Fraser Valley – For the next two weeks, residents in both Fraser Health and the Vancouver Coastal Health regions are essentially, on lockdown.
At a rare Saturday afternoon press briefing, Dr. Bonnie Henry, the BC PHO Provincial Health Officer, laid down the law. The numbers back her up.
567 new BC #COVID19 cases Saturday day (411 in Fraser Health alone). Fraser Health has been leading the way ( recent) in cases including Chilliwack Schools and a Dance academy.
Effective 10PM Saturday night, no social gatherings (i.e. no visits with friends indoors) allowed in Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal until November 23. All spin classes, dance, yoga, fitness classes suspended for two weeks.
Churches can remain open, so long as they continue to abide by existing regulations.
The official Provincial PHO decree (view Dr. Henry Video below:)
PHO order on limiting social interactions
By order of the PHO, all individuals, places of work and businesses within the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions must significantly reduce social interactions.
The order is in effect from November 7, 2020 at 10:00 pm to November 23, 2020 at 12:00 pm.
Social interactions and gatherings
Socialize only with those in your immediate household. No gatherings of any size.
- Do not invite friends or family to your household
Funerals and weddings may proceed with your immediate household only.
- Funeral or wedding receptions at any location are not allowed, including reception events held at community-based venues
- This includes events of fewer than 50 people
Group physical activities
Businesses, recreation centres or other organizations that organize or operate indoor group physical activities must suspend these activities. This includes:
- Spin classes
- Yoga
- Group fitness
- Dance classes
- Any other group indoor activity that increases the respiratory rate
Indoor sports where physical distancing cannot be maintained are suspended. This includes activities like:
- Boxing
- Martial arts
- Hockey
- Volleyball
- Basketball
These activities can be replaced with individual exercise or practice that allows everyone to maintains a safe physical distance.
Indoor group physical activities can only resume when the business has updated their COVID-19 safety plan and received plan approval from their local Medical Health Officer.
Workplace safety
All businesses and worksites must conduct active daily in-person screening of all onsite workers using the COVID-19 symptom check list that is part of every business restart safety plan.
- Workplaces must ensure that all workers and customers maintain appropriate physical distance and wear masks when appropriate
- Extra care should be taken in small office spaces, break rooms and kitchens
Party-buses and limousines
Party-buses and group limousines must stop operations immediately. Resuming operations is at the discretion of the PHO and may extend beyond November 23, 2020 at 12:00 pm.
Is my community included?
The order applies to the following communities within the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions:
- Abbotsford
- Agassiz
- Burnaby
- Chilliwack
- Coquitlam
- Delta
- Howe Sound
- Langley
- Lions Bay
- Maple Ridge
- Mission
- New Westminster
- North Vancouver
- Pemberton
- Pitt Meadows
- Port Coquitlam
- Port Moody
- Powell River
- Richmond
- Sunshine Coast Regional District
- Surrey
- Squamish
- Vancouver
- West Vancouver
- Whistler
- White Rock
Exempt communities
The following communities are not included in the order:
- Central Coast Regional District
- Bella Coola Valley
- Hope
Enforcement
During a public health emergency under the Public Health Act, the PHO can make orders as needed. You must follow the orders.
Orders can be enforced by police or other compliance and enforcement officials. People who don’t follow the order could be fined.
Are they legal, Paul Dorosheno with Acumen Law in Vancouver says – YES!
