Close X
Monday, November 11, 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

Canadian trial suggests benefits of remdesivir

Canadian trial suggests benefits of remdesivir
A Canadian study suggests the antiviral medication remdesivir could have a "modest but significant effect" on COVID-19 patient outcomes, including decreasing the need for mechanical ventilation by approximately 50 per cent. The study, published Wednesday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, is billed as the largest single-country trial of remdesivir reported to date.

Canadian trial suggests benefits of remdesivir

B.C. doubles relief grants for certain businesses

B.C. doubles relief grants for certain businesses
A statement from the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation says businesses including event venues, bars, nightclubs and lounges that don't serve full meals are eligible for grants of up to $20,000, based on staffing levels.

B.C. doubles relief grants for certain businesses

Woman thrown against wall of hotel by attacker in Downtown: VPD

Woman thrown against wall of hotel by attacker in Downtown: VPD
The victim, a 22-year-old woman, was walking along West Georgia Street in front of Hotel Georgia when she was suddenly grabbed by a man, walking in the opposite direction, on December 31 at around 3:30 p.m. She was thrown against the exterior wall of the hotel and held down.

Woman thrown against wall of hotel by attacker in Downtown: VPD

Antiviral on its way to provinces and territories

Antiviral on its way to provinces and territories
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the first shipment of an oral COVID-19 pill is making its way across Canada but is no substitute for vaccination against the rapidly spreading virus. The anti-viral drug Paxlovid is meant to protect against hospitalization and death.

Antiviral on its way to provinces and territories

Unvaccinated military face uphill battle: lawyer

Unvaccinated military face uphill battle: lawyer
Controversy over mandatory vaccinations for the military has re-emerged during the pandemic, with chief of the defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre ordering all personnel to be inoculated against COVID-19.

Unvaccinated military face uphill battle: lawyer

PBO report questions need for stimulus spending

PBO report questions need for stimulus spending
In a report this morning, Yves Giroux says the federal guardrails designed to guide spending decisions appear to have been met, suggesting any stimulus should be wound down before the fiscal year ends in March.

PBO report questions need for stimulus spending