Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the mask-wearing mandate in indoor public spaces has been extended for people as young as five-years-old. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

COVID update

Indoor mask mandate enhanced, COVID vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds anticipated shortly

Oct 12, 2021 | 1:00 PM

NANAIMO — Public health officials extended indoor mask wearing rules from schools into the community.

Provincial heath officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced children as young as five-years-old are now required to wear a face covering in all indoor public spaces.

“Recognizing that young people are now wearing masks from K to 12 at our our school system I’m adjusting our public mask mandate requiring it for everyone 5 years of age and older to wear a mask and all indoor public spaces,” Dr. Henry said during a Monday Oct. 12 media briefing.

She said the province anticipated having Health Canada approval potentially as soon as early November for COVID-19 vaccines for children between five and 11-years old.

Dr. Henry said parents can pre-register their children for the shot, with notifications to book appointments as soon as it’s approved by Health Canada.

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“We continue to talk with school communities families and parents to ensure the process will be as seamless as possible for everyone and make sure that our logistics are all in place so that we can provide this vaccine as soon as it’s available.”

All covid vaccination appointments can be set through the province’s Get Vaccinated online portal.

All long term care and assisted living employees in B.C. must now be at least partially vaccinated as a condition of their employment, while other health care workers face similar later this month.

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