Following new COVID-19 restrictions in Ontario and Quebec, British Columbia has become the latest province to implement new rules on gatherings in response to the quick spread of the Omicron variant.
UPDATE (12/21, 5:35 p.m. ET): British Columbia has tightened restrictions once again. All nightclubs and bars will closed, while all seated events (including concerts and movies) will move to 50 percent capacity regardless of size. The restrictions come into effect on Wednesday (December 22).
Like in Ontario, large venues with a capacity of more than 1,000 are being reduced to 50 percent capacity. Also similar to Ontario, venues will need to begin to start scanning QR codes when checking vaccine passports, rather than simply doing a visual inspection. Organized events of all sizes will now need to require proof of vaccination (previously, events with less than 50 guests were exempt). Organized new year's eve gatherings of all sizes are being cancelled.
Other rules include: private indoor gatherings will be limited to 10 guests or one other household, and everyone must be vaccinated; households with an occupant who is unvaccinated cannot hold gatherings; and restaurant guests cannot mingle between tables.
These measures come into place on Monday (December 20) and are scheduled to remain in place through January.
Read a list of the many concerts that have been newly cancelled here.
UPDATE (12/21, 5:35 p.m. ET): British Columbia has tightened restrictions once again. All nightclubs and bars will closed, while all seated events (including concerts and movies) will move to 50 percent capacity regardless of size. The restrictions come into effect on Wednesday (December 22).
Like in Ontario, large venues with a capacity of more than 1,000 are being reduced to 50 percent capacity. Also similar to Ontario, venues will need to begin to start scanning QR codes when checking vaccine passports, rather than simply doing a visual inspection. Organized events of all sizes will now need to require proof of vaccination (previously, events with less than 50 guests were exempt). Organized new year's eve gatherings of all sizes are being cancelled.
Other rules include: private indoor gatherings will be limited to 10 guests or one other household, and everyone must be vaccinated; households with an occupant who is unvaccinated cannot hold gatherings; and restaurant guests cannot mingle between tables.
These measures come into place on Monday (December 20) and are scheduled to remain in place through January.
Read a list of the many concerts that have been newly cancelled here.