As British Columbia navigates two and a half weeks of travel restrictions, the CEO of Tourism Kamloops wants people to be mindful of their actions.

Beverley DeSantis says tourism is not responsible for the rise in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, but rather its people’s behaviour that has led to the increase.

“Nobody wants to go back to where we were in March and yet, here we are,” she told NL News.

“When you don’t wear a mask, when you don’t social distance, when you continue to gather in large crowds, you are not only putting yourself in danger, you are putting others in danger and you are really the cause of businesses that are closing, and the cause of people losing their jobs, and that they are not being with their loved ones when they need to be.”

The restrictions brought in by Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry yesterday, are in place until Dec. 7, though DeSantis says there is the possibility that it could be extended further if people don’t change their behaviour.

“We’re very concerned because the messaging coming down from the provincial government does speak right into Christmas and through the Christmas holidays,” she added. “Although they’ve mentioned December 7, they have already kind of already dropped hints that this could continue into Christmas and beyond.”

DeSantis previously said it was a ‘discouraging’ summer for tourism in the Tournament Capital but it was not unexpected because of COVID-19. But she notes with wide open spaces for people to explore, Kamloops is ideally situated to weather the effects of the pandemic.

“[What I’m asking people to] really think about your business or healthcare system in our community,” DeSantis added. “This will come to an end, hopefully sooner than later.”