New COVID-19 restrictions have been announced by BC health officials that will be in place starting at midnight tomorrow (Dec.22).
The restrictions will run until January 18th, and include:
- No indoor organized gatherings of any size (weddings, receptions, celebratory events, etc.)
- Bars and nightclubs are closed
- Gyms, fitness centres, and dance studios are closed
- Sports tournaments are cancelled
- Seated events are reduced to 50% capacity, regardless of the venue size (Concerts, sports games, theatres, movie theatres, etc.)
- Tables at restaurants, pubs and cafes are limited to six people, plus physical distancing or barriers
The province said the Omicron variant is proving to be more transmissible than the Delta variant, the severity of the illness could significantly impact hospitals, and the virus is reinfecting people who previously had the virus and infecting those who are fully vaccinated.
It’s noted that the province is also seeing a spike in cases for those aged 18-35.
Dr Bonnie Henry said that the BC healthcare system is in a weakened position.
“I don’t need to say how fragile and how stretched our healthcare system is.”
“Yes, it’s discouraging, yes, we need a break, yes, people are leaving the healthcare professions because it is so challenging. And when we have things like people protesting at hospitals and protesting at vaccination clinics and threatening healthcare workers, those are the things that are making it even more challenging,” added Henry.
“Ya, we’re tired. But we’re going to be there, and we need everybody to support us in getting through this next wave too.”
Rapid testing in BC is also being ramped up:
- BC is expecting 200,000 tests from the Government of Canada by December 31st
- The province has also purchased 500,000 tests that are expected to arrive in late December
- Canada is expecting 84 million tests from five different manufacturers to better supply provinces, and BC is expecting it’s share by mid to late January
- Of those 84 million tests, 10 million are expected to be for at home use
With this information, BC is aiming to make tests more readily available for people showing symptoms of the virus by making more locations available in communities, offer tests for students and staff in K-12, as well as post secondary education, and expanding testing for healthcare workers, long term care, and remote areas.
Henry noted that rapid tests aren’t a green light to go to events, adding that keeping gatherings this holiday season small is what will get us through this.
“The real thing is that I’m appealing to know what your risk is in your community and your family. And making sure that you keep things as small as possible.”
The province is also slated to augment it’s booster dose program starting in January:
- Vaccination capacity will increase by 62% through clinic expansion
- Pharmacy capacity will increase as more pharmacies join the program
- Wait times for appointments will aim to be around one to three weeks on average
Henry offered some potential light at the end of the tunnel.
“I mentioned there is some limited evidence, and maybe it’s my optimism, that if we get through this, especially younger people who are vaccinated, who don’t have severe illness, and don’t end up in hospital, that we have good, strong protection.”
Minister of Health Adrian Dix ended the announcement by saying that we can all do something to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“What we all can do, all of us can do, is to limit the risk for ourselves, and for our community, and the ones we love, is to limit personal contacts right now. This is necessary, it has to be done, and we understand that it’s very difficult.”
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