B.C. to allow youth sports tournaments to resume as COVID-19 restrictions eased
Youth sports tournaments will be allowed to resume next week in British Columbia as health officials say the province's COVID-19 case numbers are trending in the right direction.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced Tuesday that organized tournaments for people 21 years or younger would be back on in B.C. starting Feb. 1.
"I know that this is an important time of the year for many different sports, especially team sports, and we've been working with organizers… to make sure that this can be done in a safe way," Henry said.
Adult sports tournaments will remain restricted at this time, Henry said.
Masks will be required for tournament participants when not actively participating in the sport, according to amended restrictions published by the province Tuesday.
Proof of vaccination will also be required for all spectators 12 years and older and all parents, coaches and volunteers.
"We do continue to see a gradual decline in our case rates over time and a levelling off of our test-positivity," Henry said. "But at the same time, the number of people in hospital remains high and it’s the highest it has been in our pandemic."
Twenty-four people died of COVID-19 in B.C. over the weekend, as 4,997 new cases were identified.
As of Monday, there were 31,822 confirmed active cases of COVID-19 in B.C.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.