New COVID-19 Measures Introduced in B.C. for Holiday Season
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry delivered an announcement that included revised orders aimed to address the rising COVID-19 cases. This order takes effect on Monday, December 20, 2021, and will be extended through to January 31, 2022.
Highlights of the extended measures include:
limiting indoor, personal gatherings, including in rental and vacation properties to the household/residents plus 10 individuals or one additional household maximum if all are aged 12 and older are fully vaccinated;
requiring the BC Vaccine Card for organized events of all sizes and ensuring the QR code is scanned at events;
seating requirements and restricting movement between tables at food and liquor-serving premises, and reinforcing the need to wear masks when not seated;
limiting venues of 1,000 individuals or more to 50% of the seated capacity with reinforced masking requirements and scanning of the BC Vaccine Card QR code;
pausing all sports tournaments while the order is in effect; and
all New Year’s Eve organized gatherings and events will be restricted to being seated-only events, with no mingling or dancing allowed.
In addition to the provincial health orders, British Columbians are also reminded to follow the travel advisories issued by both the federal and provincial governments this week that include avoiding all travel if not fully vaccinated and to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada.