By Veronica Beltran

next steps

Government announces next steps in COVID-19 response

Mar 26, 2020 | 10:17 AM

VICTORIA—The next steps surrounding British Columia’s response to COVID-19 were announced today.

Premier John Horgan and Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General made the announcement.

“We need to follow the orders of Bonnie Henry, theyre not suggestions, they’re the law.”—John Horgan, Premier

Effective immediately a provincial supply unit has been appointed to coordinate the distribution of goods and services. Any bylaws that restrict delivery of goods at any time of day will be repealed. Retailers and suppliers will have to report on inventory of critical supplies.

The secondary resale of certain goods will be prohibited, that includes food medical supplies, personal protective equipment, cleaning and other essential supplies as well as restricting quantities of items purchased at point of sale.

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“How we act today will determine our future”—Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General

The provincial government also announced the suspension of local states of emergency related to COVID-19.Except for the City of Vancouver; giving municipal councils the ability to hold more flexible meetings to expedite decisions; and co-ordinating potential use of local publicly owned facilities, like community centres, for self-isolation, testing, medical care, warehousing and distribution.

The enabling of municipal bylaw officers to support enforcement of the provincial health officer’s orders for business closures and gatherings, in line with offences under the Public Health Act, will also go into effect.

The first case of COVID-19 in the province was announced eight weeks ago, BC has been in a state of emergency for a week.