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by Craig Takeuchi on December 16th, 2020 at 3:30 PM 1 of 2 2 of 2
Although B.C. has begun its COVID-19 immunization program, British Columbians will need to continue on with health measures for many more months ahead, particularly as the province is continuing its efforts to reduce high case numbers and transmissions.
The first vaccinations began in the province yesterday (December 15), starting with healthcare workers before expanding to other frontline workers and vulnerable populations in the coming months.
However, B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has previously explained that vaccinations won’t have any impact upon transmission levels for the first few months. In addition, immunization for British Columbians who aren’t part of vulnerable populations won’t begin for several months.
Canada s vaccine rollout reached four more provinces on Wednesday, with health-care workers being inoculated against COVID-19 as officials warned hospitals in some areas are nearing a breaking point.
Nurses were first in line for the Pfizer-BioNTech shot in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, while Prince Edward Island administered the vaccine first to workers at a long-term care home and Manitoba bestowed the honour on an ICU doctor. It s an early Christmas present, said Ellen Foley-Vick, a public health nurse who was first to receive the vaccine in St. John s, N.L.
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The BC government announced today it is expanding provincial COVID-19 ticket enforcement and workplace safety measures, as part of its ongoing response to the pandemic.
“We need to continue our efforts in the months ahead to protect our province’s most vulnerable,” said BC Premier John Horgan. “Right now, we all need to mask up in indoor public spaces and not gather with anyone outside our household, and today’s expanded enforcement measures will help us change behaviours and bend the curve of infections back down.”
As part of its expanded enforcement, the province said BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth has asked gaming investigators, conservation officers, community safety unit inspectors, and liquor and cannabis inspectors to actively support police and increase COVID-19 enforcement during their normal course of duties or when in public places.
B.C. government says proposed insurance rate decrease is largest in 40 years
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth talks during a press conference at the legislature in Victoria on Monday, October 28, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito December 14, 2020 - 3:31 PM
VANCOUVER - British Columbia s public insurance company is applying for a 15 per cent decrease in its basic rates.
Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says if the request is approved by the B.C. Utilities Commission, it will be the largest decrease in 40 years.
The application is part of the government s approach to reduce insurance premiums for drivers by an average of 20 per cent, or about $400, along with a new coverage plan that goes into effect in the spring.