By James Peters

COVID-19

COVID-19 restrictions eased for Interior Health; vaccination mandated for B.C. healthcare workers

Sep 13, 2021 | 3:45 PM

VANCOUVER — With the B.C. COVID-19 vaccine card program in effect as of Monday (Sept. 13), the provincial government is allowing Interior Health (IH) residents a return to closer-to-normal.

In a news conference Monday afternoon, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced additional restrictions put in place August 20 in IH have been eased for those businesses and facilities using the B.C. vaccine card. Residents will still need to abide by province-wide restrictions — such as a mask mandate in all indoor, public places — and will need to provide a proof-of-vaccination for access to certain non-essential activities.

Henry also announced two-dose vaccination is being made a condition of employment in B.C. healthcare sector, including for those who work in home and community settings.

“This includes all workers, students, physicians, residents, contractors and volunteers who work in a healthcare facility, including contracted facilities which are accessible to patients and where they receive services,” Henry said.

Henry’s order comes into effect on Oct. 26. Healthcare workers can request exemptions of the provincial health ministry.

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As a third announcement, Henry noted the province will provide a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for those who are immuno-compromised, including organ transplant recipients and those undergoing active cancer treatment.

“The group of people we’re talking about are people who have had solid organ transplants, people who are being actively treated for hematologic cancers and lymphoma, people who have taken anti-CD20 medications or B-cell-depleting agents,” she said.