Visiting Sooke – a safe travel advisory
On June 24, 2020, Premier John Horgan announced that BC is ready to implement Phase 3 of the Provincial Restart Plan and the District of Sooke will continue to follow the Province’s decisions in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Phase 3, people can now ‘take part in smart, safe and respectful travel within British Columbia’. The province has asked people eager to travel to smaller communities to plan-ahead by contacting the local tourism office or municipal contact.
While we look forward to welcoming Canadian tourists in Sooke, we must all – visitors and residents alike – remain diligent in practicing the safety measures that have served us well thus this far. We ask visitors to Sooke to follow the same guidelines laid out by the provincial government:
- If you are feeling sick, stay home. No exceptions.
- If you are returning from travel outside of Canada, you must self-isolate (stay home) for 14 days.
- If you are travelling to BC from another province or territory within Canada you are expected to follow the same travel guidelines as everyone else in B.C. and travel safely and respectfully.
- Consider the health and safety of people in your bubble, and whether you want to take any extra risks.
- Physical distancing: stay at least 2m (six feet) away from anyone outside of your bubble.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing (such as coughing into your elbow or using a tissue); avoid touching your face; keep spaces clean.
- Consider wearing a non-medical mask in spaces where physical distance cannot be maintained.
- Arrive prepared to smaller communities if they don’t have the resources to support you. Bring groceries and essential supplies, if possible.
- Support our small businesses, when you can.
- If you think you have symptoms, self-isolate immediately. Call 8-1-1 for an assessment and follow the advice on what to do.
If we all do our part, the District of Sooke feels strongly that we will be able to remain committed to our local business community and the health of our residents.