Kelowna 
Following Quebec and Ontario, British Columbia is bringing in new restrictions effective December 20th to mitigate the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the province.
The restrictions include limiting indoor personal gatherings, reducing the indoor capacity of venues, pausing sports tournaments and cancelling New Year’s Eve parties.
The measures are in effect until Jan. 31, 2022.
“These measures will help us to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the ones we care about,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health announcing the restrictions. “Slowing the spread and keeping each other safe is a cause in which we are all connected. It’s that togetherness that will get all of us through the next days and weeks.”
British Columbia reported 753 new cases yesterday.
List of New Measures Effective Dec 20, 2021
- Indoor, personal gathering limited to the household/residents plus 10 individuals, or one additional household maximum if all are aged 12 and older are fully vaccinated
- All patrons must be seated at restaurants and bars and movement (mingling) between tables is restricted. Masks must be worn when not seated.
- 50 per cent capacity limit for venues with a usual capacity of more than 1,000
- Pausing all sports tournaments
- New Year’s Eve organized gatherings and events are cancelled unless it is a seated-only event, with no mingling or dancing allowed.
- The BC Vaccine Card is required for organized events of all sizes.
Other guidance:
Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer is asking retail stores to have COVID-19 safety plans in place for holiday and Boxing Day sales.
The province is also advising British Columbians to limit indoor gatherings to those who are fully vaccinated, to ensure proper ventilation indoors, to avoid all travel if not fully vaccinated and to follow the travel advisory issued by the federal government to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada.
