Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Capacity limits to be lifted in B.C.

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Oct, 2021 02:12 PM
  • Capacity limits to be lifted in B.C.

Indoor and outdoor organized events in British Columbia will soon be able to return to full capacity to allow those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend, with the province's top doctor saying health officials will keep an eye on the risk.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday that indoor sporting events, concerts, movie theatres, symphonies and other seated venues can go to 100 per cent capacity when proof of vaccination status is checked on Monday.

It's one day after the deadline on Sunday for residents to be fully vaccinated if they want to attend certain venues.

"So, it doesn't reduce the risk to zero. It means that we are mitigating the risk. We know that the risk of people who are fully vaccinated transmitting the virus and getting sick is much, much less."

Henry said not all residents may be able to safely attend those events, including immunocompromised people who might not feel ready to be exposed to others in a large group setting. Mask requirements for indoor settings like these are still in place, she said.

Weddings, funeral receptions and parties can also go to full capacity. Orders aimed at restricting the movement of people at restaurants will also be lifted.

However, officials will monitor the spread of infections because B.C.'s hospitals are "stretched," Henry added. "Yes, we are watching that carefully, and I hope to be able to take off more restrictions as we get through the next few months. But it's going to be a challenge for all of us."

The rules remain in place for nightclubs and bars, where socialization is an important part of those settings, she added.

"It doesn't go as far as having lots of people dancing," she said of the continued restrictions.

B.C. reported 560 new cases on Tuesday and five more deaths for a total of 2,086.

The vaccination rate has reached 89.2 per cent for those eligible for the first shot and 83.5 per cent have received a second dose.

In order to attend events or venues, anyone who is 12 years and older will need to present their vaccine card proving that they have been fully vaccinated. The Sunday deadline requires anyone attending those settings to have been fully vaccinated for at least seven days.

Bridgitte Anderson, the chief executive officer of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, called changes a "critical step" towards the hospitality and tourism sector's recovery.

The Vancouver Canucks said in a statement on Tuesday the announcement was "great news" and said the team is looking forward to the season home opener next Tuesday.

Henry said capacity limits will remain in effect where regional orders are in place, including the eastern Fraser Valley and parts of the northern and Interior health regions.

She also addressed COVID-19 in schools, where she said the province is seeing similar transmission rates and numbers of schools affected as last year.

"Most of the infections, the source of infections, for school aged children is outside of the classroom," Henry said.

A new report by the Provincial Health Services Authority, posted to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control's website, examined the impact of the virus during the start of B.C. 2021-22 school year.

"Serious outcomes from COVID-19 infections continue to be rare among all school-age children in B.C.," the report says. "Among 12-17-year-old children who are eligible to be vaccinated, hospitalization is less common in youth who have at least one dose of vaccine compared to those who are unvaccinated."

Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix also shared their frustration with efforts to crack down on businesses flouting COVID-19 safety rules.

"We're disappointed to be at this place because health authorities, as you can imagine, are unbelievably busy," Dix said.

The Fraser Health Authority is seeking an injunction against a restaurant in Hope that has refused to follow COVID-19 health protocols.

"It shows people they don't respect their neighbours, they don't respect their business neighbours, they don't respect their community," Henry said of the restaurant.

Dix said he understands other businesses may be frustrated by the delay in punishing the offending business, but the government is committed to cracking down on those who refuse to follow health orders.

MORE National ARTICLES

Incoming army commander under investigation

Incoming army commander under investigation
Cadieu was recently promoted and a ceremony to install him as head of the army was slated for Sept. 7. A 29-year veteran of the military, Cadieu previously served in Bosnia and Afghanistan before most recently providing analysis and advice to the chief of the defence staff.

Incoming army commander under investigation

O'Toole grapples with immunization for MPs

O'Toole grapples with immunization for MPs
Mandatory immunization has been called for by the Liberals and Bloc Québécois, and supported by the NDP, as parties prepare for Parliament to resume following last month's federal election.

O'Toole grapples with immunization for MPs

605 COVID19 cases for BC

605 COVID19 cases for BC
There are 5,172 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 187,564 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 374 people are in hospital and 153 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.    

605 COVID19 cases for BC

B.C. spends $132 million on treatment services

B.C. spends $132 million on treatment services
Sheila Malcolmson, the province's minister of mental health and addictions, says the program will include 65 new or improved services, about 130 more staff and 195 new substance-use treatment beds.

B.C. spends $132 million on treatment services

Mayors ask Liberals for transit aid

Mayors ask Liberals for transit aid
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit municipal coffers hard as cities have watched transit ridership drop along with fare revenue. At the same time, cities have seen expenses rise, leading to budget holes that mayors have repeatedly sought federal cash to fill.    

Mayors ask Liberals for transit aid

Canadians welcome U.S. land border reopening

Canadians welcome U.S. land border reopening
Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents have been allowed back into Canada since August, provided they have waited at least 14 days since getting a full course of a Health Canada-approved vaccine and can show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test.

Canadians welcome U.S. land border reopening