BC extends provincial state of emergency for another two weeks

Premier John Horgan has announced BC’s state of emergency will be extended for another two weeks.

“We are now in the longest state of emergency in our province’s history, and British Columbians everywhere have shown we have what it takes to persevere through these challenging times,” said Horgan during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. “As we slowly turn the dial on our social and economic activity, we must work together to do so in a way that keeps our communities and loved ones safe in the weeks and months to come.”

The current state of emergency is being extended through the end of the day on June 9, 2020.

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“As businesses work hard to safely reopen their doors and friends and families carefully expand their social bubbles, we are beginning to see what this global challenge will look like in B.C.,” said BC’s Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth. “Our government is committed to supporting people and businesses for the long road ahead, and we will continue to find ways to keep the economy moving and keep people safe.”

During Wednesday’s announcement, Horgan noted that it was “10 weeks ago that we announced the first public state of emergency.”

The province first announced a state of emergency on March 18, and this is the fifth time it has been extended since then.

In declaring the original state of emergency back in March, BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said doing so allows for additional powers, particularly in areas such as critical supply chains, to ensure people have the essential goods, services, and infrastructure.