Travel for work not considered 'essential' for many in B.C., ministry says of highway order
Several major routes in British Columbia are under provincial travel restrictions for the time being in an effort to minimize the impact on the supply chain.
While some roadways are still closed 10 days after the major storm that caused flooding and mudslides across southern B.,C., sections of Highways 1, 3, 7 and 99 are open.
However, several spots are meant to be used only for essential travel, and those caught breaking the rules at checkpoints may be fined as much as $230.
The restrictions are temporary, provincial officials have said, asking drivers to be patient and look for alternate routes or take transit and taxis.
The province has issued a list of what it considers essential travel, but noticeably absent to those living in affected areas is whether going to work is allowed.
The short answer is probably not. Even if there is no other available route.
CTV News reached out to Emergency Management B.C. for clarity specifically on going to work, and was told by a spokesperson that only essential travel as outlined in the travel order is permitted.
Unless a driver's job is among those listed in Appendix 1 of that order, they're not allowed to use the highways with restricted access.
The appendix is as follows:
- commercial transporting for goods and supplies;
- transporting essential goods and supplies;
- transporting livestock, agricultural or seafood products or related supplies;
- travelling by agricultural producers, veterinarians and support personnel to provide
- care for animals;
- responding to emergencies or to critical incidents, including incidents that involve search and rescue operations;
- evacuating for medical reasons or transporting for urgent medical treatment'
- highway and infrastructure repairing, maintenance and operation and related activities;
- transporting essential personnel, including health-care workers and emergency responders;
- returning to a person's own principal residence;
- exercising an Aboriginal or treaty right as recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982;
- media members travelling through a highway segment for purposes of reporting on the flooding and landslides.
The list has since been amended to include transportation by school bus, charter bus or public transit, but this applies only to the Highway 7 corridor between Hope and Mission.
The rules are also different on Highway 1. The stretch between Highway 11 and Yale Road can only be used for agricultural purposes, responding to emergencies, exercising an Aboriginal treaty right and highway maintenance and repair.
On Highway 99, the list above applies only if a vehicle is less than 14,500 kilograms, or has been authorized by the Ministry of Transportation.
In short, if a driver's job doesn't involve the essential purposes listed above, they are not permitted on the highways restricted under provincial travel rules.
A spokesperson for Emergency Management B.C. said the measures will be eased when the situation improves.
"We're asking employers to be flexible right now as the priority is to keep commercial traffic moving, stabilize our supply chains, and make sure everyone gets home safely," the ministry said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.