Here's what you need to know about the BC-wide COVID-19 restrictions

Household gathering restrictions now apply to all of BC

BC has expanded its health order banning indoor and outdoor private gatherings with people outside your household.

Previously, only Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health residents were forbidden from hosting small gatherings with people outside their household. Now the order has been expanded to the whole province.

“Delay inviting over people for social events for the next two weeks. Particularly in indoor spaces,” Henry said.

However, BC’s definition of a “household” can include people you live with plus those in your core circle who you see regularly, such as a romantic partner you don’t live with, a parent or grandparent, or a co-parent who lives in a different household.

Mandatory masks

The province also announced a new health order calling for the mandatory use of masks in retail and indoor public spaces.

Henry says that she consulted with both the public and retail sectors, who asked for more explicit directions on the use of masks, specifically to manage employee safety and address ongoing issues with customers.

It also applies to common public areas in workplaces or hotels, such as elevators and corridors between different work areas.

Customers can be refused entrance to stores if they are not wearing a mask.

What about masks at restaurants?

“If you are in a restaurant, you need to wear a mask when you are not at your table. That includes coming into the restaurant, leaving the restaurant, going to the washroom,” said Henry.

The mandate applies to both employees and customers in all public and retail spaces, except when eating or drinking in restaurants.

Remember, you should only visit restaurants with people in your household or core bubble.

Community gatherings banned for two weeks 

All community gatherings and events in the province are banned for the next two weeks – regardless of how many people they include.

“I’m ordering that there’ll be no social gatherings of any size with anyone other than your immediate household,” said Henry.

That said, exceptions will be made “for those important events – funerals, weddings, ceremonies such as baptisms – which may proceed in a limited way with a maximum of 10 people including the officiant.” As well, “there are to be no associated receptions – inside or outside – associated with these celebrations.”

All indoor HIIT, hot yoga and spin classes suspended

High-intensity interval training (HIIT), hot yoga, and indoor spin classes will be stopped until further notice. The suspension applies to all businesses, recreational centres, and other organizations that organize or operate the activities.

Health officials explained that they’ve done a significant amount of work looking into high-risk, indoor group physical activities, as well as different indoor and outdoor sporting activities.

Henry added the conditions needed to make some of these activities safe are not possible at this time.