The replanting of 314 million trees in B.C.’s interior will go ahead as planned this summer, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Forest Minister Doug Donaldson says about 5,000 workers will be doing the planting in different areas of the province. About half

“This year, the province had planned its single-largest planting program, of more than 310 million trees. With much of it focused on areas impacted by the 2017 and 2018 wildfires. Following extensive discussions with the Ministry of Health, we believe this important work can proceed with the proper precautions in place,” he told media on a conference call today.

John Betts, the executive director of the Western Forestry Contractors Association, says workers will be screened before arriving, and says crews won’t be close enough at cut blocks to transmit germs.

“So what we have now is, crews have got in the habit of, when they get up in the morning they wash their hands in front of each other. So they can critique how well they’re doing. Then they disinfect the truck, if it’s not already disinfected, and they ride to work. And that seems to be working very well so far.”

Chief forester Diane Nicholls says on- and off-shift, strict social distancing guidelines will be followed.

“To ensure that, and give some communities piece of mind, we will be hiring third-party security firms to have individuals patroling the hotels and motels. Just to make sure things like social distancing are being adhered to. To make sure the one person who’s been assigned to get food for the crew is that one person who’s going, and there’s not suddenly three people going into the community.”

As for whether or not all the work gets done, officials could not say yes or no, saying apart from social distancing there are natural factors that can prevent tree planting, such as a risk of flooding or fire in certain areas.