Dr. Henry introduces restrictions including banning indoor dining at bars and restaurants, describes the move as a "circuit breaker"

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is banning indoor dining at bars and restaurants and indoor activity at fitness centres for three weeks starting at midnight.

Dr. Henry describes the move as a "circuit breaker" amid concerns that more infectious variants are driving "exponential growth" of COVID-19 cases.

She says the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort will also be closed until at least April 19th as cases spread in the community.

Dr. Henry has also reintroduced restrictions on indoor religious services that she just announced would ease last week.

Social activities need to be limited to outside only with the same group of people – that means no more than 10 close contacts in total.

Dr. Henry said, "We have also seen transmission directly connected to travel between communities and remind everyone travel is limited to essential travel only – for work or medical reasons.

If you or anyone in your family develops any signs of illness – especially as children return from spring break – you must stay home from work or school and arrange to get tested immediately.