B.C.'s COVID-19 restrictions will be in place for an unknown period of time.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Henry announced this morning (Feb. 5) the guidelines that were set to expire today will now be extended until further notice, citing main concerns about the COVID-19 variants entering B.C.
There are 28 cases of variants discovered to date, all of which involve the B.1.1.7 (U.K. variant) and the B.1.351 (South African variant).
The orders include mandatory masks in all indoor public and retail spaces, no organized public gatherings of size and gatherings with people outside your immediate household, along with a ban on indoor and outdoor sports for adults aged 22 and older.
NEW - Dr. Bonnie Henry announces B.C.'s COVID-19 restrictions that were going to expire today are now being extended until further notice. No date of expiry given. #bcpoli #bced #covid19 #COVIDbc #cityofpg @PGMatters
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) February 5, 2021
Sports included are:
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Combat sports
- Floor hockey
- Floor ringette
- Road hockey
- Ice hockey
- Ringette
- Martial arts
- Netball
- Team skating
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Indoor bowling
- Lawn bowling
- Curling
- Lacrosse
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Hockey
- Ultimate
- Rugby
- Football
- Baseball
- Softball
While restrictions are currently in place related to adult team sports, some indoor and outdoor sports and activities are permitted with a reduced number of participants:
- Two people may engage in indoor sports with one another
- Four people may engage in outdoor sports with one another
In both cases, participants must maintain a distance of three metres from one another unless everyone lives in the same private residence.
Henry is also not making changes to ViaSportBC's Return to Sport Phase Two guidances.
The order means that games, tournaments and competitions are temporarily suspended for teams.
Individual drills and modified training activities are allowed to continue while Amateur sports organizations and leagues may implement additional guidelines to ensure the health and safety of those participating.
Officials added they hope they can have some sports restrictions eased at the end of February and potentially the return of safe six bubbles.
Henry said she would be "continually reviewing" whether data supports ending restrictions early, or extending them into March, and beyond.
"We all want to get to the days where these orders can be lifted," provincial health officer Bonnie Henry told media February 5. "As we look toward the end of this month, these data will tell us if more action is required, or if we can start to ease the restrictions we have in place through our shared efforts."
An advisory remains on non-essential travel for all British Columbians, who are encouraged to avoid it if it's not necessary.
In terms of households, single people may include a small number of people who they do not live with as being part of their households, and therefore being people who they are able to invite into their homes.
As of this publication, Northern Health has a recorded total of 3,610 cases with 397 of those active while 20 people are hospitalized with 16 of those in critical care or ICU.
A total of 85 lives have been lost.
- with a file from Glen Kordstrom, Business In Vancouver
