With Christmas barely three weeks away, B.C.’s Premier isn’t saying yet what the boundaries will be for celebrating the holidays.
John Horgan, though, has maintained people should avoid non-essential travel under the current guidelines.
“The challenges ahead are significant. We know that, we’ve known that for many, many months. But as we get into December and the Christmas season and Hannukhah and other celebrations, we need to make sure we keep those celebrations to an absolute minimum. There will be difficult times ahead for family gatherings, there will be difficult times ahead for how we conduct ourselves.”
Orders that ban social gatherings are set to expire on Monday, and Horgan says provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry give an update on that ban on Monday afternoon, with a widespread expectation it will be extending by at least two weeks.
While other provincial leaders have told their residents to not gather at Christmas, Horgan, so far, has not given that directive.
“I know there are a lot of families who are concerned about the type of year we’ve had, and had looked with some hope to the Christmas break and perhaps the celebration of a new year. I can’t give an answer on that right now, other than to say we have hope on the horizon in the form of vaccines… The federal government is working on the final stages of approvals for here in Canada,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“We have, on order, significant amounts of vaccine that will be distributed in a way that’s most advantagous to vulnerable populations, healthcare workers and so on. When details are finalized, we’ll make those public. But I can’t give an answer today to how people will be celebrating Christmas this year, but I know we will in the days and weeks ahead.”
Today, Conservative Manitoba Brian Pallister – while saying you’re “an idiot” if you think COVID-19 is a hoax – made an emotional plea telling residents not to gather over the holidays. “I’m the guy who has to tell you to stay apart at Christmas and the holiday season… that you celebrate, normally, with friends and with family, where you share memories and build memories. I’m that guy. And I’ll say that, because it will keep you safe… Next year, we’ll have lots to celebrate.”
Last week, Conservative Ontario Premier Doug Ford also told residents there to keep Christmastime celebrations to only the people in their households.
