Tofino, Ucluelet asking visitors from the Lower Mainland to stay away for now

After BC’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, recently announced that the province would be taking further actions to limit the spread of COVID-19 – particularly in Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health – two popular destinations on Vancouver Island are asking potential visitors from both those regions to stay away for now.

In separate statements, officials with the Municipality of Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino urged tourists to heed the words of Henry, and avoid visiting their towns for the next little while.

“In light of the Dr. Bonnie Henry’s recent Public Health Orders and recommendations, the District of Ucluelet, Tourism Ucluelet and the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce are kindly asking residents of the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions to avoid all non-essential travel to and from these regions until November 23rd,” reads a statement on Ucluelet’s website.

Anyone scheduled to travel to Ucluelet from these regions between now and Monday, November 23^rd, is being asked to “speak to their accommodation provider to reschedule their trip until it is safe to travel.”

The municipality adds that it’s thankful to visitors “from these regions for their continued support and understanding; we look forward to welcoming you to Ucluelet when the time is right to travel.”

Residents of Ucluelet are also being asked: “to adhere to the PHO’s recommendation against travelling to the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions for non-essential purposes.”

• See also:
  • New COVID-19 orders and restrictions announced in Vancouver Coastal, Fraser Health Regions
  • Passport Canada draws criticism after questionable tweet encourages renewals
  • Moderna says its COVID-19 vaccine is nearly 95% effective

Officials with Tourism Tofino echoed the sentiments of their neighbour in a statement to potential visitors from the Lower Mainland.

“If you are a resident of the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions, please note that non-essential travel out of these regions is not recommended until November 23rd at 12 pm,” the organization said.  “If you are a resident of these regions, with reservations between today and November 23rd, we recommend that you contact your accommodation provider.”

Tourism Tofino added that “current COVID-19 situation remains fluid, with government regulations and health guidelines changing rapidly.”

As such, “we monitor provincial health updates closely to ensure both our visitors and residents remain safe and informed.”