B.C. records 974 new COVID-19 cases, officials ask residents to follow restrictions

Officials are continuing to urge British Columbia residents to follow COVID-19 health restrictions ahead of Tuesday's restart announcement.

B.C. recorded 974 new cases of COVID-19 over the long weekend, for a total of 142,347 during the pandemic, as well as a drop in hospitalizations.

The majority of the cases occurred in the hard-hit Fraser Health Authority region, which accounted for roughly two-thirds of the new cases.

The province also reported 12 new deaths for a total of 1,679.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry say in a joint statement that they're asking residents to continue to follow COVID-19 health restrictions until Tuesday, when the province is due to unveil its restart plan.

More than 2.88 million COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered in the province, of which 147,144 are second doses.

Mounties, meanwhile, say 103 cars were stopped and turned around at checkpoints that are in place to enforce non-essential travel protocols.

Two drivers also faces fines of $230 for failing to stop for police.