A spokesperson for the BC RCMP Traffic Services says things like road checks and other enforcement campaigns will be suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Cpl. Mike Halskov says that doesn’t mean police will not be looking for things like speeding, impaired driving, as well as dangerous driving.

“All those kinds of things that we would normally enforce and going to be shifting our focus more to those things right now rather than having these road checks and planned enforcement campaigns where we come into contact with a lot of people,” he said.

Halskov says that move is as the RCMP is trying to limit contact with people as much as possible during this time.

“You know, it could be as simple as instead of rolling your window all the way down, you can just roll it down a couple of inches and slide your documents out through the window that way, so that there’s less chance of any chance of transmission of this virus from one person to another.”

As for personal protective equipment for RCMP officers, Halskov says he is confident the equipment will be there for people on the front lines who need it.

“The RCMP at the national level as well as the Government of Canada has been doing a very good job of trying to procure equipment for everybody – frontline health workers, fire departments and police officers across the country,” he said.

“So kudos to those people that are out there trying to get that equipment for us to the front line. We certainly appreciate it.”

In a statement, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Strachan says there will be increased patrols along land and sea borders in the province.

“We are working with our provincial partners to ensure our presence is visible in areas where there might be large recreational gatherings and camping hubs to reinforce the seriousness of the message to please stay close to home,” she said.

“Everyone’s health depends on it.”