Dr. Bonnie Henry ‘actively reviewing’ possible changes to public health orders: Dix

Dr. Bonnie Henry 'actively reviewing' possible changes to public health orders: Dix
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B.C.’s top doctor is “actively reviewing” possible changes to current public health orders in the face of increasing COVID-19 case counts and the spread of the Omicron variant, according to Health Minister Adrian Dix.

Dix provided the update in a 4 p.m. news conference Wednesday, after the federal government rolled out a new advisory cautioning against non-essential international travel due to the spread of Omicron.

The province has been seeing large clusters of COVID-19 cases, mostly of the Delta variant and “particularly in Vancouver Coastal Health” in the last few days, Dix told reporters Wednesday.

Some of the surge is attributed to large, informal social gatherings, he said, adding that Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is actively reviewing any changes in orders to address the spiking case counts, including whether indoor capacity limits may be reintroduced.

“Dr. Henry and regional medical officers of health are meeting actively on all these points, and obviously those issues, the issue of capacity limits, the issue of the vaccine card…those issues are all under active consideration by public health and we’ll have more to say about that soon,” Dix said.

Dix also echoed Premier John Horgan’s statement that British Columbians should follow the federal government’s guidelines and avoid non-essential international travel.

“If it’s not necessary, don’t go,” he said.

Horgan issued a statement saying he urged British Columbians to “follow the federal government’s advice to avoid non-essential travel outside the country” because it is “not a time to take chances.”

“While this advice undoubtedly disrupts many holiday plans, a fast-changing and unpredictable situation demands we act with caution and prudence,” said Horgan. “Avoid non-essential travel and follow public health guidelines. Plan your vaccinations and booster shots.”

This is a developing story. It will be updated with the latest information as it becomes available.

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