New rules for B.C. mink farms effective immediately after several more test positive for COVID-causing virus
As many as seven more mink are thought to have contracted the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans, prompting new rules from the B.C. government.
Two of the animals at a B.C. farm, which has been under quarantine for months, have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Another five have initially tested positive, though final results are pending.
The farm, which has not been publicly identified by the province, has been under quarantine since May, when other mink tested positive for the virus.
According to the provincial Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, the two known to have SARS-CoV-2 were among four found at the farm after escaping their cages.
Infections have been confirmed at three B.C. mink farms since December, and all three remain under quarantine. This means no mink can be moved into or from the farms.
Additionally, the province announced further restrictions Monday that will impact all nine mink farms located in B.C.
The provincial health officer has placed a moratorium on any new mink farms in B.C. for the time being, and all existing mink farms – all of which are located in the Fraser Valley – are now under another rule.
The farm operators must report the total number of mink they have, both breeding and non-breeding, then adhere to a cap at their current number.
According to the ministry, the province is currently reviewing its policies regarding fur farms, "while ensuring the recommended mitigation measures are in place and enforced to protect both public and animal health."
Measures are in place in the Fraser Health Authority to protect workers and their families, and to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 through human-animal contact.
B.C.'s mink farms employ about 150 workers, the province said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.