B.C. to allow 10 to gather outdoors

British Columbia's provincial health officer is allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, provide an update on COVID-19 in BC. #covidbc https://t.co/8x4ZKvrjyL

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) March 11, 2021

Dr. Bonnie Henry says restrictions on indoor gatherings and rules for restaurants, bars, retail stores and other venues remain in place.

Provincial health orders prohibit social gatherings of any size at residences beyond those in a household, which meant no gatherings in backyards or elsewhere on someone's property.

The updated PHO order and guidance mean:
✅ Small gatherings outdoors in places like backyards, parks, and beaches are OK
✅ Outdoor playdates for kids in same cohort are OK

(3/5) #CovidBC

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) March 11, 2021

❌ No gathering indoors with anyone outside your household
❌ Do not gather with several groups of new friends – stick to one group
❌ Do not go inside a residence – like to watch TV or prepare food

(4/5) #CovidBC

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) March 11, 2021

Henry is also restricting liquor sales at bars and restaurants on St. Patrick's Day from 8 p.m. to the following day at 9 a.m.

She says while the infection curve of the pandemic is trending down on Vancouver Island and in the Interior and Northern health regions, COVID-19 is still circulating in communities, particularly in the Lower Mainland.

People can now choose a maximum of 10 people to enjoy physically distanced outdoor activities with — and stick with them. Always plan extra carefully if you have a high-risk person in your household. (2/5) #CovidBC

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) March 11, 2021

She announced 569 new cases today and three more deaths, pushing the death toll in the province to 1,397.

B.C. has administered more than 360,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine so far.