Large public gatherings, including anti-racism protests, pose health risks during a pandemic, British Columbia’s top health officials said Monday.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said people in B.C. have the right to protest and express their feelings, but warned there could be COVID-19 health consequences associated with continued large gatherings of demonstrators.
“Peaceful demonstration is our right, one that is important to all of us, but we cannot forget we are still in the middle of a pandemic,” she said during Monday’s routine news conference.
Henry said that although many people have been wearing masks during demonstrations and practising safe distancing, she is urging people who have attended any recent rally to monitor their health over the coming days.
“We also know right now large gatherings remain very high risk, even outdoors,” she said.
An estimated 3,500 people gathered in Vancouver following protests across the United States over the death of George Floyd, an African-American man who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes.
In Victoria, dozens gathered at Centennial Square during the day before marching down to the Legislature in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The cluster grew and concluded with a candlelight vigil, featuring hundreds of supporters.
I am here at the #BlackLivesMatter demonstration at BC Legislature #yyj . Hundreds are here, there are speeches. Organizers have request it be a peaceful protest. #GeorgeFlyod #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/zAPysPKoHy
— Julian Kolsut (@juliankolsut) June 2, 2020
B.C. has a public health order limiting the size of gatherings to 50 people.
“Weigh your options, think about the impacts, particularly if you are a health-care worker or have vulnerable people in your circle, in your household, in your family,” Henry said.
The province reported 24 new COVID-19 cases since Saturday and one death of an elderly resident at a Metro Vancouver long-term care home.
B.C. now has 2,597 cases of COVID-19 and there have been 165 deaths. The province says 2,207 people have recovered from the illness.
Health Minister Adrian Dix echoed Henry’s views against large gatherings, suggesting people explore innovative ways of expression and protest that protect everybody’s health during the pandemic.
“We have to collectively use our imaginations,” said Dix, adding rallies could be split into numerous smaller groups rather than one large gathering.
Henry is encouraging anyone who has attended one of the large rallies to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 in the coming days.
“Hate has no place in our province and we have said that many times during this pandemic and throughout this pandemic we must continue to show the kindness and compassion that brings us together as a community,” said Dr. Henry.
“Taking care of ourselves and each other is our responsibility.”
It isn’t just in British Columbia as large demonstrations have been held across the country in response to the death of George Floyd – an unarmed black man who died after a Minnesota police officer knelt on his neck.
With files to Canadian Press.
Graham Cox
