Not all restrictions for residents in Interior Health have been lifted

While the B.C. Vaccine Card is now being phased in and some restrictions have been eased in the Interior Health region, there are still limitations on what people can do that others in B.C. can.

The Interior Health region is the only part of the province where people are limited to five guests or one household visiting within their homes.

Vacation rentals within the region have the same limit.

And outdoor personal events, like barbeques or birthday parties, are limited to 50 people.

There are no such limits in the rest of the province.

“These measures will remain in place until Interior Health experiences lower cases and higher vaccination rates,” an Interior Health news release states.

A COVID-19 outbreak was declared in the Central Okanagan on July 28 and new rules were put in place for the region. That was later expanded to the entire health region as case numbers increased while vaccination uptake was lower. Some of those restrictions were lifted yesterday. Restaurants, for example, were not allowed to serve liquor after 10 p.m. That restriction has now been lifted. High-intensity fitness classes were also prohibited at that time but are now allowed.

READ MORE: COVID-19 outbreak declared in Central Okanagan, masking ordered for all indoor spaces

From Aug. 29 to Sept. 4 there were 1,714 new COVID-19 cases recorded in the Interior Health region, including 478 in the Central Okanagan, 249 in Kamloops, 169 in Vernon and 69 in Penticton.

That compares to only 101 in the last week of June for the entire Interior Health Region.

Most of those restrictions were expanded to the rest of the Interior Health region on Aug. 20.

READ MORE: COVID restrictions expanded throughout Interior Health region

Throughout the province, masks must still be worn in indoor public spaces and proof of vaccination has to be shown in restaurants and other indoor venues.

READ MORE: Here’s how to get your B.C. COVID-19 vaccination card

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