Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen board chair Karla Kozakevich is seen in a screenshot from a YouTube video, May 1, 2020. Kozakevich is urging non-residents not to visit the South Okanagan and Similkameen during the upcoming Victoria Day long weekend.
Image Credit: YOUTUBE / RDOS
May 01, 2020 - 3:29 PM
The chair of the regional district in the South Okanagan is appealing to tourists not visit during the upcoming Victoria Day long weekend.
In a media release, and in a video posted to YouTube, Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen board chair Karla Kozakevich said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people from outside the region should not visit on the May long weekend.
“Normally at this time of year we welcome thousands of visitors from across B.C., Alberta and other regions who would be in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys for tourism and recreation,” Kozakevich said in the release. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re asking visitors to follow provincial health directives and temporarily avoid non-essential travel."
Many of the region’s smaller communities have been inundated with visitors, she said, putting health care professionals, first responders and all citizens at risk, Kozackevich said.
She said with the added influx of visitors any medical issues due to COVID-19 will also put the region’s small rural hospitals and health care facilities over capacity, and unable to serve residents or visitors.
Kozackevich added the district looked forward to seeing everyone again soon, under more favourable circumstances.
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