Dr. Bonnie Henry announced revisions to her previous health order pertaining to restaurants during a briefing on Thursday, June 11. (BC Government Flickr)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

RESTAURANT RULES

Restaurant capacity rules revised as B.C. posts 14 new COVID-19 cases

Jun 11, 2020 | 3:37 PM

NANAIMO — For the sixth consecutive day, British Columbia did not register a death related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed 14 new cases of coronavirus during her Thursday briefing to the public.

No cases were in the Island Health region, leaving the area with 130 total cases since the start of the pandemic and none currently active.

Through B.C., 183 cases are considered active with 13 people in hospital and five people in intensive or critical care.

On Wednesday, June 10, the province officially updated existing health orders pertaining to restaurant capacity and operation during the COVID-19 restart plan.

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Amendments to the order deal with how many people can be in a restaurant at one time.

Dr. Henry said instead of a blanket 50 per cent rule for all restaurants, owners and operators will be required to identify a number for their capacity, which includes patios.

“This was one of the complicating things, as you’re expanding your patio how do we know what number to use. It will be done in collaboration and we’ll have a defined capacity that will allow us to understand how better to enforce the rules,” Dr. Henry said.

Expanding patios onto the street in downtown Nanaimo was recently approved by council as a measure to help restaurants during the pandemic.

The province also clarified use of barriers inside smaller venues or buffet-style restaurants.

Worksafe BC will continue to work with businesses in implementing the updated plans.

An emotional Dr. Henry also spoke on the overdose crisis in B.C. in the wake of new data showing a record number of people died from drug overdose in May.

Thirty-eight people lost their lives in May across Vancouver Island, well up from the previous high of 28 in early 2018.

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