The British Columbia Lottery Corporation has extended the window for many to claim prizes for a winning lottery or scratch and win ticket.

Anyone with a winning ticket that expires between March 17, 2020 and Sept. 17, 2020 can use an additional six months to claim their prize.

It applies to all national games like Lotto 6/49, Lotto Max and Daily Grand, along with BC games like Keno, BC/49, BC50/50, Poker Lotto and Pacific Hold’Em Poker.

The lottery corporation says it's offered the extension so people have will stay home and respect social distancing directions instead of rushing to the corner store to cash in a lottery ticket.

If your winning ticket’s expiry date doesn’t fall within the March 17-Sept. 17 bracket, the expiry date remains the same, which is 12 months from the date of the draw.

The BCLC is encouraging all players to put their health and safety first by following the Provincial Health Officer’s directions.

Lottery tickets are only available digitally for now, through PlayNow.com or on the BCLC Lotto! app.