UPDATE: Provincial health officer relaxes strict COVID restrictions in Interior Health

Despite concerns about the new Omicron variant showing up in B.C., the social gathering restrictions in the Interior Health region have been repealed as of midnight tonight.

That means the rules on things like sports or social events that apply in much of B.C. now apply throughout the Interior Health region, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced at a news briefing today, Nov. 30.

That means that, while proof of vaccination is needed for indoor public events with more than 50 people, such events can be at full occupancy rather than at 50%. Masks are still required for such events. Maximum capacity for outdoor events is 5,000.

READ MORE: B.C. government workers vaccinated at higher rate than province as a whole

It also means there are no size restrictions on personal gatherings in private homes and vacation accommodations, but it is recommended that such gatherings be kept small and being outdoors is safer.

Details on provincial restrictions can be seen here.

Restrictions will remain in place, for now, in the Northern Health region and Fraser Valley East.

New restrictions were imposed throughout B.C. on faith gatherings, given concerns about the new variant, so that masks must be worn during services and capacities will be limited to 50% or 50 people unless they are all vaccinated.

 — This article was updated at 4:50 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, to add more details from Interior Health.

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