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UBC public health director apologizes for travelling during pandemic

"I recognize now that I should not have travelled, and that many of you have made sacrifices over these past several weeks that I too should have made."
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University of British Columbia School of Population and Public Health director Dr. Peter Berman is apologizing for a recent trip during the pandemic. Photo via Shutterstock

A new name has been added to the list of high-profile B.C. figures apologizing for recent travel.

Dr. Peter Berman, the director of UBC's School of Population and Public Health (SPPH), issued an apology after it came to light he travelled over the holidays.

"In light of recent events and news stories this past week, I feel that I need to share with you that I travelled over the holiday break," he states in the undated letter posted to the school's website. "I recognize now that I should not have travelled, and that many of you have made sacrifices over these past several weeks that I too should have made."

Berman's apology follows a series of similar apologies from elected officials who also travelled over the holiday break while at the same time health officials urge the public to stay home.

"I would like to reaffirm my sincere support for the efforts of our public health authorities and many of you, my public health colleagues, to address this COVID-19 crisis," Berman writes.

Before becoming the province's Public Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry was a member of the faculty at the SPPH. The school itself hosted a symposium this past fall on the coronavirus (COVID-19) and research at UBC have been studying the virus, subsequent pandemic and the impact of both from a variety of perspectives.

Berman notes in the letter to the SPPH community that in his travel he has been and will continue to be "complying with all requirements for pandemic control."