In a live press conference today, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the lifting of capacity limits at organized events and gatherings in the province.
As of October 25th, attendance at organized events and gatherings in the province will be increased from their current restricted capacity of 50% back to 100%.
This change comes into effect where the BC Vaccine Card is in place and proof of vaccination status is checked.
The vaccine card is currently required for:
- Indoor ticketed concerts, theatre, dance, symphony and sporting events
- Indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants, pubs and bars
- Nightclubs and casinos
- Movie theatres
- Gyms, pools and recreation facilities
- Indoor high intensity group exercise
- Indoor organized gatherings like weddings, parties, conferences, meetings and workshops
- Indoor organized group recreational classes and activities like pottery and art
- Post-secondary on-campus student housing; Students must be partially-vaccinated by September 7th.
The changes will come into effect where there are no regional health orders in place. There are currently regional health orders in Northern Health, Interior Health and Fraser East.
In addition, seated requirements will also be lifted in places such as restaurants and pubs to allow more freedom of movement. This does not include dance floors at nightclubs.
Masks will still be required in public settings and when not seated.
Since September, proof of vaccination has been required in BC for people attending certain recreational settings and events.
The temporary public health order required people to be vaccinated with one dose by September 13th and with two doses by October 24th.
The changes to capacity limits in the province come into effect one day after full vaccination requirements come into place.
Dr. Bonnie Henry says this is the first step in leveraging the benefits of the provincial vaccine card.
BC Health officials will be looking at additional restrictions being reduced in the next coming weeks.
