Burnaby Board of Trade Endorses Regional COVID Restrictions as Way Forward In Pandemic

August 9, 2021 — Following last week’s announcement by Interior Health of additional public health measures to combat the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in the area, the Burnaby Board of Trade is endorsing this model of regional restrictions as the right way forward in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, focusing interventions where they are most needed and limiting negative impacts in communities not as severely impacted by rising case counts.  The Burnaby Board of Trade has voiced support for this approach in a letter to Fraser Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Elizabeth Brodkin, as well to the Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix.

Whereas public health measures previously in the pandemic had been largely applied province-wide, new actions announced last week — including a mandatory mask order, closure of high-intensity fitness, restrictions on restaurants, and limits on indoor social gatherings — only apply in the District of Peachland, West Kelowna, Kelowna, the District of Lake Country, and the Regional District of Central Okanagan.

The Burnaby Board of Trade believes such regional restrictions enable mitigation measures in the areas and communities where they are most needed while avoiding unduly negatively impacting communities where they may not be required.

“As BC moves through the next phase of the pandemic, different communities may experience impacts of COVID-19 in different ways and at different rates. Therefore, we think it is reasonable to focus restrictions on where they are most needed, and avoid impacting people, businesses, and the economy in other areas if it’s not necessary,” says Paul Holden, President & CEO of the Burnaby Board of Trade.

The Burnaby Board of Trade believes widespread immunization is critical to our economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and will be crucial to avoiding further public health measures in Burnaby and the Fraser Health region.  The Burnaby Board of Trade has applauded the province’s robust vaccine rollout and encourages eager participation in the vaccination program by all residents.