Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Province brings in new restrictions ahead of Christmas

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Dec, 2021 02:44 PM
  • Province brings in new restrictions ahead of Christmas

British Columbia is tightening public health restrictions as it also introduces enhanced rapid testing and booster shot programs to fight the highly contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant.

Starting at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday Dec 22nd, bars, nightclubs, gyms, fitness centres and dance studios will have to close, and all seated events will be reduced to 50 per cent capacity.

Indoor gatherings including weddings are being cancelled.

The health orders allow restaurants and cafes to stay open, but seating will be limited to a maximum of six people at a table, and physical distancing must be followed.

The new measures will remain in effect until Jan. 18.

Dr. Bonnie Henry "The virus has changed. And so must we."They say adversity introduces us to ourselves," said Henry. "Our storm with COVID-19 is not over."

Henry said the province is seeing "explosive outbreaks," with a large number of people being exposed at the same time. There's also been a spike in cases for those aged 18 to 35. The incubation period for the Omicron variant is shorter as well, Henry said. 

The government also announced an expansion of its vaccine booster program starting in January when large venues, such at the Vancouver Convention Centre, will become mass immunization sites.

Rapid COVID-19 testing will also be expanded next month with the expected arrival of 11 million tests from the federal government. The tests that are currently available will be distributed at long-term care facilities, among health-care workers and to rural, remote, Indigenous and vulnerable communities.

There will be 500k tests for students and staff to be deployed as needed in K to 12 to support return to school and continuity of in-person learning. An additional 500k for post-secondary students, faculty and staff.

Last week, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry introduced restrictions that placed limits on the size of indoor personal gatherings, capped audience numbers in large venues, prohibited New Year's Eve parties.

The law around social gatherings is this. You can have two households. Or up to ten people. That is it. And the same people through to end of restrictions. Everyone must be vaccinated. No more household plus 10.

Dr. Bonnie Henry "Everyone in B.C. will eventually be exposed to Omicron. But how you protect yourself will determine if you get sick. You can visit with friends inside. But keep it to the same group of up to 10". 

Omicron is surpassing Delta as the dominant strain in the province.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. hails pediatric vaccine announcement: Henry

B.C. hails pediatric vaccine announcement: Henry
Dr. Bonnie Henry and Adrian Dix say in a joint statement that they welcome both the Health Canada announcement and recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization on use of the lower-dose vaccine for those children.

B.C. hails pediatric vaccine announcement: Henry

B.C. NDP postpones virtual convention

B.C. NDP postpones virtual convention
A party statement says it is looking for a new convention date and business not required to happen this weekend under the NDP constitution is postponed.

B.C. NDP postpones virtual convention

'Time is the biggest challenge' in building levee

'Time is the biggest challenge' in building levee
Henry Braun, the mayor of Abbotsford, said Canadian Forces troops are expected to join contractors to help build the temporary 2.5-kilometre dike to keep out water from the overflowing Sumas River.

'Time is the biggest challenge' in building levee

New Westminster Police investigate homicide at coffee house

New Westminster Police investigate homicide at coffee house
The male, who was suffering from life-threatening injuries, was transported to the Royal Columbian Hospital where lifesaving interventions continued; however, he did not survive. IHIT has assumed conduct of this investigation and will be working in partnership with the New Westminster Police Major Crime Unit to gather evidence and determine motive.

New Westminster Police investigate homicide at coffee house

More than 1M COVID-19 doses wasted: survey

More than 1M COVID-19 doses wasted: survey
The survey suggests at least 1,016,669 doses have been rejected since vaccines first arrived last December. That's about 2.6 per cent of the entire supply delivered to the provinces and territories that provided their numbers.    

More than 1M COVID-19 doses wasted: survey

B.C. restaurants struggle with supply after floods

B.C. restaurants struggle with supply after floods
Restaurant operators in British Columbia's southern Interior are scrambling after flooding and landslides closed highways and rail lines, cutting businesses off from the supply chains they rely on. It's the latest hurdle after 20 months of struggles through the COVID-19 pandemic and a summer of smoky skies from wildfires that wiped out tourism.

B.C. restaurants struggle with supply after floods