All the new COVID-19 restrictions that are kicking in today in BC
On Tuesday afternoon, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced additional restrictions for gatherings and events in BC, a revision of orders that were initially announced on Friday, December 17.
The new health orders apply to social gatherings and large-scale events and will remain in place until January 18, with the preexisting orders to remain in place until January 31.
Here’s a quick summary of the restrictions that come into effect in BC tonight.
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Events and public gatherings
All indoor seated events will be forced to reduce capacity by 50%. This order originally only applied to events with 1,000 people or more.
This applies to concerts and sporting events like Canucks games. Sports tournaments are also being paused.
All indoor organized gatherings are off. This includes weddings, receptions, or other celebratory events.
The BC Vaccine Card will also be utilized to a greater degree, impacting all venues regardless of the number of attendees. The BC Vaccine Card was mandated for venues and events for 50 people or more prior to Friday’s announcement.
Private gatherings
Gatherings will be limited to one household, plus an additional 10 guests, or one additional household.
Furthermore, everyone attending must be vaccinated. Unvaccinated visitors must not be permitted.
Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs
Restaurants will remain open with a six-person-per-table max.
Mingling is not permitted. Patrons at an eatery must remain seated at all times unless they need to visit the restroom. Masks will also need to stay on at all times unless you are seated at your table.
As of 11:59 pm on Tuesday, December 21, all bars and nightclubs must be closed. They are to remain closed until January 18, 2022.
New Year’s Eve
Dr. Henry announced that all New Year’s Eve parties are effectively cancelled. Restaurants will still be able to operate at full capacity for regular dining, with a six-person-per-table max.
Fitness
Gyms, fitness centres, and dance studios will be closed until January 18, 2022.
Holiday shopping
While specifics haven’t yet been revealed, during a press conference on Friday, Henry suggested that BC health officials would be working with retailers to ensure proper COVID-19 safety protocols are in place prior to the busy shopping holiday season, which will also apply to Boxing Day.