COVID-infected workplaces to be shut down, as B.C. sees record-breaking cases

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – B.C. is bringing in a new measure to shut down businesses with COVID-19 outbreaks and reduce transmission in workplaces.

Starting Monday, when three or more employees test positive at a single workplace and it is determined there is transmission within the setting, the health authority can shut it down for 10 days or longer. WorkSafeBC will serve the closure notice on its behalf.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says in larger workplaces, the closure may be limited to the locations where transmission actually took place.

“One of those places where we see this is construction sites. It may just be one team and the construction site that may need to be off for a period of time,” she explained.

NOTE businesses closed will be on public list along with the date they will be reopened.
DBH saying the goal is to control/prevent outbreaks and not have to shut everyone down.#bcpoli @news1130 #covid19

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) April 8, 2021

Henry notes some essential industries — such as those in policing, firefighting, health care, and transportation — cannot close.

Businesses that are shut down will be named on a public list, which will include the date of re-opening.

“We’ll be working with business over the next couple of days so I know the, what’s the effect of the order, and the fact that we believe that this targeted approach will help them deal with cases of the transmission of COVID-19, should it arrive workplaces, and obviously, to reduce transmission for all of British Columbia,” B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said.

B.C. reports a record number of COVID-19 cases

B.C. has marked a sombre record with Thursday’s COVID case count.

The province is reporting 1,293 new cases and two deaths in the past day.

BC #covid19 Apr 8
1 new outbreak, 1 over
LTC/Actute 4/7
VACCINE:
995001 vaccine doses
Thats 48905 since yesterday – an all time high#bcpoli @news1130

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) April 8, 2021

On the vaccine front, 985,001 doses have been administered so far.

British Columbians aged 65 and up (born in 1956 or earlier) can register to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Indigenous people aged 18 and up (born in 2003 or earlier), as well as those deemed clinically extremely vulnerable are also eligible.

Click here for more information.