National

B.C. could drop more COVID restrictions: top doc

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Mar, 2022 05:36 PM

VANCOUVER - British Columbia's provincial health officer says she's optimistic the province is moving to a "better place" that could see more COVID-19 restrictions lifted this month before spring break.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says a decline in hospitalizations, immunity from vaccination and the availability of at-home rapid tests point the way forward to normal activities like high school graduations that youth in particular need to feel connected to others.

Join Adrian Dix, Minister of Health and Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC’s provincial health officer for an update on COVID-19. #CovidBC https://t.co/NqLNlkeM4D
— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) March 1, 2022

However, she says not everyone will be ready or able to leave behind some pandemic measures like masks so it's important for people to be respectful of those who are immunocompromised or elderly because they're still at risk of infection.

She says businesses and workplaces will have to take responsibility for requiring some measures like vaccine passports, depending on the level of risk, and it's important to move slowly through a time of transition.

Henry says there are still some uncertainties about new variants, including BA. 2, with some cases present in B.C., though no cases of BA. 3 and Delta Omicron have been detected in the province.

Henry says she will soon shift to weekly updates as B.C. ensures it's prepared for a potential uptick in COVID-19 cases during respiratory season in the fall.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Single vehicle collision claims lives of 2 UBC students

The driver of the vehicle, a 21-year-old male of Vancouver came to a stop after striking a parked car. He was arrested at scene, taken to a local hospital for minor injuries, later released, and will appear in court at a later date.

Single vehicle collision claims lives of 2 UBC students

MPs' $3.3 million 'golden goodbyes'

51 MPs, who lost their seats or decided not to stand again, qualify for a severance cheque worth half their salary — some $92,900 or more if they were a cabinet minister or chaired a committee.

MPs' $3.3 million 'golden goodbyes'

Direct passenger flights from India resume

In a post on Twitter, Transport Canada says direct flights from India can land in Canada, but travellers must have a negative COVID-19 test from an approved laboratory at the New Delhi airport no more than 18 hours before their departure.

Direct passenger flights from India resume

Meng decision, two Michaels not linked: WH

Press secretary Jen Psaki says the U.S. Department of Justice is an independent agency and reached the decision to pursue a deferred prosecution agreement with the Huawei executive on its own.

Meng decision, two Michaels not linked: WH

Poll suggests vaccine tensions high in Canada

The survey found vaccinated people consider the unvaccinated as irresponsible and selfish, a view contested by those who are not immunized. Some members of the latter group have been staging demonstrations outside hospitals and schools in recent weeks to protest vaccine passports and other public health measures.

Poll suggests vaccine tensions high in Canada

Businesses, schools and cities to observe Sept. 30

The House of Commons unanimously supported legislation in June to make Sept. 30, also known as Orange Shirt Day, a federally recognized holiday to mark the history of and intergenerational trauma caused by residential schools. The statutory holiday applies to all federal employees and workers in federally regulated workplaces.