Provincial Ban on Non-Essential Travel and Accommodation

BRITISH COLUMBIA — The province has banned non-essential stays in the Okanagan region.

On August 19, 2023, the Province of B.C. issued an Emergency Order restricting non-essential use of temporary accommodations, including hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, hostels, RV parks, and campgrounds, in these Okanagan cities: Kelowna & West Kelowna. Kamloops.

Emergency Measures Minister Bowinn Ma says the move is designed to free up space for wildfire evacuees or emergency responders fighting the blazes. She says anyone visiting the region for non-essential reasons is being asked to leave their accommodations early.

At a news conference over the weekend, B.C. Premier David Eby stated that 35,000 people were on evacuation order. Eby said he was issuing an order that restricts travel to B.C.’s southern Interior for the purpose of staying in temporary accommodation such as a hotel, motel or campground.

“We shouldn’t need an order,” Eby said. “Please just stay out of these areas if you don’t have to be there.”