By Kyle Ireland

UPDATED NUMBERS

Seven new cases of COVID-19 confirmed on Vancouver Island, salons and tattoo parlours ordered to close

Mar 21, 2020 | 5:07 AM

NANAIMO — The provincial health officer has confirmed 74 new cases of COVID-19 in the province including seven new cases on Vancouver Island.

The announcement from Dr. Bonnie Henry brings the total of confirmed cases of the virus to 37 in the Island Health region and 424 overall in the province.

Dr. Henry also announced on Saturday all personal businesses to close until further notice including salons, spas, massage and tattoo parlours.

Meanwhile, the world’s longest undefended border is no longer open for routine, casual traffic between Canada and the United States.

The ban on non-essential cross-border travel went into effect at 9 p.m. local time and will stay in place for at least 30 days as both countries scramble to curb the rapid spread of COVID-19.

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