By Laura Keil
Northern Health says it has revised regional public health orders in response to current and sustained rates of COVID-19 activity and the impact on health care resources.
The Regional Public Health Order on Gatherings and Events took effect at midnight (November 30, 2021), and includes updated measures for the entire Northern Health region.
Northern Health says changes to the order reflect the ongoing risk of COVID-19, rates of transmission, and the impact they continue to have on health care resources. But they say gradual improvement in case counts and hospitalizations are allowing for increased capacity at gatherings and events for those who are fully vaccinated.
The updated orders will be in effect until at least January 31, 2022, and allow for:
- Up to 10 fully-vaccinated people gathering inside personal residences, and up to 25 outside (increased from 5, and 15)
- Increasing capacity for indoor seated events, including weddings, funerals and theatre and performing arts events, to 50 per cent of capacity venue (increased from 50-person cap) with proof of vaccination
- Increasing outdoor event capacity to 50 per cent (increase from 100-person cap) with proof of vaccination
- Worship services allowed to be held as drive-in services, in addition to virtual options
Provincial health orders are also still in effect. To view a comparison of the regional and provincial orders go here.
Northern Health says the health authority and provincial public health officials will continue to evaluate levels of COVID-19 activity and its ongoing impacts on the health care system, individuals, and communities, leading up to the revised order’s expiry in January.
Northern Health says vaccination continues to be the best line of defence against COVID-19. There are ongoing vaccine clinic opportunities throughout the region, including for newly-eligible 5 to 11-year-olds. To find a clinic visit: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/covid-19-immunization-clinics
