Some regional COVID-19 restrictions lifted in B.C., others expanded through holiday season
With COVID-19 transmission and vaccination rates changing across B.C., regional health orders are also shifting through the upcoming holiday season, the province's top doctor announced Tuesday.
In her weekly COVID-19 update, Dr. Bonnie Henry addressed restrictions in the Northern Health region that limit personal gatherings to fully vaccinated people only. Those restrictions, which were extended indefinitely earlier this month, now have an end date of Jan. 31, well after the holidays.
"We've been in a transition period over the last week and a bit to try and ensure that we are having restrictions that are commensurate with the risk in those areas, as well as the strain in the health-care system," Henry said.
Another change, Henry announced, is that the restrictions will now cover the entire Northern Health region. Previously, local health areas west of Kitwanga, including Terrace, Kitimat, Haida Gwaii, Prince Rupert, Stikine, Telegraph, Snow Country and the Nisga’a areas were exempt.
Those restrictions prohibit personal gatherings among unvaccinated people, keep bars and nightclubs and closed and don't allow in-person worship services.
For social gatherings, groups of no more than 10 fully vaccinated people may gather indoors. The limit goes up to 25 fully vaccinated people if the gathering is outside.
Henry encouraged people across the province to have conversations with friends and family ahead of the holiday season about whether they're vaccinated.
"It is important for people, especially at this time of the year, to continue to take these precautions to protect those who are most at risk," she said.
"If we're having family gatherings and we have people in our family who are elder, who are seniors, who have immune compromising conditions, or we're concerned about catching this virus … vaccination is our best protection for those who are most vulnerable."
Meanwhile, Henry also announced the extra regional health orders in place for Interior Health will lift Tuesday evening. Those extra measures, which were expanded to the entire health region on Aug. 20, include size limits on personal gatherings.
Henry said the changes are due to "the decrease in transmission and the levelling off of our hospitalizations and the strains in communities."
Interior Health will still be under the same health orders in place for the rest of the province, like the mask rules for indoor public spaces.
Restrictions that are in place in Fraser East will remain in place, Henry said.
"We are in a most difficult and challenging time. And people in British Columbia across our province have been tested repeatedly," Henry said. "We're not out of the woods yet with this pandemic."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.