BC quietly removes end date on closure order for gyms, fitness centres
Gyms and fitness centres have been closed for weeks, but there was some hope that BC’s top doctor could allow them to reopen when restrictions were set to expire on Tuesday, January 18.
But that hope has seemingly been dashed as the BC government quietly updated a public health order with a line stating, “This order does not have an expiration date.”
Dr. Bonnie Henry is set to address current restrictions during a news conference on Tuesday — the same day orders on gyms, fitness centres, and gatherings were scheduled to expire.
When asked about the update, the BC Ministry of Health provided a statement to Daily Hive saying the date removal was put in place to ensure that everyone remains compliant with health orders until Henry’s update tomorrow.
Provincial Health Order updated Jan 17, 2022
“The previous December 22nd orders had end dates of 12:01 am, Tuesday, January 18. Dr. Henry will be providing an update on the new orders on Tuesday, January 18 – this updated order was put in place to ensure the orders remain in place until Dr. Henry speaks about them on Tuesday.”
The BC Ministry of Health clarified to say that parts of the order were set to expire at 12:01 am on Tuesday, January 18, as can be seen in the initial document here, with other orders set to expire at 11:59 pm on Tuesday, January 18.
The order making the rounds today is signed by Dr. Henry and dated January 17, 2022.
In addition to removing the original health order deadline, it talks about the spread of the Omicron variant as a key concern and mentions the impact it has had on the healthcare system.
Hospitalizations are at an all-time high in the province, and while Henry suggested that Omicron cases had peaked last week, she went on to say that hospitalizations hadn’t, and that we were weeks away from reaching that point.
Monday’s COVID-19 update had a note that referenced the current restrictions stating, “the provincial health officer’s orders on gatherings and events, and food- and liquor-serving premises, have been extended, including restrictions on gyms and fitness centres. An update will be provided during the Jan. 18 media briefing.”
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