Provincial Health Officer Issues Order Prohibiting Gatherings of More than 50 People

Due to the risk of an outbreak of COVID 19, the Provincial Health Officer has issued an order under the Public Health Act.  The order expressly applies to municipalities and regional districts, as well as other persons and organizations. Persons and organizations subject to the order are prohibited from permitting the gathering of more than 50 people at a place of which they are the owner, occupier, or operator, or for which they are otherwise responsible. The order is effective until May 30, 2020, unless revised, cancelled, or extended.

Local governments will need to consider closing or curtailing the operation of public facilities they operate, in order to comply with the order. The impact of the order on the conduct of council and board meetings, as well as public hearings, will also need to be carefully considered.