By Chad Klassen

NEW COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Province closes down bars, nightclubs, fitness centres as precaution around Omicron variant

Dec 21, 2021 | 1:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — B.C.’s top doctor says since implementing province-wide restrictions, which officially came into effect on Monday (Dec. 20), much has changed in relation to the Omicron variant.

As a result, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced on Tuesday (Dec. 21) a series of new restrictions that will shut down bars and nightclubs, dance studios and fitness centres starting at midnight (Dec. 22).

Dr. Henry says Omicron has shown a tendency to be more transmissible compared to the Delta variant, and it can reinfect people who have already contracted COVID-19, including people who are vaccinated.

The province is also attempting to get ahead of Omicron spread to protect potential impacts on hospitals.

NEW RESTRICTIONS
– No indoor gatherings of any size (weddings, receptions, celebratory events).
– Bars and nightclubs closed.
– Gyms and fitness centres closed.
– Dance studios closed.
– Maximum six per table at restaurants, pubs and cafes.

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The new restrictions are scheduled to be in place until Jan. 18. Previous restrictions, including cancelled tournaments, are set to last until Jan. 31.

RAPID TESTING
The provincial government also announced on Tuesday the expansion of rapid testing across B.C. The province is expecting 200,000 rapid tests from the federal government by the end of the year. In addition, Dr. Henry says the province has purchase 500,000 rapid tests that are expected to arrive in late December.

The country is also scheduled to receive another 84 million rapid tests from five different manufacturers. B.C. has requested about 11 million of the tests and Dr. Henry hopes about seven million tests will be distributed to different health authorities. 500,000 tests will be deployed to public schools to keep students and teachers safe during in-person learning. Another half a million rapid tests will be allocated for universities like Thompson Rivers University.

According to Dr. Henry, the province has received more than 3.1 million tests and distributed about 1.2 million to long-term care facilities, Indigenous communities and various businesses.

COVID-19 BOOSTER CAMPAIGN
To date, the province says 727,761 booster shots have been administered, including 67 per cent of people older than 70 years old. About 65,000 healthcare workers have received their booster.

CANCELLED SURGERIES
Non-urgent scheduled surgeries are postponed until Jan. 4 as the province tries to provide enough hospital capacity while concerns about the Omicron variant rise.