Mandatory MASK policy for all indoor public spaces re-instituted effective August 21, 2021
This will remain in effect until at least the end of September. See the announcement of August 20, 2021:
New Measures for Entire Interior Health Region
Effective August 20th:
Masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces for people 12 years and older.
Low-intensity indoor group exercise is permitted up to 10 people per class. High-intensity group exercise is not permitted.
Outdoor group exercise is permitted up to 50 people per class.
Effective Monday, Aug. 23 at 8 a.m.:
Gatherings in vacation rentals are limited to five guests or one additional household.
Indoor personal gatherings are limited to 10 guests or one other household.
Outdoor personal gatherings (e.g., birthday parties, backyard BBQs, block parties) are limited to no more than 50 people.
Indoor organized gatherings are limited to no more than 50 people and outdoor organized gatherings are limited to no more than 100 people with a COVID-19 safety plan in place (e.g., weddings, funerals, seated events).
The previous orders for central Okanagan food and liquor establishments remain in place.
These measures will remain in place until the end of September, and Interior Health experiences lower cases and higher vaccination rates.
Mandatory Masking in Long-term Care, Assisted Living and Hospice Sites
Effective Aug. 18, 2021, all employees and medical staff (clinical and non-clinical) working (or entering) a long-term care, assisted living, or hospice facility must wear a medical mask at all times, until further notice.
The mask can only be removed in a non-clinical area if:
a two-metre distance can be maintained at all times, and;
the individual is in private office, or;
in an administrative area where no residents/tenants or patients are present, or;
in a break room when appropriately distanced while eating and drinking, otherwise mask should be worn.
Donning Appropriate PPE for Acute Care Settings
Mandatory masking for Acute care employees and medical staff remains in place. Please ensure you are adhering to the personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements for your workplace, as outlined in the PPE Risk Assessment Guideline and Mask Requirements Guideline.
These guidelines apply to all patient care encounters and outline the expected use of PPE and masks. Continuous masking and social distancing in areas such as breakrooms, meeting rooms and shared offices, etc. is crucial to prevent transmission among staff.
Adherence to basic infection control practices, such as hand hygiene and masking, in addition to other preventative measures such as physical distancing, staying home when sick, etc., are essential in order to reduce transmission risk of COVID-19, including variants of concern.
Vax for Yourself, Vax for BC
You can get your first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by dropping in to any IH immunization clinic or by making an appointment.
Restrictions of in-person worship services were lifted July 1, 2021!
Limited reopening of in-person service allowed as of May 27, 2021
please see the announcement from the BC Conference (includes link to the order from the provincial health officer):
Good afternoon brothers and sisters,
Our patience is being rewarded today. The PHO has announced a variance to her May 25, 2021 order which now allows indoor worship gatherings, up to 50 people. GOD IS GOOD! Link is inserted below.
Basically, we are going back to the same way it was before the indoor gatherings were not permitted. The following still apply:
Max of 50 people, no mingling before or after service
Groups of 50 can meet under the same building, provided each has a separate entrance/exit and washrooms
Masks still mandatory (only remove if you are speaking or singing from pulpit)
Social distancing (2 meters unless singing or speaking which needs to be increased to 3 meters)
Sanitizing stations
Health check to be conducted prior to arriving at the worship service
“Attendance” taken; includes names, phone or email (to be kept only for 30 days)
Musical groups no more than 5 (with social distancing)
No singing (even with masks). Only soloist or worship group can sing
Provincial Government Notice: Church closures have been extended indefinitely
Updated again April 19, 2021
Stronger province-wide restrictions
The PHO has strengthened province-wide restrictions. These restrictions came into effect March 29 at 11:59 pm and last to May 25 at midnight. They include:
The variance allowing indoor religious gatherings and worship services between March 28 and May 13 is suspended
Indoor low intensity group exercise classes are cancelled
Restaurants, pubs and bars are closed for indoor dining. Outdoor patio seating and take-out or delivery is allowed
New and amended orders and guidelines are in effect through April 19, 2021, and include:
For restaurants, bars and pubs, all food and liquor-serving premises must only provide take-out or delivery service. Dine-in service is prohibited, except for outdoor patios. People dining on patios should do so with their immediate household or core bubble.
Indoor, adult group fitness activities of any kind are also paused. Gyms and fitness centres are restricted to individual or one-on-one activities only i.e. one-on-one personal training.
The previously announced class variance for limited indoor worship services has been suspended. Outdoor worship services under the current variance may continue.
Travel continues to be limited to essential travel, work or medical reasons only. For those who have travelled outside their health region, if you or anyone in your family develops any signs of illness, you must stay home from work, school or daycare, and arrange to get tested immediately.
Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort is closed through to April 19, 2021, to address and prevent community spread related to non-essential travel.
All workers are strongly encouraged to work from home, where possible.
Public health guidance for schools has also been amended to support and encourage students down to Grade 4 to wear masks while at school.
Updated February 5th
The current orders restricting daily life and socialization in B.C. are going to stay in place indefinitely, the province announced Friday February 5th.
The orders had been set to expire at midnight. In announcing the extension, officials said B.C has made "encouraging" progress in reducing the spread of COVID-19, but the situation isn't stable enough to allow people to start getting together again.
All events are banned, along with in-person religious services, and masks must be worn in indoor public spaces.
Henry said there's a chance things might change by March, but there is no official expiry date on the extended orders.
