BC extends gathering and events restrictions to February 5

UPDATE February 8, 2021: This order was amended February 5, 2021.  The gathering and events portions of the order were due to expire February 5, 2021 at midnight.  They have now been extended indefinitely.

Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that BC’s Gathering and Events Order will be extended. Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley have been under these restrictions since November 7, 2020; the restrictions were applied to the remainder of the Province on November 22, 2020.  They have been extended and amended on December 29, January 8 and February 5.  The restrictions are in effect indefinitely – until Dr. Bonnie Henry, the Provincial Health Officer, revises her Public Health Order.

The original order made November 7 and revised November 21, prohibited events (including films, performances, benefits, religious services, adult group indoor sport, high intensity exercise) and gatherings beyond those with members of one’s own household across B.C.  Work and other essential meetings are still permitted but must operate under appropriate COVID-19 Safety Plans or COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plans.  Travel for sport is also specifically not allowed (except for high-performance athletes).  Non-essential travel is highly discouraged.  Travel for work is considered essential but British Columbians are encouraged to work from home wherever possible.

The Order had been amended effective December 24, 2020 (and published on the B.C. government’s website on December 29, 2020), to include restrictions on retailers (see section “L” on pages 20 and 21 of the order) limiting retailers. The order requires that retailers must:

• Limit the capacity in their store to one person per five square metres of “unencumbered space” in “the part of the place to which the public has access”.
• Document the occupancy limit in their COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan.
• Ensure the capacity does not exceed the occupancy limit.
• Where practical, take measures that customers maintain two metre distance, such as two metre distance indicators or signs, to guide customers waiting in line, or for any other purpose.
• Where practical, clearly mark entrances and exits, and use one-way signage or arrows on the floor to guide patrons in moving in one direction.
• Where practical, post or erect signs advising customers to move in one direction, keep moving, and avoid congestion at the end of aisles; and make hand sanitizer options readily available for customers.

The retail provisions are in effect indefinitely. Failing to comply with the Public Health Order could result in a $2,300 per instance fine (and/or WorkSafeBC orders) for businesses, hosts or organizers, $230 for customers or attendees per incident.  Courts can impose fines up to $10,000 and/or one-year imprisonment for egregious offences.

For further information, please contact Greg Wilson (gwilson@retailcouncil.org) or Avery Bruenjes (abruenjes@retailcouncil.org).