FILE PHOTO - Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Province of B.C.
January 18, 2022 - 2:08 PM
While most COVID restrictions will stay in place in B.C., gyms and fitness centres can reopen on Thursday, Jan. 20.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry updated her orders on fitness centres at a news briefing today, Jan. 18.
“Masks must be worn at all times, except when exercising when that causes challenges for some people,” Dr. Henry said, noting it’s best for people to wear masks when exercising and all staff must be masked.
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There must be a seven metre circle around each person exercising, even in groups. Pre-booking is encouraged, facilities must be properly ventilated and fans and heaters are not allowed.
While those rules have been eased, bars and nightclubs must remain closed until, at least, Feb. 16.
As well, limitations remain in place in restaurants and the 50% seating capacities in places like cinemas and sports venues remain in place.
The vaccine cards are still required as are masks in indoor venues.
Those orders were set to expire at 12:01 a.m. today, Jan. 18, but were extended yesterday until Dr. Henry could re-impose them today.
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The only new order is to allow medical health officers in health regions to direct school boards to require staff to declare their vaccination status.
While that effort has been challenged in some places, including the Central Okanagan, the orders, if imposed by the health regions, will make those demands legal, Dr. Henry said.
As of publication time, Interior Health had not confirmed if they will enforce that order.
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