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B.C. formally extends provincial state of emergency again

B.C. is already in the longest state of emergency in provincial history.
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Photo: John Horgan / Facebook

The B.C. government has formally extended the provincial state of emergency, allowing Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act to support the Province's COVID-19 pandemic response.

The state of emergency is extended through the end of the day on Oct. 27, 2020, to allow staff to continue to take the necessary actions to keep British Columbians safe and manage immediate concerns and COVID-19 outbreaks.

A provincial declaration of a state of emergency allows the Province to implement provincial emergency measures and allows access to assets that may be necessary to prevent, respond to or alleviate the effects of an emergency. This is a temporary measure authorized by the Emergency Program Act.

The extension of the provincial state of emergency is based on recommendations from B.C.‘s health and emergency management officials. The original declaration was made on March 18, 2020, the day after Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, declared a public health emergency.

On July 10, the COVID-19 Related Measures Act came into force, enabling provisions created for citizens and businesses, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to continue as needed should the provincial state of emergency end.

Today, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 158 new cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the provincial total to 10,892.

“One of the best things that we can do to protect ourselves and those around us is to pay close attention to how we are feeling, by doing our own personal health check each day. This is particularly important if we have recently spent time with people outside of our household bubble or 'safe six,'" said Henry.