VPD say they aren't conducting random checks for travel restrictions compliance

Vancouver Police said today they are not conducting random compliance checks in relation to BC’s new travel restrictions which are set take effect this Friday, April 23.

The department expressed its position via Twitter in response to what it said were large numbers of inquiries from the public.

The VPD also noted that it “has not seen specific details of these pending restrictions” but will “review them once they are made available.”

Many of you have asked about the enforcement of the new travel restrictions. The #VPD is not conducting random checks for compliance with travel restrictions. We have not seen specific details of these pending restrictions – we will review them once they are made available.

— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) April 21, 2021

The aforementioned details are expected to be made public this Friday. This follows an announcement from Premier John Horgan on Monday that the BC government will be bringing in a new order to restrict non-essential travel within the province, beginning this Friday, April 23.

The sweeping new order will include cancelling ferries, travel bookings, camping reservations, and new border signage to discourage travel between provinces, said Horgan.

On Tuesday, BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said the government is “not interested in disrupting commuters and people going about their lives.”

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Farnworth said officials are looking at using periodic roadblocks similar to the counterattack campaigns used during holidays to prevent drinking and driving. Officials will also reportedly be set up at areas like BC Ferries or on Highway 1 when leaving the Lower Mainland as a means of discouraging recreational travel.

He stressed, however, that there will be no random, individual stops.

“We’ll also be focused on making sure these new orders do not unfairly impact racialized communities, and we’ll be taking steps to make sure we get this right,” he added.