BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson is calling on the province to lift COVID-19 restrictions in regions where cases numbers are little to nonexistent. 

In an effort to reboot tourism in time for the summer, Wilkinson said lockdown restrictions should be eased in areas such as the Okanagan, Kootenays and northern BC. 

"It's clear, based on the evidence, that some regions and industries have been hit harder than others across the province. It seems reasonable to at least consider tailored, regional reopening plans based on the specific case counts of each region," said Wilkinson. 

"I've sent a letter to the Premier today asking government to look at lifting more restrictions in regions with lower case counts such as Vancouver Island, the Okanagan, the Kootenays, and the North to get people back to work and bring in much-needed revenue for business sooner."

According to Dr. Bonnie Henry’s daily updates on COVID-19, there have been just five new cases in the Interior Health region since May 15. 

That number dips to four new cases for the Northern Health region since May 17 and only one confirmed case for the Island Health region since May 3. 

With BC currently in “Phase 2” of its reopening plan, Dr. Henry has said discussions about Phase 3, which would allow residents to travel throughout the province, are still weeks away.

"Tourism, an integral part of our provincial economy which brings in about $20-billion in revenue and employs over 160,000 British Columbians, has especially struggled," he said. 

"We're hopeful that government will seriously consider a regional approach that will help mitigate some of the social and economic impacts this pandemic has created."