Premier John Horgan speaks to reporters about the next phase in the province's restart plan, Monday, June 14, 2021.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Province of B.C.

If you don’t have business in B.C., stay where you are.

That’s the message Premier John Horgan has for Canadians who live outside the province and have been eyeing up a vacation in B.C.

“Our advice to other Canadians is we're going to welcome you down the road but not today,” Horgan said today, June 14.

“If you don't have business in British Columbia, it is our preference that you stay where you are, and we will invite you back at the appropriate time when all British Columbians are prepared to welcome you.”

Horgan said there is still a sense of anxiety across the province and those who have friends and family from other parts of Canada are well aware of how well this province has fared comparatively, and “they don't want to put that at risk anymore than we do.”

READ MORE: More COVID-19 restrictions lifted in B.C. starting tomorrow

When B.C. gets to stage three of its restart, that’s when it will be time for a fuller conversation. That’s slated for July 1.

Horgan will be meeting with other premiers as well as the Prime Minister on Thursday for a talk about international borders, but he said the issues of interprovincial travel will likely be a topic of discussion, as well.

“I’ll be making the same requests that I've been making for months to my colleagues, ‘please appeal to your citizens to stay where they are so we all come out of this stronger than we went into it,’" he said.

While province hopping isn’t on, officials announced that B.C. residents will be able to enjoy travel across the province for the first time in several months. 

"Our step-by-step reopening plan is giving British Columbians what they have been waiting for,” Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, said.

“The best way we can show our love for B.C. is to get out and eat, stay, shop and play. Whether it's watching your kids play sports outside, going to the theatre or travelling to new and exciting destinations across the province, we can finally get out and support people, jobs and our economy."

Those who travel are asked to get vaccinated; pre-trip plan and research before arriving at the destination, respect any local travel advisories to isolated and remote communities and Indigenous communities, follow masks guidelines and respect personal space and practising good hygiene, including frequent hand washing.

Also, health officials ask that there be no travelling for anyone who is sick. If symptoms develop while travelling, self-isolate immediately and contact 811 for guidance and testing.

For latest on B.C.'s travel restrictions go here.

To get a first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine go here.

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