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

Health Canada approves first COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged 5 to 11

Health Canada approves first COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged 5 to 11
Health Canada has approved the first COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11 in Canada, and the first shipment of doses is expected to arrive in the country by Sunday. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech submitted a request for approval of a child-sized dose of its mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 on Oct. 18.

Health Canada approves first COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged 5 to 11

Merritt, B.C., evacuees seeking help in Kamloops

Merritt, B.C., evacuees seeking help in Kamloops
Barkad Khan wiped away tears Thursday as he made another "frustrating" visit to one of the emergency reception centres set up to help residents from Merritt, B.C., who have been forced from their homes due to unprecedented flooding. Khan said he and his family, wife Afreen and daughters Mahveen and Mahira, were given just 10 minutes to get out before their home was flooded.

Merritt, B.C., evacuees seeking help in Kamloops

Military helps ramp up flood relief efforts

Military helps ramp up flood relief efforts
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth has indicated that measures could include an order preventing passage for all but essential travellers as limited access is slowly restored along some highways.

Military helps ramp up flood relief efforts

Domtar mill in Kamloops to be sold with takeover

Domtar mill in Kamloops to be sold with takeover
The companies say the facility will be sold to resolve the Competition Commissioner of Canada's concerns about the implication on the purchase of wood fibre from the Thompson/Okanagan region in British Columbia.

Domtar mill in Kamloops to be sold with takeover

B.C. farmers fight orders to leave to save animals

B.C. farmers fight orders to leave to save animals
The area is under an evacuation order because of flooding in the nearby Sumas River. Police-enforced roadblocks have been set up around the area to prevent people from coming or going.

B.C. farmers fight orders to leave to save animals

Child dead after head-on crash in B.C., RCMP say

Child dead after head-on crash in B.C., RCMP say
The Mounties say in a statement they responded to a crash on Highway 97C south of Logan Lake around 12:15 p.m. Thursday. They say the crash was between a large utility vehicle and a passenger vehicle carrying the child, whose age was not released.

Child dead after head-on crash in B.C., RCMP say