Emergency operators in B.C. are asking the public to stop calling 911 with questions about the province's new restrictions on travel.
Hours after the provincial government announced a host of new restrictions aimed at curbing non-essential travel within the province amid the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, B.C.'s largest emergency communications centre took to Twitter to remind British Columbians that their phone lines are for emergencies only鈥攁nd seeking clarification about the new rules doesn't qualify as one.
"We are receiving calls on 911 from ppl asking q's about travel restrictions," the read. "Remember: 911 is for emergencies ONLY. keep emergency lines free for ppl who need help from police, fire or ambulance."
Instead, E-Comm 9-1-1 directed those with questions to the .
As outlined in Friday morning's announcement from B.C. Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth, between B.C. health authorities will remain in place until May 25. In an effort stop the spread of COVID-19 and variants of concern, for a non-essential reason.
While some Twitter users responded to E-Comm's plea with sympathy for those who remain confused about the restrictions, the majority鈥攊ncluding V.I.A. publisher and editor-in-chief Bob Kronbauer鈥攚ere slightly less forgiving. Scroll down to see how a few British Columbians reacted to emergency operators' seemingly common-sense reminder.
