As sunshine draws many outdoors, province reminds people there are still COVID restrictions

As the west coast enjoys a cloudless week of warm weather, many are getting outdoors to soak up the sun this weekend.

People flocked to beaches all over Greater Victoria, paddleboarding, playing games and tanning.

Right now, being outdoors is one of the only ways we can legally gather with friends as B.C. rides its third wave of COVID-19.

While the province’s health minister, Adrian Dix says, for the time being, gathering outdoors is the only place to see friends, it’s not without limits

“Let’s be very clear. Indoor activities are where we’re seeing transmission,” said Dix. “We can only socialize within our household and in a very limited way outdoors.”

In B.C., a maximum of 10 people can meet outdoors, but they have to be the same 10 people and they should be physically distanced.

The sunbeams aren’t just shining on Vancouver Island, the mainland is also seeing bustling beaches this weekend.

In Vancouver, Park Rangers patrol public beaches, making sure everyone sticks to their small bubbles.

Vancouver’s lead Park Ranger Christ Penton says, for the most part, there are only groups of two or four and people are keeping their distance.

“I have seen some line ups and people in gathering in some groups, gathering for a short amount of time, talking to each other probably bumping into friends, which can be a problem if they spend too much time together,” said Penton.

For now, there’s been no word on if — or when — police or bylaw will be patrolling Victoria’s beaches. But you can still get outside, and safely soak in the West Coast.

rlawrence@cheknews.ca

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