A newly-imposed regulation limiting the size of gatherings in private homes means "no Halloween parties" this weekend, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed Thursday.
"This is because many of the things we do at parties and celebrations, things like talking and hugging and eating a drinking together indoors are much, much riskier, particularly now," Henry said during a teleconference with provincial media.
Gatherings are now limited to a maximum of six people, plus immediate family.
She pointed to the province's most-recent death from COVID 19, the 262nd since the pandemic took hold, as an example.
"The was a person in their 80s who attended a small birthday party, and by small less than 10 people were at this home and unfortunately, somebody unknowingly got COVID 19," Henry said.
"And even though it was a small party in one person's home, the majority of people who were in that home became infected with COVID 19 and this person unfortunately ended up in hospital and dying from it."
As an alternative to trick or treating on Saturday, a candy cruise has been organized for Prince George.
Henry gave her comments after reporting 234 new cases of COVID 19 across B.C. Active cases rose by 28 to 2,344 as a result.
Nothern Health accounted for seven of those new cases and the number of active cases rose by six to 29, One person in the region remains in intensive care.
Also on Thursday, Northern Health listed Immaculate Conception School in Prince George as the site of a potential exposure.
"If your child's school has been notified of an exposure, no action is required unless you are contacted by Public Health or are otherwise directed by school officials," Northern Health says in the posting.
