Dr. Bonnie Henry

Elders in British Columbia care homes will soon be able to socialize and receive visits from loved ones after being locked down by COVID-19 for more than a year.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the benefits of lifting some of the restrictions outweigh the risks to the elderly, who have had little interaction with family or friends since the pandemic began.

Starting April 1st, residents in long-term care and assisted-living facilities will be able to have frequent and routine visits.

The rule changes include allowing two visitors, plus a child, at one time -- and they're allowed to gather in the resident's room without staff present.

Dr. Henry says physical touching will also be allowed, as long as infection prevention, like masks and handwashing, are in place.

Dr. Henry says because the most vulnerable people have received a vaccine, it's safe to change the rules to give them a greater chance to connect with the people they love.

The province is reporting 800 new cases of COVID-19 as well as five additional deaths.

That's the highest number of new cases in one day since November.

The province also identified 191 new cases of more infectious COVID-19 variants, bringing the total to 1,772.

The number of active cases increased to 5,856, with 306 in hospital, including 79 in intensive care.