During the pandemic, British Columbia has repeatedly seen spikes in COVID-19 cases after long weekends.

With the May long weekend coming (May 22 to 24), B.C. RCMP are making preparations to deter non-essential travel in the province.

B.C. RCMP announced today (May 19) that it will be increasing COVID-19 road checks this weekend at its four established locations:

• Highway 1 in the Boston Bar area;
• Highway 3 in the Manning Park area;
• Highway 5 in the Old Toll Booth area;
• Highway 99 in the Lillooet area.

RCMP have conducted rotating checks at these locations over the past two weeks.

B.C. Highway Patrol Supt. Holly Turton stated in a news release that while overall traffic volumes have been lower than usual, there was an increase in traffic last weekend.  

From May 6 to 8, officer checked a total of 1,412 vehicles, and there was one voluntary turn around.

From May 14 to 16, a total of 2,069 vehicles were checked, and 30 vehicles voluntarily turned around.

B.C. RCMP are reminding all drivers that they shouldn’t travel between the three established regions—Vancouver/Fraser Valley, Northern/Interior, and Vancouver Island—for non-essential purposes.

More information about provincial enforcement is available at the B.C. government website.