Here's Everything You Need To Know About BC's Three-Week COVID-19 Crackdown
On Monday, March 29, Dr. Bonnie Henry provided a B.C. COVID-19 update in which she announced a three-week "circuit breaker" of enhanced restrictions.
Prior to Dr. Henry's announcement, Premier John Horgan noted rapidly increasing case counts "over the past 10 days" and spoke directly to young British Columbians, ages 20 to 39, saying "do not blow this for the rest of us."
The province recorded 2,518 new COVID-19 cases over the weekend.
Below you'll find a list of the amended health orders as announced by Dr. Henry, which will go into effect Tuesday, March 30 at 12:01 a.m. and are expected to lift on April 19, 2021.
Editor's Choice: BC Is Ramping Up COVID-19 Restrictions & Shutting Down Indoor Dining And Fitness
Indoor dining at restaurants
As of Tuesday, March 30, restaurants and bars will no longer be able to serve food or drinks indoors.
Full meal services can continue outside on patios or through take-out and delivery. Any place that only served snacks must close down, said Henry.
If you do choose to eat out on a restaurant's patio, it should be with your immediate household or close contacts if you live alone.
Indoor adult group fitness
Indoor fitness for adults has also been paused for the duration of the circuit breaker.
At present, gyms, studios, and fitness centers will only be allowed to operate on a one-on-one pre-booked basis.
Therefore, personal training is permitted but no other forms of indoor exercise are allowed.
Indoor worship services
At this time, Bonnie Henry has announced that indoor worship services have also been suspended, just days before the Easter long weekend.
"The previously announced class variance for limited indoor worship services has been suspended. Outdoor worship services under the current variance may continue," says a news release from the province.
Additional measures
The province has also opted to close the Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort until April 19 "to address and prevent community spread related to non-essential travel."
The province says that travel should be limited to essential travel only and notes that workers are strongly recommended to work from home where possible.
"Public health guidance for schools has also been amended to support and encourage students down to Grade 4 to wear masks while at school," reads the news release.