B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer is asking all British Columbians to refrain from any non-essential travel to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says it comes as local leaders in some tourist towns like Tofino, Gibsons, and Bella Coola are urging outsiders to stay away.

“Forego those types of travel, particularly to smaller communities where we might not have the resources to support you should you become ill or should there be transmission in those communities,” she said. “And that’s a really important thing that we need to do now to protect those who are more vulnerable in those communities, particularly our seniors and our elders.”

Henry says it is still okay to travel for essential needs like getting groceries or communing to and from work in your community.

Her comments were echoed by BC’s Health Minister, Adrian Dix, in a press conference on Thursday.

“This is time to stay home to the maximum extent possible to only go out for essentials,” he said. “Because COVID-19 is spread by droplets, the greatest potential source of infection is loved ones. So by following the rules of self-isolation, you are protecting those that you love.”

“There is no better reason to follow the rules that Dr. Henry has given you.”

Central Coast Regional District Area A Director Daniel Bertrand previously told NL News that a request to cut off to non-essential travel was quashed when the province lifted local states of emergencies.

He says many year-round residents in his community are seniors, and people living in overcrowded homes who could be vulnerable to an outbreak.