Interior Health is not allowing non-essential visits at all hospitals and other facilities across the region.

This expands on a similar order that Interior Health put in place on the weekend, which was specifically for long-term care facilities.

The health authority says this measure will help to follow recommendations on social distancing, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

It says essential visits – which will still be allowed – can include visits for end-of-life care, and visits that are necessary for patient care, where the visitor may assist with day-to-day tasks like feeding.

There will be navigators at each facility, Interior Health says, to make everyone aware of the new restrictions.