Health ministers in Alberta and British Columbia are urging residents of both provinces to stay home over the coming long weekend.
Alberta's Tyler Shandro and B.C.'s Adrian Dix say in a joint statement that there are deep ties between the two provinces, but no one should consider a cross-boundary visit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ministers say the long weekend is different than those in the past.
They say spending a holiday away from those we care about will be difficult.
And they urge people to try other methods of visiting, such as video chats and phone calls.
They also thank faith leaders who have found innovative ways to virtually celebrate important holidays, including Passover, Easter and Ramadan, with their congregants.
Dix and Shandro say they want to be clear that "staying home means no travelling — especially across our borders.
"Please continue to make every effort to protect loved ones, our elders and our health-care workers," the ministers said Thursday.
"Now, more than ever, we need you to keep it up."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 9, 2020
The Canadian Press