Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer has ordered that all households must limit gatherings to no more than your immediate household (people living at a home) plus a maximum of six others.
This means that all households cannot have more than six people visit at one time. For example, if you have five people living in your household, a maximum of 11 people are allowed in the home at one time.
The order applies to all gatherings hosted at households, like a large dinner party, celebration of life, wedding or baby shower.
- This includes both indoor and outdoor gatherings
- Gatherings in private homes often do not allow for the necessary space and do not have cleaning protocols to ensure the overall safety of residents and visitors
People of all ages are included in the six person limit. For example:
- Six adults
- Four adults and two kids
- Two adults, two kids and two babies
In addition, Dr. Henry has strengthened her guidance around the wearing of masks. It is now the expectation that everyone will wear a mask in all indoor public places. Bowen Island Municipality has already implemented this policy in all of our facilities, and it is already mandatory on public transit such as TransLink buses and BC Ferries.
BIM encourages everyone to continue doing their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by taking the measures recommended by public health:
- If you are sick, stay home. No exceptions.
- If you are returning from travel outside of Canada, you must self-isolate (stay home) for 14 days.
- Keep your social bubble small. Be mindful of those in your bubble who may be at higher risk of serious illness.
- Limit gatherings in your household to members of your household plus no more than six people from your "safe six".
- Physical distancing: stay at least 2 m or six feet away from anyone outside of your bubble.
- Good hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing (such as coughing into your elbow or using a tissue); avoid touching your face; keep spaces clean.
- Wear a non-medical mask in spaces where safe physical distance cannot be maintained.
- If you think you have symptoms, self-isolate immediately. Call 8-1-1 or use this online tool for an assessment, and follow the advice on what to do.
Read the provincial order
