Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. to lift most COVID restrictions, but masks, vaccine rules remain

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Feb, 2022 02:52 PM
  • B.C. to lift most COVID restrictions, but masks, vaccine rules remain

VICTORIA - British Columbia will drop capacity limits for indoor and outdoor gatherings including at sporting events, fitness centres, restaurants, bars and nightclubs starting tomorrow.

People will be allowed to dance and mingle in public spaces starting at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday but masks and the COVID-19 vaccine card will still be required at organized gatherings like weddings and sports tournaments.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says B.C. isn't out of the pandemic and officials know the virus could mutate into new variants that may evade immunity that has built up.

Mask requirements, the vaccine card, and restrictions at long-term care homes, schools and child-care centres as well as faith services are expected to be reviewed by March 15 and again by April 12, before the Easter weekend.

Immunization campaigns, including booster shots, will continue in B.C., where 90.5 per cent of residents over age 12 have received their second dose of a vaccine.

The province says it's ensuring a balanced approach to lifting restrictions, and that individuals and organizations can assess risks and make changes at their own pace, based on their comfort levels.

Henry says B.C. is one of the most vaccinated jurisdictions in the world, and the decisions to lift the restrictions are based on the best science and data on what's happening in the province.

"We need to be ready to respond to the ongoing waves and troughs as we get through this next few months with our very high level of community immunity, and as we move into the next respiratory season in the fall."

MORE National ARTICLES

Man shot in Guildford residence

Man shot in Guildford residence
On January 20, 2022, at 1:44 a.m., Surrey RCMP responded to the report of a man shot inside a residence in the 8700-block of 152 Street. Police arrived on scene and located a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.    

Man shot in Guildford residence

Boycott leaves security panel with no Tory MPs

Boycott leaves security panel with no Tory MPs
The government says Liberal MPs Patricia Lattanzio and James Maloney are joining the committee, filling spots most recently held by Conservatives Leona Alleslev and Rob Morrison.    

Boycott leaves security panel with no Tory MPs

Avalanche warning for B.C. and Alberta backcountry

Avalanche warning for B.C. and Alberta backcountry
A special avalanche warning has been posted for recreational backcountry users in several regions of B.C. and Alberta as warm temperatures make the snowpack unstable. Avalanche Canada and Parks Canada have issued the advisory to take effect immediately and last through to Monday.

Avalanche warning for B.C. and Alberta backcountry

Russia faces severe sanctions over Ukraine: Joly

Russia faces severe sanctions over Ukraine: Joly
Russia has positioned about 100,000 troops across Ukraine's borders along with tanks and other heavy artillery, stoking fears across Europe of an invasion, but Russia has denied it intends to do that.

Russia faces severe sanctions over Ukraine: Joly

NDP: Parliamentary conscience or party of power?

NDP: Parliamentary conscience or party of power?
Philippe Fournier of 338Canada.com says polls consistently show that NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is more popular than either Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole. But he says the party must win over suburban voters and attract Liberals tired of the ruling party to stand a chance of forming government.

NDP: Parliamentary conscience or party of power?

Housing ministers meet as MPs probe price gains

Housing ministers meet as MPs probe price gains
The Opposition Conservatives say they plan to recommend a change in how home prices are captured in headline inflation figures, arguing the current readings underestimate the impact. The party's finance critic says there are options the country could consider to better reflect house price inflation in the consumer price index.

Housing ministers meet as MPs probe price gains