DAWSON CREEK -- Health officials are implementing more restrictions in Northern B.C. to combat lower vaccination rates and increasing cases of COVID-19.

The announcement came from Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry in Thursday’s provincial COVID-19 update.

“We’re doing this to stop transmission where it is greatest and that is indoor gatherings where we’re coming together, Where we’re not necessarily wearing masks, where we’re mixing with unvaccinated people, and this is where we’re seeing spread,” said Henry.

New Northern Health Orders:

  • All gatherings (indoor/outdoor) – restricted to fully vaccinated people  
  • If you or a household member is unvaccinated, you must stay with people in your household
  • Indoor personal gatherings limited to 5 people (everyone must be fully vaccinated)
  • Outdoor personal gathering limited to 25 people (everyone must be fully vaccinated)
  • Organized indoor and outdoor events (ie: weddings, parties) – requires proof of vaccination and masks for all guests.  
  • Organized indoor events limited to 25 people
  • Organized outdoor events limited to 100 people
  • Worship services now forbidden, virtual-only
  • Alcohol service at restaurants will stop at 10.00 p.m.
  • Bars and Nightclubs temporarily closed, unless meal service is provided, alcohol service stops at 10:00 p.m.
  • Sporting events limited to 50% capacity for spectators – attendees must wear masks and show proof of full vaccination

The local health areas west of Kitwanga are exempt from the additional restrictions, including Terrace, Hidagui, Prince Rupert, Stikine, Telegraph Creek, Snow Country and the Nisga Area.

Dr. Henry didn’t limit travel, but strongly encourages residents to stay within their community.

Additional restrictions will start at midnight on October 14th and are set to last until Friday November 19th.

The doctor says the Delta variant is spreading quickly with a small amount of exposure.

“We are seeing it cause more severe illness in younger people,” Henry said.

Unvaccinated people in their teens, 20s, 30s and 40s who are not vaccinated, are ending up in hospital, she added. 

“Today tragically we had a young person in their 20’s die from COVID in the North.”

To date, 58 patients have been transferred by plane out of Northern Health to receive care in other areas of the province.

“All of them very ill,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix.

“We are doing everything we can to support the north and we will continue to do that, we also need to ask people in the north to do more.”