No holiday gatherings allowed in B.C. as COVID-19 restrictions extended into January

B.C.'s provincial health officer extended the ban on social gatherings for another month on Monday, curtailing large holiday gatherings and New Year's parties.

Residents must continue to onlysocialize with people in their household until midnight Jan.8, Dr. Bonnie Henry saidMonday,as the province recorded 35 more deaths related to COVID-19 and2,020 new cases over a three-day period.

People who live alone can continue to see one or two people.

The extension also bansoutdoor gatherings, meaning groups can't meet in backyards or parks. Walks with one personare still allowed.

All events are also banned until that time, although Henry has created a new exemption for drive-in and drive-through events, allowing toy drives, Christmas light shows and drive-in movies for a maximum of 50 vehicles.

Other restrictions will continue indefinitely, including a ban on in-person faith services, high-intensity group fitness classes and adult team sports.

The province is still asking people to avoid all non-essential travel, including travel between health regions and into and out of the province.

Henry said the restrictions put in place earlier this month are starting to work, but the province can't afford a rebound of cases and a resultingsurge in hospitalizations.

"We are not yet through this stormand we can not let up now," she said.

There was also some hope: Henry said B.C. expects to receive a "small amount" of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine next week.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday morning thatup to 249,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be available in Canadabefore the end of the year shots primarily set aside for long-term care home residents and the people working there.

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Henry said she intends to provide a more detailed vaccine roll-out later this week, alongside Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Ross Brown, who is leading the province's vaccinationefforts.

The latest reporting period for new cases announced Monday spanned three days and included: 647 cases between Friday and Saturday, 726 cases between Saturday and Sunday, and 647 cases between Sunday and Monday.

The province has 9,380 active cases. A total of 359 people are in hospital, with 77 people in intensive care.

The death tollstands at 527.

Henry reported six new outbreaks and five thatare declared over. Outbreaks persist at 57 long-term care homes and eight acute-care facilities.

'You must say no to the party'

B.C.'sannouncementcrystallized the fears of many that this year's holidays will look very different from previous ones.

Travel plans and family gatherings have beenup in the airfor weeksas residentsawaited word from the province. On Monday, Henry's directive was clear.

"If you're used to having large dinners with multiple family members, you need to do it remotely," she said.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says it's especially important to follow the rules right now because progress is starting to be made:

'Say no to the party this year,' Dr. Bonnie Henry urges

4 years ago

Duration 1:49

B.C.'s provincial health officer has extended the ban on social gatherings until Jan. 8, 2021, saying the holiday celebrations must look different this year.

Henry added her orders will make it OK for people to turn down invites.

"You can say no to travelling. You can say no to having gatherings with people outside your household."

The province recommends that people hold virtual parties and religious services, and unwrap gifts over video-conferencing.

Dix acknowledged this December will be a difficult holiday.

"That doesn't mean that wewon't be able to celebrate," he said."We'll just have to create new and special memories and build new traditions."

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Henry said the idea of closing schools early for the holidays was also discussed, but it was decided the downside forchildrenwould be greater than the health risk.

The winter break will be held as usual between Dec. 21 andJan. 1.