Mike Hicks wants the province to close down parks that he feels are being crowded with people not heeding the 鈥渟tay-at-home鈥� call from health officials.
鈥淧ort Renfrew, Jordan River, Shirley and Sooke are being overwhelmed with travellers visiting the various beaches out to Port Renfrew,鈥� said the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director.
Hicks has asked Premier John Horgan for temporary closures of French Beach, China Beach and Botanical Beach provincial parks.
鈥淓ach has a gate and although many people will walk to the beach, 90 per cent of the public will avoid the area,鈥� Hicks said.
He said he is sorry to be calling for such action, but the number of people using the parks is affecting rural communities.
The roads are very busy during peak travel times, he said.
鈥淢y Shirley and Port Renfrew fire chiefs have estimated the traffic volume is equivalent to when the Malahat closes,鈥� Hicks said. 鈥淥ur emergency response is not equipped for this volume and our food supplies are limited.鈥�
He said the Port Renfrew grocery store has announced it can serve only Port Renfrew and Pacheedaht residents, and there could be similar measures coming at the East Sooke grocery store.
There were many people travelling through Sooke on the weekend, said Mayor Maja Tait.
鈥淲e鈥檙e kind of a gateway to all these other areas,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e appreciate your interest in this part of the region, however, now is the time for us to stay home. That鈥檚 been the directive.鈥�
At a Monday news conference, Horgan addressed the issue of the large numbers of people not staying home.
鈥淚 represent the west coast of Vancouver Island and I heard from local representatives in my community that French Beach and Jordan River and China Beach were filled with people this weekend,鈥� he said, calling it a strain on local resources.
He said that with all of the anxiety people are feeling these days, a walk along a beach 鈥渃an be very restorative鈥� and that he would have liked some time outdoors himself.
鈥淏ut that鈥檚 not necessarily the best outcome for people if they鈥檙e not staying at an appropriate distance away from each other.鈥�
Horgan said people should try taking a walk in their local communities 鈥渨ithout interacting with other people.鈥�
sa国际传媒 Parks has closed its campsites across the province, though some day-use areas 鈥攊ncluding those at Goldstream and Rathtrevor parks 鈥� remain open.
On Sunday, it closed all trails accessing the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, including Stawamus Chief Peaks Trail, as well as the two main parking lots at the park.
鈥淭his decision has been made to ensure the continued health and safety of sa国际传媒 Parks visitors, employees, park contractors, volunteers and partners, and to support efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19,鈥� sa国际传媒 Parks said in a statement.
Social media posts showed dozens of people on the trail, many not respecting recommendations to stay at least two metres away from others.
Dave Howe, electoral area director for the Southern Gulf Islands, also urged visitors to stay away and those visiting to 鈥渕ake plans to return to their permanent homes 鈥� you don鈥檛 know if you鈥檝e been exposed to COVID-19.鈥�
The southern Gulf Islands 鈥� Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Salt Spring and Saturna 鈥� are home to 16,000 people.
鈥淚 urge you to stay home and by doing so protect yourself, your family and our islands鈥� unique culture and way of life,鈥� Howe said.
He said people should follow government advice to not travel unless absolutely necessary.
Gary Holman, who represents the Salt Spring Island electoral area, said the recent surge of visitors seeking refuge from the pandemic is potentially compromising the health of locals.
鈥淲e need our Gulf Islands鈥� precious medical resources for our most vulnerable, especially for those who are immune-compromised.鈥�
鈥� With a file from the Squamish Chief
