Following last week’s announcement by Interior Health of additional restrictions to combat the COVID-19 outbreak in the area, one of the province’s largest chambers of commerce - the Burnaby Board of Trade - is endorsing this model of regional restrictions as the right way forward in the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing measures on outbreak areas while limiting negative impacts on other communities.
The Burnaby Board of Trade has voiced support for this approach in a letter to Fraser Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Elizabeth Brodkin, as well to the Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix.
Whereas public health measures implemented previously in the pandemic were largely applied province-wide, new actions announced last week -- including a mandatory mask order, closure of high-intensity fitness classes, restrictions on restaurants, and limits on indoor social gatherings -- only apply in the District of Peachland, West Kelowna, Kelowna, the District of Lake Country, and the Regional District of Central Okanagan.
The Burnaby Board of Trade believes a regional approach allows for restrictions to be implemented where they are most needed and will have the greatest effect, while avoiding negatively impacting communities where they may not be required, sparing those businesses further hardship after a year and a half of pandemic challenges.
“As BC moves through future phases of the pandemic, different communities may experience the impacts of COVID-19 in different ways and at different rates. Therefore, we think it is perfectly reasonable to now focus restrictions on where they are needed most, and avoid impacting the people, businesses, and economies of other areas if it’s not necessary,” says Paul Holden, President & CEO of the Burnaby Board of Trade.
The Burnaby Board of Trade believes widespread immunization is critical to our economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and will be crucial to avoiding further public health measures in Burnaby and the Fraser Health region. The Burnaby Board of Trade has applauded the province’s robust vaccine rollout and encourages eager participation in the vaccination program by all residents.
