BC’s gyms and fitness centres will be allowed to reopen on January 20, but only if you’re vaccinated. Occupancy limits of seven square metres per person will also be in effect..Various other restrictions, such as a ban on private gatherings like weddings and funerals, as well as the closure of bars and nightclubs will be extended until February 16..BC Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry made the announcement Tuesday afternoon..“As we know we put these orders in place as we saw the wave of Omicron coming at us,” said Henry, calling the reopening of gyms a “cautious step.”.Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 will remain in effect for access to a wide variety of settings and services in BC, with no end date in sight and the list of what unvaccinated individuals cannot do steadily increasing..“We know that this is a very important and effective tool at mitigating the risks in those many settings where the vaccine card is in play,” said Henry..“Whether you’re five, 55, or 95… get your vaccine.”.In contrast to Henry’s words, the Chief Medical Health Officer of VCH, Dr. Patricia Daly — during a September 20, 2021 staff forum — said vaccine passports are not intended to prevent transmission, but rather incentivize vaccine uptake..“The vaccine passport requires certain people to be vaccinated to do certain discretionary activities such as go to restaurants, movies, gyms… not because these places are high risk,” said Daly..“We’re not actually seeing COVID transmission in these settings, it’s really to create an incentive to improve our vaccination coverage.”.Reid Small is a BC-based reporter for the Western Standard.,rsmall@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/reidsmall
