Smoke from Washington State wildfires hazes south coast

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Nightclubs and banquet halls ordered closed

B.C.’s nightclubs and banquet halls have been ordered closed by the Provincial Health Officer. Dr. Bonnie Henry says they are the source of too many COVID-19 infections.

"And despite weeks of effort by public health teams, these venues are still the source of significant risk to everybody in B.C., so these restrictions are meant to take away that late night temptation that people have where we know that there's been mixing going on and transmission has been happening at these types of venues across the province."—Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

Henry has also taken steps to reduce the consumption of alcohol in pubs, bars and restaurants. Starting now, alcohol sales at those venues are banned after 10 p.m. and the venues must close by 11 p.m.. As well, the volume level of all music and television events in those venues must be reduced to the same level as conversations, in an effort to prevent people from getting close and talking loudly. Henry says the restrictions are in response to rising COVID case counts, combined with the need to return students to classrooms safely, and there could be more restrictions as early as tomorrow. The Premier, the Minister of Health and Dr Henry are planning a news conference to announce updates to BC's Pandemic Plan for this fall.

429 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in BC over Labour Day long weekend

Meanwhile, there have been 429 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in BC over the long weekend, including four new cases in the Island Health Region. There have been two more deaths of former residents of long term care on the lower mainland.

Long ferry waits for those leaving Vancouver Island after Labour Day

People trying to leave Vancouver Island after the long weekend are running into usually long ferry waits. Since Sunday, travellers have been facing up to five sailing waits from Duke Point and Departure Bay. A spokesperson for BC Ferries says although sailing waits are common during long weekends, this Labour Day weekend has been more congested than predicted. Astrid Chang admits some travellers may have to wait until Wednesday to catch a ferry. And she is offering little for stranded travellers.

"When we do see a popular travel day like today those people who haven't made a booking on their selected sailing of choice we recommend they consider alternatives routed or alternative times of travel."—BC Ferries Spokesperson Astrid Chang.

Chang says BC Ferries has no plan to increase the number of sailings for the next long weekend in October.

Smoke from Washington State wildfires hazes south coast

People in Victoria are being advised to stay indoors today, because of heavy smoke from wildfires that are burning in Washington State. The air quality on the southern island is rated 10+ meaning "a very high risk." A high pressure weather system and high winds drew the smoke from Washington State to southern Vancouver Island late yesterday. There are close to 65,000 hectares of land burning in the state. Environment Canada is predicting the smoke may clear by this evening.