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Vancouver 4/20 celebration moves online as COVID-19 pandemic forces people to physical distance

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – There will be no worries about traffic or destroyed grass at Sunset Beach today.

It’s 4/20, a day typically seen as a celebration of all things cannabis, but because of the pandemic, celebrations are going virtual this year due to the widespread practising of physical distancing.

In the past, the massive celebration has raised a number of concerns and snarled traffic around southwest section of the downtown core.

Instead, people are being invited to celebrate this year with their “favourite cannabis activists” online at 420vancouver.com. The event, which begins at “High Noon,” or 11:50 a.m. PT, will feature those activists as well as various videos from the 26 years 4/20 has been celebrated in the city.

“The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt globally, leading to venue closures and event cancellations, social distancing and self isolation – all measures aimed at flattening the curve as the coronavirus spreads,” the website reads. “In an effort to support and abide by these health initiatives, the decision was made to cancel this year’s 420 Vancouver protest and celebration at Sunset Beach, which last year drew 150,000 people.”

Vancouver police had estimated the crowd at last year’s event peaked at 60,000, with no major incidents reported.

Some councillors have been vocal about their opposition to the annual gathering, tabling motions aimed at recovering costs associated with cleanup.

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