Gasoline rationing now in effect on Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island drivers will be limited in how much gasoline they are allowed to put into their vehicles for the remainder of the month.

On Friday, the B.C. government announced that individual drivers will only be able to buy a maximum of 30 litres of gasoline per trip to the gas station.

The order is in effect until Dec. 1 on Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, the Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast and the Sea-to-Sky region.

Essential and emergency vehicles will have "unrestricted access" to fuel, says the province.

The gas limits for individual commuters come as the province continues to juggle disrupted supply chains following flooding in many areas of B.C. 

"We have a steady supply of gas to support all our essential vehicles and we will get through these restrictions together by staying calm, only buying what we need and looking out for each other," said B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth on Friday.

"These measures are necessary during temporary shortages as work is under way to re-establish B.C.’s fuel supply."

The province says gas retailers will be responsible for making sure that gas reserves last until Dec. 1.

The provincial government will also be working with gas stations to make sure the limits on individual fill-ups are being followed.