Visitors are being asked to avoid Nanaimo.
The Regional District of Nanaimo is formally asking potential visitors to steer clear of the region during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gabriola Island, Mudge Island and DeCourcy Island are among the places people are discouraged from visiting.
The move comes after the district’s board voted in favour of the measure during a special meeting on Tuesday.
Ian Thorpe, regional district chair, said in a press release that the move is needed in order to encourage people to remain at home.
“Travel should be discouraged unless it’s necessary,” said Thorpe. “The more we can encourage people to stay home and self-isolate and not go out unless they need to, the better.”
The RDN is just one of a number of communities across Vancouver Island, including Tofino, Ucluelet, Port Renfrew and Quadra Island, that are asking people not to visit.
Tofino and Ucluelet have both said they have limited medical resources and would be hard-pressed to handle a COVID-19 outbreak in their smaller region.
Rebecca Lawrence
