Dr. Bonnie Henry says the time is not right to re-open large sections of the province. (flickr/Gov't of B.C.)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

covid-19 update

‘This is not the time to take those risks:’ caution urged against re-opening too quick

Jun 16, 2020 | 4:17 PM

NANAIMO — The province’s top doctor continues to preach patience during B.C.’s fight against the coronavirus.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported 11 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, June 16. The total included 10 active cases and one epidemiologically linked case.

None were in the Island Health region where no new, active cases have been present since early May and the region officially COVID-free since the first week of June.

Dr. Henry said despite low case counts, the time is not right to re-open certain sections of the province and the provincial restart plan will continue cautiously.

“To do this we…will continue to open what is safe to open and keeping closed those things that are more risky. We knew closed spaces with poor ventilation, close contact over a period of time are the higher risk,” Dr. Henry said.

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The province previously indicated an announcement about phase three of the restart plan could come in mid-June, following two consecutive incubation periods.

Under phase three, hotels and resorts, parks, the film industry and select entertainment venues such as movie theatres would be permitted to re-open under strict guidelines.

“We will have the opportunity to do these things again, but just not now. This is not the time to take those risks,” Dr. Henry said. “It is far easier to maintain a safe physical for four people than from 40 and those are the things we need to think about now.”

There are just 172 active cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia, with 2,416 people fully recovering from the virus since the beginning of the pandemic.

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