Pay parking at all B.C. hospitals and other health authority owned and operated facilities will be suspended on April 1 until further notice. “In an effort to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, we’re suspending pay parking for the patients, staff and visitors at all health authority owned and operated sites effective April 1st until further notice,” Health Minister Adrian Dix announced Monday during a news conference. “This change makes it easier for individuals to avoid touching screens and buttons at payment kiosks that may have been touched by someone previously and also supports physical distancing measures that have been mandated by our provincial health officer.”Dix said many healthcare workers pay for parking off their paycheques, so the deductions will not occur during this time. Island Health also said BC Transit ProPass deductions for staff are being temporarily suspended in communities where BC Transit is offering free transit during the COVID-19 pandemic.As of March 30, 2020, there have been 19 COVID-19 related deaths in the province and 970 cases.