Province introduces more COVID-19 restrictions amidst Omicron surge
VICTORIA – The provincial health officer Dr Bonnie Henry has implemented additional measures to address rising COVID-19 case counts that could result in increased hospitalizations and critical care admissions and the potential to overstress the health-care system. The restrictions are announced as BC is recorded highest Covid 19 casesfor 2 consecutive days with over 1400 infections, since the start of the pandemic. But along with heath care system, small businesses will be hard hit again once again. Just when the business owners saw some light at the end of the tunnel, hoping to breath again with the beginning of holiday season, they got a major setback with these new restrictions in place.
Business organizations across the province are asking for more support from the provincial government. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) said in a statement that it was “worried about the survival of BC businesses that are once again going to have to shut down or severely restrict their operations with little notice or adequate government supports.
“BC small businesses have not returned to normal sales and are taking on huge debt amounts simply to survive. Only 37 per cent of BC small businesses have returned to normal sales and over one-third (35%) are losing money every day they are open. These new restrictions and closures are going to hit small businesses hard when they are in survival mode and relying on a strong finish to the holiday season,” CFIB’s statement read.
It stated that, “CFIB recognizes the government has committed to providing support to businesses, but sadly there are no further details when business owners can expect to apply and what funding will be available. We urge the BC government to get these supports in place as soon as possible and press the federal government to return its support programs to a sliding scale for all businesses with revenue losses.”
Anita Huberman, President & CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade said that though the restrictions come from the provincial government, “but we need both the federal and provincial governments to immediately implement business supports that are easily accessible such as the wage subsidy program.”
“In order to preserve some sort of economic certainty, governments must concurrently roll out business support measures when new restrictions are announced,” she added.
Revised provincial health officer orders took effect on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.
The restrictions will extend to Jan. 18, 2022, at 11:59 p.m., and include:
* no organized indoor social events and gatherings of any size;
* concerts, sports games and theatres reduced to 50% seated capacity, regardless of venue size;
* closing gyms, fitness centres and dance studios;
* closing bars and nightclubs; and
* limiting table sizes at restaurants, cafes and pubs to a maximum of six people per table with physical distancing or barriers.
These restrictions are in addition to the revised orders that took effect on Monday, Dec. 20 which mentioned indoor gatherings to be restricted to 10 people plus household.
The Ministry of Health is postponing non-urgent scheduled surgeries starting Jan. 4, 2022, to manage pressure on acute care facilities. Urgent and emergency surgeries will continue, and rescheduling will be determined through continuous monitoring of capacity and COVID-19 impacts throughout January and on a regional basis.
“COVID-19 cases continue to increase at a concerning rate, and we must take stronger measures to help protect British Columbians and ensure our health-care system is there when people need it,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “It’s a critical time in our fight against COVID-19. Now is the time for us to act, and to work together to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep our loved ones safe.”
Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, said: “I know everyone is looking forward to being around their family and friends this holiday season after two challenging years. These restrictions balance the need for people to come together with the people they love with the need to collectively act to slow the spread of COVID-19. We know how to get through this – by following the same measures we’ve followed in the past to protect each other.”
In addition to the provincial health officer’s orders, British Columbians are advised to get fully vaccinated if they have not already done so, to get their booster shot as soon as one is offered, to stay home if they are sick, to avoid all travel if not fully vaccinated and to follow the travel advisory issued by the federal government to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada.
The updated orders will be enacted under the Public Health Act.
