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As promised, the RCMP in B.C. have announced officers are going to start road checks to make sure people are travelling between merged health regions for essential reasons only.

Police had stated that they would notify the travelling public about such checks in advance but the news release issued today, May 5, does not say what time or what days they will be in operation, just that they start tomorrow.

“The checks are part of the provincial enforcement actions that are meant to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 throughout the province by limiting travel between three regions: Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, and Norther/Interior,” the B.C. RCMP release states.

The province has announced the rules banning non-essential travel between these regions will be in place until 12:01 a.m. May 25.

READ MORE: B.C. restricts travel to and from Interior and Lower Mainland to stop COVID-19 spread

The road checks will be set up on the Coquihalla Highway at the old toll booth, in the Manning Park area of Highway 3, in the Boston Bar area on Highway 1 and near Lillooet on Highway 99.

“People traveling for essential reasons through those areas can expect traffic delays,” the release states. “Signage will be in place informing travellers of upcoming road check locations and providing safe U-turn routes should motorists determine that their travel is not essential and wish to avoid the road check.”

Commercial vehicles will not be subjected to the checks.

“At the road check locations police officers will be asking for identification from drivers, documentation regarding the driver’s name and address, and the purpose for the driver’s travel,” the release states. “If an officer determines that a person is travelling for non-essential reasons they will be directed to leave the region. Those refusing to do so may face fines under the Emergency Program Act.”

Fines can be up to $575.

Only drivers will be questioned about their reasons for travelling.

READ MORE: UPDATE: All you need is driver with good excuse to travel between B.C. Interior and Lower Mainland

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