BC RCMP say starting tomorrow, May 6, officers will be setting up road checks to and from the Southern Interior to enforce the provincial ban on non-essential travel.

In a statement, Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet says the road checks will be on Highway 1 in the Boston Bar area, Highway 3 in the Manning Park area, Highway 5 at the old Coquihalla toll booths, and on Highway 99 in the Lillooet area.

Shoihet says the checks are meant to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 throughout the province by limiting travel between three regions: the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, and Northern and Interior Health.

“People traveling for essential reasons through those areas can expect traffic delays. Signage will be in place informing travelers of upcoming road check locations and providing safe U-turn routes should motorists determine that their travel is not essential and wish to avoid the road check,” she said.

“Commercial vehicles will not be subject to road checks.”

It is not clear if the road checks will be set up around the clock, but RCMP said last Friday that people would be told whenever a road check is active.

“It is anticipated that the vast majority of travellers will voluntarily comply, minimizing the need for enforcement,” RCMP Chief Superintendent Dave Attfield said, last week.

If you pull up to a road check, police will be asking the drivers for their name, an address, a driver’s licence, and the reason for their travel. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said last Friday that passengers will not have to provide that information.

“If an officer determines that a person is travelling for non-essential reasons they will be directed to leave the region,” Shoihet said. “Those refusing to do so may face fines under the Emergency Program Act.”

The fine for not following a police order to turn back is $230, while the fine for violating the travel order is $575.

For more information on the travel restrictions or regarding provincial enforcement, go here.