16.71°C Vancouver

Mar 12, 2021 2:59 AM -

Dr. Bonnie Henry is easing restrictions on outdoor gatherings in B.C.

Share On
dr-bonnie-henry-is-easing-restrictions-on-outdoor-gatherings-in-b-c
B.C.’s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry during a news conference in Victoria. (B.C. Government)

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is easing restrictions on outdoor gatherings but keeping them in place for those indoors.

Dr. Henry says up to 10 people will now be allowed to gather outdoors but people should stick to the same group and continue to follow public safety measures such as social distancing.

She says other restrictions need to remain in place because COVID-19 is still circulating in communities, particularly in the Lower Mainland.

Dr. Henry also announced bars and restaurants must stop selling liquor at 8 pm on St. Patrick's Day.

B.C. reports 569 new cases of COVID-19

BC is reporting 569 new cases of COVID-19 today and three more deaths.

That pushes the death toll since the pandemic began a year ago to 1,397.

The province has just over 4,900 cases that are still active.

244 people remain in hospital.

Health officials release new modelling data

New modelling released today vaccinations were about 80 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 infections in residents and staff at long-term care homes in BC.

Data presented by health officials indicates there were "substantial declines" in infections among both groups in the first few weeks after receiving a vaccine dose.

The research was conducted from mid-December through mid-February when there was an overall decline in new daily cases.

But it showed there was a greater drop among vaccinated health care workers and seniors than the general population.

Latest news

30-year-old-womans-death-in-fort-st-james-deemed-suspicious-rcmp-investigating
BCSep 16, 2026

30-Year-Old Woman’s Death in Fort St. James Deemed Suspicious, RCMP Investigating

The B.C. RCMP’s Major Crime Unit is investigating the death of a 30-year-old woman in Fort St. James as suspicious. The woman has been identified as Dayna Monk, and investigators are appealing to the public for information that could assist with the case. According to Fort St. James RCMP, emergency health services were called to a home in the 400-block of Stuart Drive on May 31 following reports that a woman was experiencing cardiac arrest. Despite resuscitation efforts, the woman could not be saved. Initial investigations did not indicate any criminal involvement in her death. However, foll
david-eby-instructs-ndp-to-be-ready-for-the-election
BCSep 16, 2026

David Eby Instructs NDP to Be Ready for the Election

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he has told NDP legislators to be “election ready” amid the disruption caused by the ongoing trade war with the United States. Eby said Cheryl Oates, his former acting chief of staff, will manage the NDP’s campaign for the next provincial election whenever it is called. However, he did not announce any date for the vote. The premier said he has informed both Elections B.C. and the NDP caucus that they need to be prepared for an election. His comments come as the Opposition B.C. Conservatives face internal changes, with nine members having left the
surrey-mayor-brenda-locke-slams-release-of-high-risk-offenders
BCSep 16, 2026

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke Slams Release of High-Risk Offenders

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has expressed strong concern after two high-risk offenders were released into the city within just two days. Following a public warning issued by the Surrey Police Service, Locke said violent offenders such as Jonathan Muzichka and Skyler Pelletier should not be released to live in Surrey. She said Surrey is home to more than 700,000 people and allowing high-risk offenders to repeatedly settle in the community raises serious concerns about public safety. Locke said she supports rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, but the responsibility of managing high-risk
poilievre-calls-on-carney-to-clarify-canada-eu-talks
BCSep 16, 2026

Poilievre Calls on Carney to Clarify Canada-EU Talks

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to clarify discussions surrounding Canada’s potential associate membership, special alliance or any other proposed arrangement with the European Union. Poilievre said the Conservative Party’s position is clear: it fully supports Canada’s decades-old free trade relationship and NATO alliance with Europe, but strongly opposes imposing any European taxes, laws or open-border immigration policies on Canadians. He said Canada is an independent, sovereign country and that these principles cannot be compromised. Meanw
BCSep 16, 2026

North Island College Campus Attack Leaves Two Injured

An attack at North Island College’s Comox Valley campus in British Columbia has left two people injured. Police said they received multiple reports of an attack involving a sharp weapon inside a college residence building at around 12:53 a.m. Front-line officers who arrived at the scene found two young people injured and arrested a suspect after identifying him. Comox Valley RCMP Constable Monica Terragni said the suspect is a 21-year-old man from Burnaby who remains in custody. The two injured victims were taken to hospital and are reportedly in stable condition. Police said the motive behi

Related News