Focus on what you can control, is message to community from local leaders

Local police will continue to patrol and enforce public health orders

SQUAMISH, BC – Amid new provincial travel restrictions that aim to restrict recreational travel to within a person’s own community, Squamish and its neighbours are concerned that it won’t be enough to curb recreationalists from the Lower Mainland heading to recreate in the Sea to Sky. In light of this, local leaders are reaching out to local residents with a message to stay laser focused on what we can control.

“This pandemic continues to test our grit, and our Sea to Sky community needs to dig deep at this time and focus on staying healthy and clearing this latest hurdle,” says District of Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott. “We may not be able to control the roads coming into our community, but we can control how each of us manages our own six feet and our own business safety plans to keep ourselves and our staff safe.”

Tourism Squamish, the Squamish Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association join together in this message to bolster the resilience of Squamish. 

“Businesses have worked so incredibly hard over the last 14 months to put robust safety plans in place which have kept their staff and customers safe,” says Louise Walker, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce. “Everyone has been doing such a great job. We are optimistic as we look towards summer with hopes to welcome visitors back once again.”

“Sea to Sky elected officials have been communicating and advocating with the province all week to seek clear language regarding discouraging recreational travel to the Sea to Sky region, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in the corridor and local leaders to monitor the situation over the coming days and weeks to continue to represent the community’s interests,” Elliott continues. “In the meantime I urge each of our residents to continue your hard work. Recommit; mind your own six feet; stick to your household group indoors, and stay distanced outdoors.” 

If British Columbians do travel to Squamish for recreation, they can expect a police presence.

“The Sea to Sky RCMP will continue to conduct proactive patrols in popular areas to uphold public health orders to support the community and keep everyone safe,” says Sea to Sky Inspector Robert Dykstra.

District of Squamish bylaw enforcement patrols also continue to focus on parking and camping hotspots and will be monitoring phone lines for reports of problems. Bylaw issues can be reported to 604-815-5067 (leave a message). 

Vaccination clinics are taking place this weekend at Brennan Park Recreation Centre. Aged 40+ residents of Squamish, Britannia Beach and Pinecrest Estates can register online to obtain an appointment for this weekend. Visit: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine.

For the latest provincial restrictions visit: http://gov.bc.ca/covid-19.

April 23, 2021