'Young people are not immune:' Premier Horgan

Premier John Horgan says young people are not immune to COVID-19 and he's appealing to their better judgment to help stop the rise in cases in the province.

Horgan said Thursday that despite an uptick in cases among young people, the province does not plan to pursue punitive measures against crowds who gathered for a drum circle on a Vancouver beach or others who break public health protocols.

Instead, the government plans to continue its strategy of asking British Columbians to act responsibly.

"If you're going to have a party, if you're going to have some fun, keep it to the people you know," Horgan said.

If someone from outside your circle is participating, keep your distance because you don't know how many people that person has been in contact with.

"Young people are not immune, young people are not invincible. All of us are in this together."

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has called a recent hike in cases a wake-up call to remain vigilant against the virus.

Around 1,000 people are self-isolating because of an outbreak in Kelowna that health officials believe began with private parties at hotels around Canada Day.

Horgan said he was disappointed to view footage of gatherings in Kelowna and Vancouver.

"Come on, you're better than that," he said.

He said he expects young people will share their stories of infection on social media and he encouraged anyone who sees their peers acting outside of the guidelines to speak up.

The province announced 34 new cases for a total of 3,362 confirmed infections Wednesday and another update was expected Thursday afternoon.

Despite the jump, Horgan said he does not believe the province began reopening too quickly. British Columbia's numbers remain low relative to neighbouring Washington state, which is recording more than 800 new cases daily and Alberta, which is averaging more than 100, he said.

The premier said he is encouraged that federal authorities are imposing "hefty fines" on American boaters found docking in British Columbia.

Horgan said British Columbians should be prepared for further restrictions in the fall, as the weather turns, and people spend more time indoors.

"Absolutely, people should be thinking about what the future holds for them as individuals and as communities. Our plan is to continue to monitor and ask people to behave appropriately, keep in small groups wherever possible."

Also on Thursday, Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced further details of $2.2 billion earmarked for British Columbia as part of the Safe Restart Agreement.

Under the plan, Ottawa will contribute $540 million in transit funding for British Columbia, which Horgan said the province will match.

"We're going to match that dollar for dollar to make sure that we can keep the system going without putting more burden on local users or local governments," Horgan said.