COVID-19 B.C. Bulletin - March 26, 2020

This morning, Premier John Horgan and Mike Farnworth, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, announced the provincial government would use extraordinary powers available pursuant to the Emergency Program Act to ensure a coordinated response to COVID-19 across all levels of government. Ministerial orders issued pursuant to the Emergency Program Act will remain in place for the duration of the provincial state of emergency declared by Minister Farnworth on March 18, 2020. The measures described today include the introduction of a list of essential services that should and are encouraged to remain open; and the suspension of municipal states of emergency except with respect to the City of Vancouver. This memorandum addresses this major development in the COVID-19 crisis which will be of significance to employers operating in B.C.