While things are slowly looking more optimistic, British Columbians will have to wait a little longer to attend large events around the province.
During Monday’s live COVID-19 press conference, Dr. Bonnie Henry said that anyone who wants a vaccine will be able to get one by July 1st.
However, in the same conference, Henry warned BC residents to not expect any large scale events this summer.
“There is not likely to be big events of any sort, even outdoors, through this summer, and into the fall and winter of next year,” said Henry.
While it’s unclear what constitutes a “big event,” it’s safe to say events such as the Canada Day celebrations or the Victoria Pride Parade and Festival are a no-go.
But for those who are looking for smaller arts festivals, there is some hope.
“What we hope—with the program we are on now, with the amount of vaccines we have—is that we will be able to have some small outdoor events,” Henry said.
Henry also noted that in the UK, where there’s been more vaccinations, they are experimenting with public gatherings by monitoring participants before and after to learn how to mitigate risk.
News of events coming to BC comes after a rodeo in Alberta which hundreds attended, made world news.
On Monday, BC health officials reported 2,174 new COVID-19 cases and 15 new COVID-19 deaths in BC over the weekend.
There are 474 people in the hospital, including 176 in the ICU.
Nearly 1.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in BC, 91,731, of which are second doses.
