Clarification on new B.C. provincial health orders says people who live alone in Metro Vancouver are exempt from a complete ban on household guests.
This weekend, to address a dramatic increase in the region's COVID-19 cases, Dr. Bonnie Henry banned indoor and outdoor social gatherings and group physical activities – other than with members of your immediate household.
But for those who live alone, there's a different set of rules.
They "can continue to see members of what they would consider their immediate household at home, outside or at a restaurant,” Vancouver Coastal Health said in a tweet Sunday night.
Those who live alone cannot host gatherings, but can continue to see members of what they would consider their immediate household at home, outside or at a restaurant.
— Vancouver Coastal Health (@VCHhealthcare) November 9, 2020
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Henry explained following the announcement Saturday, “It’s very challenging for those who live alone, and yes, those are where you can have those very small number of people in your bubble.”
“So, it means if you do have one or two people that you’re close with, that you’re considering your family, your bubble, your household, then stick to those people.”
The ban is in effect for those who live in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions, with the exception of the Central Coast and Bella Coola Valley – until Nov. 23.
Effective tonight, 10pm to Nov 23, 3pm, new PHO orders are in place for all individuals, places of work & businesses across communities in the Fraser Health & Vancouver Coastal Health authorities, focusing on: social gatherings, group physical activities, & workplace safety.
— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) November 7, 2020
“The order restricts social gatherings in your home and outdoors, and while you can see other people in a restaurant, keep it small – we need to reduce our social interactions as much as possible,” Vancouver Coastal Health clarified.
Henry says it’s to “give us a chance to stop transmission” of the virus.
