New COVID-19 measures have been issued by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) today to address the surge in COVID-19 cases and slow the spread of Omicron, the new variant of concern. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the new public health restrictions, and visit the BCIT COVID-19 website to review updates related to BCIT before the start of Winter term.
The new public health restrictions take in effect on Monday, December 20, 2021 until January 31, 2022 and include:
- limiting indoor, personal gatherings, including in rental and vacation properties to the household/residents plus 10 individuals, or one additional household maximum if all are aged 12 and older are fully vaccinated;
- requiring the BC Vaccine Card for organized events of all sizes and ensuring the QR code is scanned at events;
- seating requirements and restricting movement between tables at food and liquor-serving premises, and reinforcing the need to wear masks when not seated;
- limiting venues of 1,000 individuals or more to 50% of the seated capacity with reinforced masking requirements and scanning of the BC Vaccine Card QR code;
- pausing all sports tournaments while the order is in effect; and
- all New Year’s Eve organized gatherings and events will be restricted to being seated-only events, with no mingling or dancing allowed.
We have also compiled the following resources, which may be helpful as you make your holiday and new year plans.
Travel guidance
- We encourage the BCIT community to adhere to the international travel advisory issued by the Government of Canada, which advises travellers regardless of their vaccination status, to avoid non-essential travel internationally.
- New polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test requirements have also been issued by the federal government to travelling Canadians returning to the country.
Vaccine guidance
Vaccinations remain the best defense against COVID-19. If you have already received your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you will be notified through your health authority once you become eligible for the third dose. Visit the BC government website for more information on Getting your Booster Dose.
As COVID-19 guidelines continue to shift, we encourage you to visit the BCIT COVID-19 website and watch the BCIT Safety Wise app to review updates related to BCIT at the start of Winter term.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe.
Glen Magel
Director, Safety, Security and Emergency Management