The Hongcouver | Coronavirus: Go home Vancouver. Stay home. Covid-19 social distancing is not a party on the beach
- The Hongcouver Blog: Photos of British Columbians gathering in big numbers at Kitsilano Beach and Whistler show they have much to learn about social distancing
- Hong Kong shows how social distancing works to flatten the coronavirus curve, but it needs consistent behaviour, and understanding of the life-and-death stakes
They were told to stay home, to practise social distancing.
Instead, they started to gather. On Vancouver’s Kitsilano Beach. On a frozen lake in Whistler, by the hundreds. In my local playground.
The messages in Canada this week about the need to stay at home and socially distance ourselves to curtail the spread of Covid-19, from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau down through every level of government, has been loud, clear and ignored by a portion of the population in British Columbia.
Judging from the empty streets, businesses and workplaces in Vancouver, most people are following the advice. But not everyone.
On Monday morning, Trudeau announced extraordinary measures against the coronavirus, including a border ban on non-Canadians and non-residents (Americans were initially exempted, but this has been reversed). He also gave clear advice: stay home.
“All Canadians, as much as possible, should stay home. By staying home, you can not only protect your health and that of those around you, but ensure that our health care professionals and our health care systems can focus on those who need their help,” he said.
