Sophie Gray
Local Journalism Initiative
The Region District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is asking visitors to follow provincial health directives and avoid all non-essential travel until further notice.
The South Okanagan would normally be welcoming thousands of visitors to the towns in the area at this time, but the regional district said in a press release Friday that an influx of visitors could overwhelm the health care systems in the area.
“Normally at this time of year we welcome thousands of visitors from across B.C., Alberta and other regions who would be in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys for tourism and recreation,” said RDOS Chair Karla Kozakevich. “But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re asking visitors to follow provincial health directives and temporarily avoid non-essential travel.”
The RDOS statement said that many of the smaller communities in the Region District are already reporting a number of visitors to recreational sites, putting front-line workers and citizens at risk.
Visitors to the area can increase the exposure of local communities to COVID-19, transporting the virus from urban centres, and overwhelm the small, rural hospitals in the area.
The RDOS is asking that people not visit the area unless necessary until it is safe to travel and enjoy the South Okanagan responsibly again.
