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March 25, 2020 - 6:30 PM
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry tried to make a further clarification today about obligations for social distancing, particularly around gatherings.
While gatherings of up to 50 people are technically allowed, she said no one should be in groups that large.
"Even groups of 10, even groups of 20, small groups even two or three can sometimes be that transmission point," Henry told a press conference.
The doctor said there was no science behind limiting gathering to 50 people, but it was done in other places and was a reasonable number where people could maintain distance from each other.
"This is not an order of convenience, this is something that is required to protect people and we know that 50 is not an absolute number it is the maximum," she said. "But... smaller is better."
Although she wasn't entirely clear, she seemed to suggest it was kept at 50 because life must bring us together for important occasions, at times. She has referenced religious gatherings and funerals, for example, as well as the need to be "flexible" but implored religious and community leaders to find ways to help maintain social distance.
"We're not talking about workplaces and areas where people live... we're talking about gathering, about having people over to your home, about gathering together in the park," she said. "These are things that right now we can't be doing."
Henry said people need to connect virtually to have a safe space between them.
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