13.74°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

b-c-conservatives-promise-1-000-annual-tax-cut-for-low-and-middle-income-families
BCOct 08, 2026

B.C. Conservatives Promise $1,000 Annual Tax Cut for Low- and Middle-Income Families

B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson has announced a proposed $1,000 annual provincial income-tax cut for low- and middle-income families. Speaking at a grocery store in Surrey, Doerkson said that if elected premier, his government would raise the provincial basic personal income-tax exemption to $32,000. He said this would mean British Columbians would pay no provincial income tax on their first $32,000 of income. Doerkson said a two-income household could save up to $2,000 a year under the proposal, with the money remaining in families’ pockets rather than going to the government. He al
27-year-old-charged-in-burnaby-crash-that-killed-elderly-couple
BCOct 08, 2026

27-Year-Old Charged in Burnaby Crash That Killed Elderly Couple

A 27-year-old Abbotsford man has been charged in connection with a fatal crash in Burnaby that killed an elderly couple nearly two years ago. According to Burnaby RCMP, the crash occurred on December 21, 2024, at Boundary Road and Forest Street, where two vehicles collided and one vehicle struck the other from the side. A 67-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man, who were travelling in the same vehicle, died at the scene. Following an investigation that lasted nearly two years, the RCMP’s Criminal Collision Investigation Team determined that charges were warranted. The B.C. Prosecution Servic
eby-pledges-to-freeze-icbc-insurance-rates-for-another-three-years
BCOct 08, 2026

Eby Pledges to Freeze ICBC Insurance Rates for Another Three Years

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby has promised to freeze ICBC insurance rates for another three years if his party is re-elected. Speaking during a campaign stop in Richmond, Eby said the move would mean B.C. drivers would go a total of 10 years without facing additional increases in their vehicle insurance rates. Eby credited his government’s no-fault insurance reforms for helping move B.C. from having some of the most expensive auto insurance in Canada to among the most affordable. He also criticized B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson, warning that insurance rates could double again if the Co
bill-c-39-faces-vote-in-house-of-commons-amid-strike-powers-controversy
BCOct 08, 2026

Bill C-39 Faces Vote in House of Commons Amid Strike Powers Controversy

Canada’s House of Commons is set to vote today on the federal government’s controversial Bill C-39, which aims to fast-track approvals for major projects. The bill has drawn criticism over a provision that would amend Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, giving the Labour Minister the power to intervene in an ongoing strike by citing the national interest. NDP parliamentary leader Don Davies has called the bill an attack on workers’ and Indigenous rights, as well as environmental protections. He said he is concerned about a growing trend of power being concentrated in the hands of cabi
BCOct 08, 2026

Vancouver Advance Voting Sets New Daily Record as 25,142 Voters Cast Ballots

Vancouver’s municipal election advance voting has set a new daily record, with 25,142 people casting their ballots on Wednesday, the second day of advance voting. According to preliminary figures released by the City of Vancouver, it was the highest number of advance votes recorded in a single day in the city’s history. The previous record was set just four days earlier, on Oct. 3, when 21,824 voters cast their ballots on the first day of advance voting. In comparison, only 10,502 people voted on the second day of advance voting during Vancouver’s 2022 municipal election. This year’s f

Related News