By order of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), all individuals, places of work and businesses in the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley must significantly reduce their level of social interactions and travel.
Last updated: November 9, 2020
PHO order on limiting social interactions
By order of the PHO, all individuals, places of work and businesses within the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions must significantly reduce social interactions and travel.
The order is in effect from November 7, 2020 at 10:00 pm to November 23, 2020 at 12:00 pm.
Social interactions
Socialize only with those in your immediate household. A household is:
- Your immediate family
- A group of people who live in the same dwelling. For example:
- If you have a rental suite in your home, the suite is a separate household
- If you live in an apartment or house with roommates, you are all members of the same household
- A co-parent who lives outside your household
People who live alone
People who live alone can socialize with one or two people at home, outside or at a restaurant. These one or two people become your immediate household.
Gatherings
No social gatherings of any size with anyone other than your immediate household. For example:
- Do not invite friends or extended family to your household
- Do not gather outdoors
- Do not gather at restaurants
Note: Going for a walk is not considered a social gathering. You must make sure a walk does not turn into a group of people meeting outside.
Funerals and weddings
Funerals and weddings may proceed with your immediate household only.
- Funeral or wedding receptions at any location are not allowed, including reception events held at community-based venues
- This includes events of fewer than 50 people
Group physical activities
Businesses, recreation centres or other organizations that organize or operate indoor group physical activities must suspend these activities. This includes:
- Spin classes
- Yoga
- Group fitness
- Dance classes
- Any other group indoor activity that increases the respiratory rate
Indoor sports where physical distancing cannot be maintained are suspended. This includes activities like:
- Boxing
- Martial arts
- Hockey
- Volleyball
- Basketball
These activities can be replaced with individual exercise or practice that allows everyone to maintains a safe physical distance.
Indoor group physical activities can only resume when the business has updated their COVID-19 safety plan and received plan approval from their local Medical Health Officer.
Workplace safety
All businesses and worksites must conduct active daily in-person screening of all onsite workers using the COVID-19 symptom check list that is part of every business restart safety plan.
- Workplaces must ensure that all workers and customers maintain appropriate physical distance and wear masks when appropriate
- Extra care should be taken in small office spaces, break rooms and kitchens
Party-buses and limousines
Party-buses and group limousines must stop operations immediately. Resuming operations is at the discretion of the PHO and may extend beyond November 23, 2020 at 12:00 pm.
Travel
From November 7, 2020 at 10:00 pm to November 23, 2020 at 12:00 pm travel into and out of the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley should be limited to essential travel only.
Enforcement
During a public health emergency under the Public Health Act, the PHO can make orders as needed. You must follow the orders.
Orders can be enforced by police or other compliance and enforcement officials. People who don’t follow the order could be fined.