road pic
As part of ICBC’s measures, all motorcycle, passenger, and commercial road tests are cancelled until further notice. Credit: Frankie Lu on Unsplash.

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) in Canada is suspending all driver road tests and taking additional precautionary measures during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

ICBC noted that the decision is effective immediately and is in line with the public health recommendations around social distancing.

As part of the measures, ICBC cancelled all motorcycle, passenger, and commercial road tests until further notice.

The public insurer said that all impacted customers scheduled to take road tests over the next week are being informed about the appointment cancellations.

In a press statement, the organisation said: “ICBC will reassess the situation in two weeks, taking into account public health recommendations and other operational considerations at that time.

“ICBC will do its best to accommodate those impacted in rescheduling once ICBC returns to full operations.”

Every week, the corporation conducts approximately 7,500 road tests. The cancellations will affect more than 15,000 tests during the next two weeks.

The insurer is also requesting people to pay traffic tickets or fines through mail or phone, rather than in person.

ICBC said that it is increasing the cleaning and sanitisation of all its facilities, as well as asking Covid-19-related screening questions at driver licensing offices.

At claim centres, the public insurer is restricting appointments and drop-in visits to emergency transactions only.

It is also suspending the walk-in service for vehicle insurance customers at its head office.

Meanwhile, the Covid-19 death toll has increased to more than 7,900 globally. A total of more than 198,000 confirmed cases and 81,000 recoveries have been reported as of the end of 17 March.