Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is expanding the COVID-19 mask mandate to include children aged five and older.
Henry has been under pressure from some teachers and parents to include all children instead of just those aged 12 and up in the order to wear masks in public spaces.
She also announced today that B-C is planning to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to about 340-thousand children aged 5 to 11 as early as November — pending approval by Health Canada.
Henry says the start of the campaign will be prioritized in the northern region, where COVID-19 transmission rates are highest and vaccine uptake is low. (The Canadian Press)