The province is applying regional restrictions in the Lower Mainland in the wake of climbing COVID-19 case counts. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

NEW RESTRICTIONS

Province applying new regional restrictions in Lower Mainland to curb COVID-19 transmission

Nov 7, 2020 | 1:42 PM

NANAIMO — Out of control case counts in the Lower Mainland have resulted in a new round of restrictions on social gatherings and recreation.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced new public health orders during a rare weekend briefing on Saturday, Nov. 7. She also confirmed 567 new COVID-19 cases in B.C. including three within Island Health.

All of the orders are for a two week period, effective Saturday and are limited to the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions where a vast majority of new and total cases have occurred. The central coast and Bella Coola are also spared.

“We need to keep our essential services and activities, from schools to workplaces, open and operating safely and right now this is in jeopardy,” Dr. Henry said.

The new orders come into effect at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov 7 and continue through 12 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23. Public health is focusing on different areas of transmission:

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• Social Gatherings: No gatherings of any size allowed outside of immediate household. New order supercede’s 50-person mass gathering limit. Funerals and weddings may proceed, but must be limited to people living in the same house.
• Travel: Strongly recommended by province travel in and out of the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions be limited to essential only. Travel for sports purposes is suspended for the length of the order.
• Workplaces: Must now provide active screening of COVID-19 among visitors and employees and double-down on existing re-opening plans from the summer

Additional restrictions and bans are also being placed on recreation centres and businesses such as gyms and dance studios where high-heart rate activities occur.

Dr. Henry said those indoor, close contact gatherings have been a significant source of transmission in the two health authorities.

“We need to take urgent and focused actions here in particular in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions to avoid the serious consequences for all of us…not just in this region but around the province.”

Dr. Henry said provincial health orders are always a last resort, however a spike in case counts in recent weeks left public health with little option.

“It’s going to be a challenge for all of us but we must do it together. These next two weeks will be critical for all of us. Despite being tired, despite the uncertainty, despite what’s been happening for the last few months this is the road we must walk and we must walk it together.”

Three new cases in Island Health take the regional tally to 289. Across B.C., over 100 people are in hospital with 31 receiving intensive care.

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