Victoria Viewpoints: Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for  Tuesday, December 21, 2021
   

Coronavirus response in BC

BC to ban indoor organized events, shut nightclubs, and keep home gatherings small

BC records 1,308 COVID cases in 24 hours breaking single day record

BC to accelerate vaccine booster plan in January as Omicron variant spreads

BC seeing Omicron cases doubling 'every two days': experts

BC to ramp up testing, expand at-home kits in January 

No open bars, nightclubs, gyms, or dance studios - or organized indoor social events - for four weeks

Omicron Threat Brings New Lockdown rules

Omicron variant prompts additional COVID-19 measures in British Columbia

BC records highest number of new COVID-19 cases at 1,308 as officials warn exposure for most is 'inevitable'

BC shuts down bars, prepares to cancel surgeries as Omicron drives up case counts

Early data suggest Omicron cases could be milder, but that than with a grain of salt, experts

He spent 11 months in hospital recovering from COVID-19. But he's made it home in time for Christmas

More restrictions, more boosters, more rapid tests for BC

BC ramps up booster program by postponing surgeries and redeploying contact tracers

BC closes gyms, bars and bans indoor Christmas parties as Omicron cases surge

Bars, Gyms told to close to slow the spread of Omicron; no indoor weddings, parties

Record 202 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Island Health; BC also sees all-time high

Rapid testing to expand; return of mass-vaccination sites for COVID booster shots in BC

BC sees record-breaking 1,308 new COVID cases ahead of new restrictions

BC closes gyms and bars, bans indoor organized events over holidays as Omicron surges

Short trip across the border? COVID molecular tests are required again after brief hiatus

Globe and Mail

Vancouver approves six-storey rental towers on major arteries 

CBC

Prepare for days of extreme cold and winter storm conditions, BC officials warn

Highway 3 reopens to all traffic amid forecast for winter storms

Canada needs to build millions - not thousands of EV Charging stations, industry group says

Vancouver Sun 

Small businesses in BC reeling over holiday shutdown

Disappearing plastic bags: Vancouver to join other BC cities banning them in 2022

Victoria Times-Colonist 

Fire breaks out on Zim Kingston while docked at Port of Nanaimo for salvage work

No more fines for overdue young-adult materials at Vancouver Island Regional Library

MLA, environmentalists push for funding to protect old-growth forests

Two warming centres ready to open in Victoria as temperatures poised to dip

Last of six BC Ferries' Island class vessels arrives at Victoria shipyard

Destroying the Royal BC Museum's third floor is a disservice to everyone

Victoria News

BC ancient forest advocates call on province to fund alternative revenue streams

Cowichan Tribes to vote on deal to put control over education back in its hands

No vaccine mandate for Sooke School District staff, but new hires must be vaccinated

Global

'Disappointed but no surprised': BC businesses hit by latest COVID rules call for more support

Ice, snow and extreme cold: BCs ;latest weather concerns

Stoplights being installed along Highway 5A in Princeton to help ease traffic concerns

Highway 3 now open to non-essential travel between Hope and Princeton

Heavy snow and freezing rain forecast for the Coquihalla, Highway 3

Georgia Straight

Supreme Court of Canada ruling on carbon tax opens door for Justin Trudeau to curtail production of oil and gas

The Tyee

Coming Extreme 'Cold Wave' potentially deadly for Vulnerable

Cocktails, Colonialism and the Symbols of Empire

Miscellaneous

Arctic outflow, snow and possible freezing rain forecast for parts of BC

BC winter storm warning: Residents told to prepare for extreme cold, freezing rain