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
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.