The BC Green Party announced Wednesday it is cancelling all in-person public events to reduce the risk of community transmission of COVID-19. BC Green Party Executive Director Andrew Brown said he has told all staff, volunteers and leadership campaigns to immediately cancel all in-person public events and to convene online when possible. The party is in the process of electing a new leader with the results of the contest being announced at a party convention in Nanaimo on June 27. “Based on current health information from the World Health Organization and Health Canada, all factors indicate that we need to concentrate our efforts on reducing the risk of community transmission of COVID-19. This decision was made in coordination with our MLAs and the Leadership Contest Committee,” Brown said in a statment. “The health and safety of our communities is of the utmost importance. While this is disappointing for everyone involved in organizing upcoming riding association AGMs, leadership campaign events and other gatherings, we are asking everyone to contribute and take necessary actions to reduce the risk of transmission. These instructions will remain in effect until further notice. We are monitoring the situation closely and keep communication open as it evolves.”Also on Wednesday, the The BC Council of Forest Industries is cancelling its 2020 convention in Prince George because of COVID-19. President Susan Yurkovich says the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic made cancelling the convention a “prudent” decision to avoid putting the health and safety of delegates, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and staff at “unnecessary risk.” The organization says the convention, scheduled from April 1 to 3, is the largest gathering of the forest sector in Western Canada and attracts CEOs and executives from across continental North America and overseas companies. There are 46 cases of COVID-19 in B.C., including one in the Island Health region. With files from The Canadian Press