Churches remain closed as B.C. health orders extended to Feb. 5

Public health officials in B.C. have again extended bans on events and gatherings, including worship services, this time until Feb. 5.

Health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry told a press conference Jan. 7 that “the vast majority of people in British Columbians are doing the right thing” by following public health orders, but an increase in case numbers in recent days have showed “some people made the decision to make an exception for themselves” over the winter holidays.

“This is our riskiest time right now. We cannot let our guard down,” she said.

Other currently banned activities include indoor group high-intensity exercise, wedding or funeral receptions, and all social gatherings with people outside one’s own household.

There have been no COVID-19 outbreaks tied to churches in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, and critics have said the government has yet to give a meaningful explanation why worship services have been banned while shopping and dining out remain acceptable activities.

The current restrictions imposed in the province were first introduced Nov. 19 and have been extended for the second time.

Catholics in B.C. are not the only ones shut out of Mass right now. On Wednesday the Quebec government announced places of worship will be closed and all residents are subject to an 8 p.m. curfew until Feb. 8. Schools will re-open from Christmas break in mid-January.

In Ontario, worship services face a cap of 10 participants, which has led to the suspension of Sunday and weekday Masses in many areas. Schools in that province have been closed to in-person learning until Jan. 25.

Albertans also learned today that restrictions on their social lives were being extended until Jan. 21. Churches have been told to limit in-person participation to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy.