. caucus to reach out to all British Columbians to spread the word about vaccine clinics when they are scheduled. He says he will also reach out to Shirley Bond, the interim B.C. Liberal leader, to have some of her ethnically diverse caucus members to reach out to their constituents to encourage and assist them to get the vaccine.

Horgan complimented all British Columbians for the collective effort to flatten the curve over the last year. And he praised the widespread support for compliance with B.C. health orders among leaders of religious communities.

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However, he is disappointed with a ‘small number of faith communities’ who continue to hold illegal gatherings. He says the government will continue to respond with legal means, such as the injunction launched by the provincial health officer earlier this week.

“If there are those that feel that the courts are the best course of action for them, they have every right to do that,” said the Premier. “I disagree. And they’ll have their day in court.”

Horgan says there are no plans to cancel Spring Break dates for schools. And he reiterated the request he made recently to other provinces. “If you don’t need to be coming to British Columbia, don’t come to British Columbia,” said Horgan. “We will welcome you when the pandemic has subsided. But you’re not welcome today.”