B.C. issues regional public health order for parts of Fraser Valley
Posted September 28, 2021 1:17 pm.
Last Updated September 28, 2021 6:08 pm.
ABBOTSFORD (NEWS 1130) — The province’s latest crackdown will affect Abbotsford, Hope, Chilliwack, Agassiz, Mission, and Harrison starting Tuesday.
B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, announced the latest order following “a notable rise in cases in schools.”
Henry says affected leaders in the Fraser Valley communities were consulted about the order as COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in the area.
“Particularly people who are not yet vaccinated, and that is now putting a strain on our hospitals, whether it’s the Chilliwack hospital that just had an outbreak, Abbotsford Hospital and the hospitals across Fraser Health. [That] means that not only are people with COVID having challenges and stressing our ICU, but people with other conditions are having surgeries postponed or not able to get the care they need.
“We need to take action now to increase in vaccination rates, and to reduce the transmission rates in those high-risk settings in our community.”
‘Keeping our bubbles small’
Private gatherings in homes are now limited to five additional people or one other household.
“This is where we know that if we are coming together, particularly indoors where this transmission can happen very quickly and rapidly with the Delta virus that we’re seeing transmitted right now. We can mitigate that by being fully vaccinated,” Henry said.
Outdoor gatherings of 10 people are allowed unless everyone is fully vaccinated.
Organized events (eg. weddings or conferences) are limited to 10 people inside or 50 outside unless everyone has received two vaccine doses.
Events will need to keep a contact list of guests in addition to having their COVID safety plans in place.
Outdoor adult sports will be limited to 50 participants unless everyone is fully vaccinated.
In addition to workplaces’ COVID safety plan, a mask requirement is also in place. If people in the workplace are behind a barrier, in a room by themselves, or are able to maintain a safe physical distance, a mask is not needed.
NEW: starting today in Fraser east
Stepping up covid safetly plans in workplaces – including that masks must be worn in all inside spaces unless behind barrier, in separate space or at enough of a distance from others.#bcpoli @NEWS1130 #covid19— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) September 28, 2021
Vaccine card update
People in these Fraser Valley communities now have to prove they have received two COVID-19 vaccine doses with the official B.C. Vaccine Card in order to access some events, services, and businesses.
The rest of the province only has to provide proof of one dose until Oct. 24.
This includes all ticketed events, including movies, plays and ticketed sports events and all indoor adult sports/fitness facilities (including gyms and high/low-intensity fitness).
