Thousands of people have signed an online petition calling for the B.C. government to lock down the province's borders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A B.C. man, Christian Stapff, launched the Change.org campaign, entitled "Calling on the BC Government to lock down the borders to help stop COVID-19 spread," this week.
At the time of this writing, nearly 7,200 people have signed the petition.
While restrictions on non-essential travel between Canada and the United States have been extended until at least Feb. 21, 2021, there are currently no restrictions on Canada-wide travel.
That said, the B.C. government advises against travel outside of your region, unless it is for essential purposes. However, the advisory isn't enforceable.
Lock B.C. borders to non-essential air, ground and sea traffic
In the petition, Staphh implores B.C. Premier John Horgan to lock the province's borders to non-essential air, ground and sea traffic.
Additionally, the petition calls for the government to quarantine travellers so COVID-19 can be "contained and stopped."
Staphh adds that locking the borders is especially imperative due to more virulent strains of COVID-19 in the province.
"This approach worked in Western Australia where it was carried out with fidelity and will work here," he writes.
"Quarantining of travellers is essential to remove this possible path of infection."
