Interior Health’s soaring COVID-19 case count is forcing all residents to return to a mandatory mask mandate starting at midnight (August 20).

Effective August 21 is a Provincial Health Officer order instituting a mask mandate for indoor public spaces for people 12 years and older.

Also, organized events outdoors will be limited to 50 people and indoor social gatherings will be limited to one other family or five people.

Indoor and outdoor gatherings will need a COVID-19 safety plan in place.

High-intensity fitness classes are suspended while low-intensity fitness classes will be capped at 10 people and outdoor fitness classes will be capped at 50 people.

Effective Monday, Aug. 23 at 8 a.m.:

• Gatherings in vacation rentals are limited to five guests or one additional household.
• Indoor personal gatherings are limited to ten guests or one other household.
• Outdoor personal gatherings (e.g. birthday parties, backyard BBQs, block parties) are limited to no more than 50 people.
• Organized indoor gatherings (e.g. weddings, funerals, seated events) are limited to 50 people, and outdoors gatherings are limited to 100 people, both requiring a COVID-19 safety plan.

The previous orders for Central Okanagan food and liquor establishments remain in place.

These measures will remain in place until the end of September and Interior Health experiences lower cases and higher vaccination rates.

“While we are beginning to see cases in the central Okanagan slowly plateau, we are seeing more cases in other areas of Interior Health,” said Interior Health president and CEO, Susan Brown. “We are calling on all young adults to get your vaccine, especially those who work in jobs where you interact with the public. It is the most effective way to protect yourself and to reduce transmission in the community.”

Most people are being exposed at social gatherings, work places or in private households. The delta variant is leading to faster transmission and more severe outcomes for younger people. Immunization remains the most effective prevention against COVID-19.

“The vast majority of our cases are in people who are unimmunized or partially immunized and in adults between 20-40 years old. For those who haven’t yet gotten their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, please get it now. Getting immunized will help keep our hospital beds open for treating people with other illnesses and needing surgery,” said Interior Health medical health officer, Dr. Rob Parker.

The interval between first and second COVID-19 vaccine doses has decreased to 28 days for everyone. People can get vaccinated by dropping into any IH immunization clinic or by booking an appointment. Pop-up clinics are being added in communities throughout the region. All clinic locations and details area available here: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/covid-19-immunization-clinics/,

Testing continues to be available to anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. People can book an appointment online here or call 1.877.740.7747 between 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily.

How to get vaccinated

People can get their first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by dropping in to any IH immunization clinic or by making an appointment.

To make an appointment, register online by visiting the provincial website at: www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/, call 1‑833‑838‑2323, or visit a Service BC office listed here, and then book an appointment.

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