Stay Healthy and Safe this Winter

 Help Our Communities Stay Healthy and Safe this Winter 

As the Interior region and British Columbia continue to experience the impacts of COVID-19, you can help protect the people you care about. 

Here are ways to stay safe this winter: 

• Get vaccinated. Vaccines are our best defense against COVID-19. Vaccines are available to British Columbians age 5 and older. When you receive your invitation for your booster dose, book an appointment at a clinic or pharmacy. 
• Keep your personal gatherings small and to people who are fully vaccinated. Ensure those attending are fully vaccinated (12+). 
• Ask your guests to do a health check before attending any gathering. Anyone feeling unwell should stay home. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated and are close contacts of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 should also self-isolate. 
• If you are feeling unwell, stay home and get tested if needed. Take the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment to see if you should book a test: https://bc.thrive.health/covid19 
• Need to self isolate? If you’re feeling unwell, stay home and keep to a dedicated space in your house, away from others. Wash your hands often and use a separate bathroom if possible. 
• Gather outdoors rather than indoors. Hiking, snowshoeing, or gathering around a fire is a safer alternative and limits potential spread of COVID-19. 
• Mask up. Ensure you follow public health orders and wear a mask in indoor public settings and situations where physical distancing isn’t possible. Make sure it fits snuggly. 
• Keep gatherings spacious. Provide enough space to avoid crowding and to make it possible for people to be physically distanced. 
• Minimize non-essential travel. If possible, stay close to home. If you do have travel plans, gather only with family and skip larger organized events.  For the latest public health orders and public guidance, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restrictions