Current COVID-19 restrictions are here to stay for at least a little while longer.
British Columbia’s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced on Thursday, January 7, 2020 that the provincial health order on province-wide COVID-19 restrictions is now extended to February 5, 2021 at midnight. The province has deemed another extension necessary due to the sudden rise in COVID-19 cases in B.C following the holidays, which is presumed to be a consequence of unsanctioned social gatherings and celebrations. As a result, the current restrictions will be in effect for another month, and case numbers and hospitalizations will be monitored closely to determine if further action is required.
Current public health orders and restrictions are extended until Feb 5. We continue to see high transmission rates through social gatherings. Socialize only with people who live in your household, and avoid any non-essential travel. See details: https://t.co/kB9OsWhafY #CovidBC pic.twitter.com/A0CUEk1oXa
— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) January 8, 2021
The provincial health order outlines that indoor and outdoor events are suspended temporarily until further notice. This includes musical or theatre performances, galas, silent auctions, movie viewings in cinemas, religious gatherings and worship services, high-intensity fitness classes, and adult indoor and outdoor team sports. These types of gatherings have been restricted in an attempt to minimize transmission of the virus. Drive-in and drop-off events are excluded from the restrictions, and essential workplaces and schools are still able to remain open for the time being.
In addition, in-person social gatherings of any size with anyone outside of your immediate household or core bubble are still prohibited. This means no inviting your friends or extended family over, nor can you host any gatherings outdoors or in your backyard. The province also continues to urge residents to avoid non-essential travel.
#CovidBC update: 761 new cases since we last reported, for a total of 56,015 cases in BC. There have been 8 new deaths, for a total of 970. To date, 41,064 people have received a COVID-19 vaccine in BC. https://t.co/OXAJBdqmAJ pic.twitter.com/iofBKhNKPA
— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) January 8, 2021
It’s also been reported that British Columbia now has three cases of the coronavirus variant first detected in the United Kingdom. According to officials, the infected household is currently in isolation and nobody else should be at risk for now.
“Brighter days are without a doubt ahead, when thousands more will be immunized from COVID-19 and the spread of the virus has slowed. Let’s work together now knowing what we do will make a difference for all of us tomorrow,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, and Adrian Dix, B.C.’s Minister of Health in a joint statement.
[Featured Image Source: Shutterstock ]