"House parties: Don't throw, don't go, say no."
When it comes to house parties, Health Minister Adrian Dix emphasized in today's COVID-19 briefing that they simply shouldn't happen in B.C. during the pandemic.
People shouldn't throw house parties, but individuals must also reject invitations--regardless of the circumstance, explained Dix.
"We need to be 100 per cent all in," said the health minister.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry emphasized that an increase in cases was expected when people moved indoors, but that our individual choices make will make a big difference: "Fewer faces make for safer spaces."
Individuals are responsible for basic measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as regular hand washing, covering coughs, maintaining physical distance when possible, avoiding touching the face, and wearing face coverings when it isn't possible to physically distance, said Henry.
"And while I would like to note that some recommendations have changed, the foundational layers of protection and the minimal but important province-wide orders that we have in place are our steady guideposts," she noted.
"Let's remember that as the days get darker there will be lightness ahead. We will get through this winter. We will get through the challenges of COVID-19."
Henry added, however, that "If you know somebody in your social circle with COVID, that means your risk is higher."
Health Minister Adrian Dix added that the province has ordered 1,970,000 doses of the influenza vaccine, and is in the process of ordering 271,600 additional does, for a total of 2,241,600; last year the province acquired 1.5 million doses.
So far, over 500,000 British Columbians have received a flu shot.
Pandemic Partying
In Monday's provincial briefing, Dix condemned the behaviour of Halloween party-goers on Vancouver's Granville Street strip. He described some of the behaviour as "simply disgraceful."
Social media posts showed downtown streets crowded with people on Halloween night, apparently flouting COVID-19 safety protocols.
Dix added that it is of particular importance for people to monitor the number of people they have in private residences. He underscored that several cases have occurred from small gatherings when there are no cameras around.
While the official rule is to "stick to your six," Dix underscored that it's a good idea to limit the number of people in your dwelling to those that live there.
"What we are asking people to do, especially in the season of gatherings--the season where it is colder and the days are shorter-- is to strictly limit that," said Dix. "And that's why the maximum of six is in the public order and that's why our advice to people is to avoid such gathering and stick to within the home, to people who live in the home.
"It's one way we can stop the spread of COVID-19."
