Province hopes for muted St. Patrick’s Day celebrations to curb COVID-19

The province is putting a cap on the sale of green beer – and all other booze for that matter – as we gear up for St. Patrick Day celebrations.

Last week, Dr. Bonnie Henry has put a restriction on alcohol sales around St. Patrick’s day. 

That means green beer, and other liquor, can’t be sold in bars and restaurants after 8:00pm until 9:00am Thursday. 

In a similar vein, B.C.’s provincial state of emergency has been extended for a 26th time, marking a year since this declaration was issued in response to COVID-19.

This gives the police and other enforcement officials power to limit the spread of COVID-19, by issuing tickets to organizers of large events and gatherings that contravene the provincial health officer’s orders. 

In Tuesday’s COVID-19 update, the province reported 556 new cases in B.C.

This includes 27 new ones in the Island Health region.

On a bright note, there were no new deaths reported.