District of Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott as well as other Sea to Sky leaders are seeking ‘urgent support’ from the province on the influx of visitors in town.
The District of Squamish said it shares public anxiety about weekend visitors, and is working with SLRD, Squamish Nation, and Squamish RCMP on how to best tackle the problem.
District of Squamish had earlier issued an appeal to visitors to stay away from town, but it seems to have fallen on dead ears.
Later this week, Squamish as well as other SLRD communities will again urge Lower Mainland residents to stay home and visit later.
The district also said it has limited enforcement tools as Highway 99 and Forest Service Roads remain outside its jurisdiction.
“We are asking residents to keep in mind that at this time the highway is a critical piece of infrastructure that not only supports the supply of goods to our region, but also enables many essential service workers to get to and from their jobs in the Lower Mainland,” says Elliott.
Meanwhile, planning continues locally to enact a plan for Easter Weekend traffic within the existing jurisdiction of the district and RCMP.
“As the weekend approaches, it is important to remember who we are as a community, that we do want visitors to come back in the future, and that our most important tool for our own health and safety is to avoid crowds, and keep up with physical distancing for ourselves and our loved ones,” Elliott said.
On Sunday, Mayor Elliott invited residents via her Facebook page to voice any concerns to the province about visitors to the region.
jean cameron says
We dont want the highway closed Just cars and other forms of transport stopped ID of everyone checked ..if not from this area they should be turned around and fined Of course people delivering goods etc should be excluded They could be stopped at Porteau or the Casino( re parking )
francine lessard says
I myself worry about people venturing in the woods for camping or fishing thinking they are isolating but infact putting at risk our wild life. New York city zoo had big cats testing positive for Covid so who is to say that these people would not leave behind something that could endanger our bears cougars or any other animals.
It’s a scary thought.
How long would take before fish and wildlife figure out that animals are dying.
Put up a sign with a bear saying stay home me and my family don’t want Covid 19.