B.C.'s COVID-19 rules are changing again. Here's what churchgoers need to know.
An exemption in place worshippers in British Columbia was changed Tuesday as the province confirmed its first case of the concerning Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Previously, those attending church services and other religious gatherings were exempt from provincial mask mandates, though they were still encouraged to wear face coverings.
That announcement was made Nov. 1, with health officials saying at the time that places of worship are only considered indoor public spaces – for the purpose of the mandate – when they are used for secular purposes."
That is, until Tuesday, when the province's top doctor removed that exemption that allowed worshippers to bare their noses and mouths when attending faith services.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said at a weekly news conference that masks are required at these services going forward.
The amendment also applies to those in choirs. Masks can be taken off if eating or drinking during ceremonies, or if physical distancing measures are in place.
She did not say how long the mandate would apply to places of worship, though she announced the update was being put in place "as we enter the holiday and winter season."
Additionally, worship services must now be limited to 50 per cent of seated capacity, she said, unless every participant is vaccinated.
If everyone has had their COVID-19 vaccines, up to 100 per cent capacity is permitted.
"The province, as you know, has a vaccine card available for faith services to use that will allow flexibility for you and your congregation to work with congregants to provide proof of vaccination by other means," Henry said.
"And I know that many faith services have done this already."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.