Too soon to lift B.C.'s COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings and events, officials say
Province-wide restrictions on gatherings and events are likely to be extended as COVID-19 transmission remains high across British Columbia, health officials said Tuesday.
Those restrictions prohibit organized indoor gatherings such as weddings and funeral receptions, and limit personal indoor gatherings to the hosts plus 10 guests, or one additional household.
But provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also suggested the government might relax other measures, if they are no longer deemed necessary to limit the spread of the Omicron variant.
"The restrictions on gatherings and events are likely to remain unchanged for now," Henry said at a news conference. "In parallel, we are looking at what we can safely resume now that all businesses have COVID safety plans."
Jeff Guignard, executive director of the BC Alliance of Beverage Licensees says nightclubs and bars have the necessary safety protocols in place and have proven in previous waves that they can operate safely.
“We just need to know if we’re going to be allowed to reopen,” said Guignard. “We have folks who are trying to make decisions. They have to recall staff and stock up on supplies, and they just don’t know yet whether they can spend the money, so it’s really frustrating.”
B.C.'s latest restrictions, which were introduced last month, forced the temporary closure of bars, nightclubs and gyms, and imposed 50 per cent capacity limits on movie theatres, arenas and other venues.
Officials initially said the measures would remain in place through Jan. 18, unless they need to be extended.
Transmission has continued to climb since then, though the province has lost the ability to accurately track COVID-19 cases because of limitations in testing capacity. While the province announced 2,106 new infections on Monday, an independent group of COVID-19 modellers has suggested the true number was likely closer to 12,500.
Henry acknowledged that many Omicron infections appear to be milder, particularly among people who are fully vaccinated, but noted the number of patients in hospital with COVID-19 has also started climbing rapidly in recent weeks.
"One of the things that is becoming very, very clear is that this strain of the virus is absolutely mostly mild in people who have the protection that vaccination offers," Henry said. "But if you are unvaccinated, you don't have that protection, and your personal risk has gone up dramatically in some communities."
The majority of hospital admissions, in particular those requiring intensive care, involve people who aren't protected by vaccination, Henry said.
The government hasn't provided a breakdown of ICU patients since Friday, at which point the unvaccinated made up 62 per cent of overall COVID-19 critical care admissions – and 88 per cent of those involving people under the age of 50.
Though many people have been expressing frustration and exhaustion at the state of the pandemic, Henry encouraged the public to continue following the government's COVID-19 measures while also conducting thoughtful personal risk assessments to determine how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.
"We all feel like we're getting battered by wave after wave of this storm, but let's not forget that there is much that we do have control over – and there's a lot that we can do safely and happily," she said.
On Dec. 22, the provincial government announced funding from $1,000 to $10,000 for businesses ordered to temporarily close down through the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant.
If the closure order is extended, Guignard says additional money must be made available, and suggests tax temporary relief for affected businesses.
“Like not collecting PST for a month. Giving (businesses) a PST rebate for that period," he said.
As of Tuesday, the application system for the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant is not yet online, so businesses are still waiting for access to the funds.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Monkeypox: What is it and how does it spread?
A growing number of countries, including Canada, the U.S., Spain, Portugal, and the U.K, are reporting an unusual outbreak of monkeypox. Here is what we know about this rare virus.

Canada inflation: How we compare to other G7 nations
With a meeting of G7 finance ministers underway this week, a CTVNews.ca analysis found that while Canadians are feeling the pain of record-high inflation, among G7 nations we are surpassed by Germany, the U.S., and the U.K.
911 dispatcher who took Buffalo shooting call put on leave
A 911 dispatcher has been placed on leave and may lose her job after allegedly hanging up on an supermarket employee hiding during this weekend's shooting rampage in Buffalo, New York.
Service Canada increases staffing at passport counters, but long waits persist
With lengthy delays for Canadians seeking to get a new or renewed passport, Service Canada says it’s upped staffing at passport service counters to expedite processing ahead of the summer travel season. Yet, travellers say they’re still facing long wait times.
Jason Kenney has quit as UCP leader. What happens to the party and government now?
With Jason Kenney having stepped down as leader of Alberta's United Conservative Party, who is now leader of the province?
Conservatives want Canada to revert to pre-pandemic travel rules
The Conservative Party is doubling down on its call for the federal government to do away with travel restrictions and revert back to 'pre-pandemic rules' in light of recent airport delays.
Rosmarie Trapp, whose family inspired 'Sound of Music,' dies
Rosmarie Trapp, whose Austrian family the von Trapps was made famous in the musical and beloved movie 'The Sound of Music,' has died.
OPINION | Don Martin: Premier Jason Kenney deserved a better death
There's a lesson for Canada's political leaders in the short life and quick death of Jason Kenney as premier of Alberta, writes Don Martin in an exclusive opinion column for CTVNews.ca.
NEW | Man charged in Edison Avenue homicide in Winnipeg; police investigating possibility of more victims
The Winnipeg Police Service has changed a 35-year-old man with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a woman whose remains were found near an apartment building in North Kildonan, and police are investigating the possibility of more victims.