As cases surge across BC, the provincial government has announced a large list of new restrictions including halting indoor dining at restaurants for several weeks.
The province announced 2,518 new cases of COVID-19 cases since Friday, and Premier John Horgan, who joined today’s live press conference, stated case counts are higher than they’ve ever been.
Horgan stated percent positivity is up by 50% in some areas.
Horgan also addressed the age cohort between 20-39 who have not been listening to COVID safety measures.
“Do not blow this for the rest of us,” he said in frustration.
“COVID-19 continues to create challenges for people and businesses throughout B.C., and we are grateful for the sacrifices people continue to make to keep one another safe,” said Premier John Horgan.
“We know that the idea of more restrictions is not welcome news, but we are asking people to rise to the challenge with the confidence that vaccines mean better days are ahead. We are not out of the woods yet, but the provincial health officer’s orders, combined with our vaccines, give us the tools we need to move out of this pandemic together.”
As of midnight tonight until April 19th, here’s a list of new restrictions and guidelines:
- For restaurants, bars and pubs, all food and liquor-serving premises must only provide take-out or delivery service. Dine-in service is prohibited, except for outdoor patios. People dining on patios should do so with their immediate household or core bubble.
- Indoor, adult group fitness activities of any kind must cease. Gyms and fitness centres are restricted to individual or one-on-one activities only i.e. one-on-one personal training.
- The previously announced class variance for limited indoor worship services has been suspended. Outdoor worship services under the current variance may continue.
- Travel continues to be limited to essential travel, work or medical reasons only. For those who have travelled outside their health region, if you or anyone in your family develops any signs of illness, you must stay home from work, school or daycare, and arrange to get tested immediately.
- For outdoor gatherings, people should be seeing a max of the same 10 people—not different people at different times — outside and physically distanced.
- All students from grade 4 onwards will now be required to wear masks in schools across BC.
- All workers are strongly encouraged to work from home, where possible.
- Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort is closed through to April 19, 2021, to address and prevent community spread related to non-essential travel.
“Social connection is important, and so is keeping our loved ones and ourselves safe. We all have a choice – to stay safe or put our loved ones, our friends and ourselves at risk, which is why non-essential activities need to be limited and need to be outside with the same small number of people. The sacrifices we make today will help all of us to get through this storm,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, during today’s update.
