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COVID-19: Province lifts proof of vaccination requirement for events and restaurants; booster shots starting for those over 70

COVID-19: Province lifts proof of vaccination requirement for events and restaurants; booster shots starting for those over 70
Health Minister Adrian Dix. Government of B.C. photo

VICTORIA – As people in B.C. continue to get vaccinated, the province continues with previously announced plans to further lift COVID-19 restrictions, while protecting those most at risk with the launch of the spring booster vaccine program.

“Thanks to the many British Columbians who have stayed up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, we are seeing high levels of immunity and protection in our communities,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, in a news release. “Boosters are an important part of continuing to protect those who are most at risk as restrictions continue to be lifted, and I encourage everyone to make time in their day to get a booster dose.”

To protect seniors, the province has begun rolling out a spring booster vaccine program for seniors in long-term care and assisted living facilities. Community-dwelling seniors over the age of 70 and Indigenous people over the age of 55 will also begin receiving their invitations for their spring booster dose – a new booster dose for eligible seniors who received their third shot six months ago or more. People can use their invitation to schedule their appointment in health authority clinics or at participating pharmacies. A call centre will also continue to be available for those who are not able to book online.

People who are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) continue to be prioritized for their COVID-19 vaccinations. Those who have received their full three-dose primary series are eligible for their first booster dose about six months after their previous dose.

The spring booster vaccine program will provide a new boost of immunity for eligible seniors, as public health has indicated immunity in older people can wane in that time. The new booster will help to maintain and lengthen protection against severe outcomes of COVID-19, especially hospitalization and death.

The first booster shot provides protection in all ages and anyone who has not yet received their first booster dose are strongly encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Booster doses will be either the Moderna or Pfizer (mRNA) vaccine. Both vaccines are effective, interchangeable and you may receive either.

“Today, as we continue our progress managing COVID-19, we are easing restrictions and, at the same time, taking important steps to boost our immunity and keep people safe,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer. “As we all do our part – to get vaccinated, use our layers of protection and stay home when we are ill, we will continue to adjust our response as the pandemic evolves.”

Starting on Friday, April 8, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., the following changes will take place:

  • Showing the BC Vaccine Card proof of vaccination to access events, services and businesses will no longer be required. Individual businesses and organizations can choose to continue requiring the BC Vaccine Card on their premises.
  • The remainder of the Workplace Safety Order will expire, which means that businesses are transitioning back to communicable disease plans to reduce risk of all communicable disease.
  • The requirement for students residing in residence to be fully vaccinated under the Post-secondary Institution Housing COVID-19 Preventative Measures Order will be repealed.

The easing of restrictions is based on ongoing and careful review of data by the provincial health officer and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). Everyone will adjust to the changes in restrictions at their own pace, and it is important to be respectful of other people’s comfort levels.

Vaccinations remain the primary layer of protection that have limited severe health outcomes from COVID-19. Of all eligible adults in B.C., 93.8 per cent (4,057,726 people) have received their first dose, 91.5% (3,957,573 people) received their second dose and 59.5 per cent (2,571,726 people) have received a third dose.

B.C. has also increased the supply of rapid tests, helping people monitor and manage mild COVID-19 symptoms at home. Currently, rapid antigen tests, in kits of five tests, are available to people aged 18 years and older through community pharmacies. As of Monday, April 11, 2022, citizens can pick up rapid tests without needing to show their B.C. personal health number.

As of Monday, April 4, 2022, nine million tests have been shipped to pharmacy distributors with more than 4.3 million rapid tests dispensed through more than 1,300 participating pharmacies. Across all priority populations and pharmacies, more than 40 million tests have been distributed.

The province, provincial health officer and BC Centre for Disease Control will continue to monitor COVID-19 cases, hospitalization, critical care and death rates very closely in the weeks and months ahead.

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Today, France Lifts COVID Passport Requirement for Access in Most Venues & Events – SchengenVisaInfo.com

Today, France Lifts COVID Passport Requirement for Access in Most Venues & Events - SchengenVisaInfo.com

Today, March 14, France has lifted the obligation to be vaccinated in order to access most venues and events in the country, upon an evaluation that the Coronavirus situation permits for such a step to be taken.

The move was announced ten days ago in a press release issued by the French government, which also revealed that the obligation to carry a mask in most places in France would also be lifted from March 14.

After a fifth wave of COVID-19 of unprecedented magnitude, the health situation has improved markedly for several weeks. In particular, the pressure weighing on hospitals due to the epidemic is greatly reduced, allowing the lifting of white plans and a gradual resumption of scheduled activities,” the government noted in its announcement.

The same points out that the relaxation of these measures is in line with the strategy of the government to keep effective only the necessary measures in order to contain the spread of COVID-19 and abolish those without any noticeable effect.

Thus, starting from today, March 14, places and events like restaurants, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres, performance halls, stadiums, fairs and exhibitions, interregional transport, etc., can be accessed without proof of vaccination.

The move will, amongst others, enable professional tennis player Novak Djokovic to defend the Ronald Garros title at the French Open, which is set to be held from May 22 to June 5. Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, has previously shared his position to risk not participating in the tournament and remain unvaccinated, claiming it is a “price that I’m willing to pay”.

The requirement will, however, remain effective in places like hospitals, retirement homes, and establishments for the disabled in order to continue protecting the most vulnerable from the virus.

When we have emptied intensive care units, or at least (…) when there is no further cancellation of procedures and if no new variant is in circulation, then the utility of the vaccine pass will be debatable,” French Health Minister Olivier Véran had said at the beginning of the month regarding the removal of the health pass requirement for access in these places, in an interview for BFM TV.

The obligation to wear a mask, which has already been abolished for outdoor spaces since February 28, has also been lifted today. The obligation will remain effective only for public transport until further notice.

On March 3, SchengenVisaInfo.com also reported that the French authorities had expanded the green list of countries in order to permit more travellers to enter France restriction-free. The countries added to the list are Angola, Argentina, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Canada, Comoros, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eswatini, India, Iraq, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Travellers from the green list can enter France without being subject to any restrictions even if they have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.

>> France Invalidates Nearly 4 Million COVID Vaccination Certificates

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LA County Lifts Outdoor Mask Requirement For Mega Events, Schools

LA County Lifts Outdoor Mask Requirement For Mega Events, Schools

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Los Angeles County Wednesday lifted its outdoor mask mandate for mega-events and K-12 schools and child care centers, this on the same day that thousands of fans will gather in Exposition Park to celebrate the Rams Super Bowl title.

Rams fan looks on at Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Feb. 13, 2022. (Keith Birmingham/Pasadena Star-News/Getty Images)

The decision also comes just days after most fans at Super Bowl LVI were seen ignoring the mask requirement.

Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer told the L.A. County Board of Supervisors Tuesday that the outdoor mask requirement will be formally lifted at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Fans who attend Wednesday’s rally at Veterans Memorial Coliseum will not be required to wear them. However, they will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

The move coincides with the state of California lifting its indoor mask-wearing requirement for fully vaccinated residents. Los Angeles County, however, will keep its indoor mask mandate for all people, regardless of vaccination status.

Ferrer said again Tuesday that the county’s indoor masking rule will remain in place until the county’s virus-transmission rate falls to the “moderate” level, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and stays there for two weeks. Ferrer said the indoor mask requirement could be lifted by March 30.

She said she understands residents’ desire to shed face coverings, but the “issue is one of timing.” Ferrer said masks are a critical level of protection when virus transmission remains high.

There were 1,995 COVID-19 patients in L.A. County hospitals Tuesday, down from 2,054 on Monday. Hospitalizations had climbed to over 4,800 in mid-January at the height of the Omicron-variant-fueled winter surge in cases.

The county on Tuesday reported 55 more COVID-19-related deaths, raising the overall virus death toll to 29,980.

Another 2,133 COVID cases were announced, giving the county a cumulative total of 2,766,161 from throughout the pandemic.

The rolling average daily rate of people testing positive for the virus was 3.2% as of Tuesday.

(© Copyright 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

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WSU to lift masking requirement at large outdoor events – KXLY

WSU to lift masking requirement at large outdoor events - KXLY

PULLMAN, Wash. — In conjunction with updated state guidance, Washington State University plans to lift the masking requirement at large outdoor events beginning February 18.

The change will mostly affect Cougar baseball games in the short-term.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced the decision last week to repeal its mask directives for outdoor events with more than 500 people in Washington.

PAST COVERAGE: ‘No longer a matter of if, but when’: Inslee says health leaders discussing when to lift indoor mask mandate 

During his announcement, Inslee said more changes to state mandates could be announced soon.

WSU said its policies will continue to be evaluated “for potential adjustments as state requirements change and as greater information becomes available.”

The university’s indoor masking requirement at all WSU locations will remain in effect.

According to testing data from Cougar Health Services, COVID cases on the Pullman campus are on a steep decline.

More information about WSU’s response to the pandemic can be found at the university’s COVID-19 website.

MORE: Back to Zoom? Even after getting vaccinated, students at WSU worry about this semester’s future

RELATED: WSU cancels class for two days to allow students to safely return to Pullman

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Czechia to Abolish COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate  Requirement for Access to Restaurants & Outdoor Events – SchengenVisaInfo.com

Czechia to Abolish COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate  Requirement for Access to Restaurants & Outdoor Events - SchengenVisaInfo.com

Authorities in the Czech Republic have decided to abolish the obligation to present a COVID-19 vaccination or recovery certificate for all persons who plan to access bars, restaurants, or participate in outdoor events.

In addition, according to the announcement published by the Ministry of Health, the country’s authorities are also attempting to increase the maximum number of people who wish to participate in mass events, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

The same Ministry has announced that the new changes will become effective on Thursday. The recent changes applied by the Czech Republic’s Health Ministry come as part of the efforts to relax the rules imposed to stop the further spread of the Coronavirus and its new variants.

However, the requirement to wear face masks indoors, as well as the limited number of participants in specific events, will be kept in place.

Art performances, congresses and educational events, as well as sports events, will continue to be open to a maximum of 1000 spectators. At the same time, other mass events are permitted to host a maximum of 100 participants.

Starting from February 19, a maximum of 500 non-seated and 1,000 seated people will be permitted to attend the mass events, while other events such as cultural, sports, or traditional events will then be able to attend by a maximum of 500 participants.

“The omicron wave is culminating, and we expect the infection to have a declining trend soon. This gives us the opportunity to mitigate anti-epidemic measures. At the same time, I would like to ask everyone to continue to follow the hygienic recommendations, act responsibly, and thus avoid possible deterioration of the situation,” the Minister of Health Vlastimil Válek pointed out in this regard.

Authorities in the Czech Republic have also announced that the testing of employees, as well as social service providers, will also change starting from February 19.

“The scope of the emergency measure is narrowing from health and social service providers today and inpatient care providers in facilities for homes for the disabled, homes for the elderly or homes with a special regime, social service providers providing relief services in the residential form and social service providers in a weekly inpatient or sheltered housing facility,” the statement notes.

The same  clarifies that testing will continue to be performed by antigenic testing and healthcare professionals, while such requirements will no longer be compulsory for persons who have completed their immunization process.

Recently, the Prime Minister of Czechia, Petr Fiala, stressed that the country would remove all the requirements to present a vaccination or recovery document when accessing outdoor events, including restaurants and bars.