Liquor stores, restaurants, bars and grocery stores in B.C. will only be able to sell booze until 8 p.m. tomorrow night.

The provincial government has come down with that new order today, as health officials continue to tell people not to gather for New Year’s Eve.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says poor decision-making related to COVID-19 protocols is often linked to alcohol. She says she’s especially concerned with the potential for gatherings in resort communities.

For months, restaurants and bars in B.C. have been forced to stop selling alcohol at 10 p.m. each night. That will resume again on Jan. 1.

For New Year’s Eve, restaurants and bars will also be forced to close down at 9 p.m.

This announcement comes as the province has announced 485 new cases today of COVID-19, including 11 deaths. There were 57 new cases today in Interior Health and no deaths in the Interior.

Province-wide, there are now 7,551 active cases and 369 people in hospital, with 77 of those people in critical care.

Meanwhile, as of Wednesday, 14,027 people had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Starting on Monday, Jan. 4, the province will be giving the number of vaccinations done for each health authority.