When the Vancouver Canucks play their first regular season game at Rogers Arena next week, it will be in front of a full house.
Starting Monday, capacity limits will be lifted for indoor events and gatherings in British Columbia where proof of vaccination is required.
It’s no coincidence that this move will take effect one day after BC’s two-dose vaccination requirements begin on Sunday.
Currently, a provincial health officer order restricts capacity to 50% for indoor settings like sporting events, concerts, movie theatres and organized events like weddings or conferences.
The only areas where this change won’t take place are where regional orders remain in place, which includes Fraser East and parts of the Northern and Interior Health regions.
In addition, the requirement to remain seated at a table in restaurants and pubs will be lifted, as Dr. Bonnie Henry noted that all patrons in those settings will need to be fully vaccinated starting Sunday.
"We’re hoping to leverage the benefits of the vaccine card and this is an important first step of that," BC's top doctor explained.
"We’ll be monitoring carefully and be looking at whether we can take away additional restrictions depending on how things evolve over the next few weeks."
A mask requirement will remain in effect for all indoor gatherings and events.
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