With the number of COVID-19 cases on the increase, the B.C. government has once again extended its record provincial state of emergency by another two weeks, to the end of August 4.

“I want to commend everyone in British Columbia for following public health advice to reduce transmission and keep everyone safe from COVID-19,”Premier John Horgan said, in a statement.

“However, we are still in the midst of a pandemic, and we’re not out of the woods yet. As a government, we are working to ensure the supports people need during this unprecedented time continue to be available, which is why we’re extending provincial state of emergency today.”

As it has been in weeks past, the state of emergency allows Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act to support the Province’s COVID-19 pandemic response.

“While some restrictions have been eased, we must stay the course to flatten the COVID-19 curve,” Farnworth said. “This means that even as British Columbians start to carefully adjust to life in Phase 3, we are maintaining the necessary critical supports to respond to and alleviate the effects of this pandemic.”

The state of emergency was first declared on March 18, one day after Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry declared a public health emergency.