July 27 - COVID-19 health emergency ends in BC

Good morning !

Welcome to the weekend. Today, we’ve got stories on the end of BC’s COVID-19 public health emergency, the Westshore Rebels’ home opener, and a fun beach festival in Colwood.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 21 / 13

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 20 / 14

Day after: 🌧️ 17 / 14

7-day forecast

NEWS

BC ends COVID-19 public health emergency

After over four years, the COVID-19 public health emergency was officially lifted yesterday in an announcement made by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix.

The provincial public health emergency was first declared March 17, 2020. The World Health Organization dropped its global health emergency in May 2023, though COVID is still considered a pandemic.

Henry said that after reviewing the current data, including hospitalization rates, vaccination rates, and the evolution of variants of concern, she was confident there was no longer a need for a public health emergency in BC. 

Henry clarified that COVID is still with us and will be for “the foreseeable future,” pointing to US President Joe Biden’s recent bout of COVID as an example of its continued presence. 

“While COVID-19 has not gone, we do have higher levels of protection within our health-care system, as I said, and in our communities,” said Henry. “If we look at the other places across Canada and across North America, these high rates of protection from vaccination and from the hybrid immunity have made a tremendous difference across British Columbia.” 

With the end of the public health emergency comes the lifting of few remaining restrictions from the pandemic era—the most significant being the requirement for all health-care workers to be vaccinated.

Read more details on the update here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Sooke Potholes wildfire: The Old Man Lake fire grew from 169 ha on Thursday to 188 ha Friday afternoon. BC Wildfire Service said the fire is trending away from the community and watershed.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Rebels kick off home opener with new head coach

The Westshore Rebels are gearing up for their first game of the 2024 season, and the reigning BC champions are excited to defend the Cullen Cup with the help of new coach Mark Townsend. 

The Rebels announced Townsend in February after former head coach Dexter Janke took a job with York University's team. Janke had been with the Westshore team since 2022 and took it to the national finals last year. The new head coach has decades of involvement with football, playing in university for both UBC and SFU.

Townsend's 20 years of coaching experience include 9 BC championships won as head coach for the local Mount Doug Rams. Townsend also spent 19 years managing the Rams’ football program. Most recently, he coached at Kealakehe High School on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Ahead of the Rebels’ first home game of the season, read more about the man at the team’s helm on the Westshore.

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NEWS

Colwood Beach party returns today

The Eats & Beats Beach Party returns for its annual festivities at The Beachlands this Saturday, July 27, from 1pm to 8pm. The free beach party celebrates all things food and live music while taking in Colwood’s ocean views.

The festival will host 20 food trucks, serving up a range of cuisines. Both Greek n' Go and Greek on the Street will be offering Greek street food, while Deadbeetz Burgers will be cooking up its unique burger fare. Los Panas Kitchen will be serving up its delicious Venezuelan arepas and patacones, Big Boss Tacos will be making Mexican street food, and Mama Rosie's will be offering Filipino dishes. 

Check out Tasting Victoria to find out what’s going on in the city’s food scene.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🐦 Hanging out: A brown creeper bird climbs upside down on a branch in Saanich. [Photo]

⭐ A brief trip to the Centre of the Universe. Explore constellations, galaxies, planets and much more at this historical observatory in Saanich. The Observatory hosts monthly Star Parties that allow visitors to catch stunning views of the night sky. Read more here.*

🤝 Now hiring: Nurse Practitioner (Contract Position) at Sprout Family Health

🗞️ In Other News

Feces left in UVic Multifaith Centre; an act of hate, says Muslim group
The feces were found around the centre, including inside a wudhu foot bath used by Muslims before communal prayers; Oak Bay police said an unknown person left it on Weds. morning. Earlier in July, Muslim prayers at the centre were cancelled due to threatening and anti-Muslim notes left on the door. UVic said it will increase security, especially during Friday Muslim prayers. [Times Colonist]

Suspected road rage leads to Burnside crash
A Thurs. 11am crash drew police, fire, and paramedics, and left a vehicle towed and a person hospitalized (non-life-threatening). Police seek witnesses and dashcam; they believe there was “pre-collision driving behaviour that led to the crash.”

Humpback untangled near Texada Island
A  ferry passenger had spotted the pulling 50m of line and “recreational prawn gear” through waters east of Courtenay-Comox. [CP]

Victoria Bug Zoo union signs first collective agreement
The union reached the deal with the zoo this week, gaining a raise from $17.40/hour—BC minimum wage—to $21/hour. Other points include reduced surveillance in employee-only areas; limiting of touring shift lengths; and the establishment of an Occupational Health & Safety Committee.

🗓️ Things to do

🍷 Roses and Rosé: Dress in pink and taste rosé pairings at Victoria International Wine Festival’s gala at the Parkside Hotel and Spa. Today. 7-9:30pm. 

🍻 Garden Party at Whistle Buoy: This patio party at the brewery in Market Square will feature live music, beer releases, and food pop-ups from The Courtney Room and Good Time Glizzy. Today. noon-9pm.  

🧑‍🎨 ArtisTREE: Discover local art makers with 150 artisan vendors, live performances, and food at Government House. Today 10am-7pm; tomorrow 10am-5pm. [Info]

😆 Island Lads Comedy Night: See Elyott Ryan and Mackenzie Edwards perform stand up at Intrepid Studio tonight. 7pm & 9pm.[Info]

🎤 Ian Sirota: See the Canadian comedian perform standup at Hecklers tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎸 Gun Street Ghouls: See the rock and roll band perform in Fernwood at Paul Phillips Hall tonight. 7pm. [Info] 

🛍️ Wear2Start Clothing Pop-up Sale: Find a new outfit and support this initiative aimed at empowering women at Fernwood Community Centre. Donate deodorant, a toothbrush, or toothpaste and receive $2 off your purchase. Today and tomorrow, 10am-3pm. [Info]

🎶 Pop of Colour: Enjoy live music from local musicians and special guest Dilly Cooner at Victoria Event Centre tomorrow. 9pm. [Info] 

⚽ Pacific FC vs. Valour FC: The Langford-based soccer team faces off with Winnipeg at Starlight Stadium tomorrow. 2pm. [Info] 

🎵 David Santana with Roy Styffe: Listen to the music of John Coltrane at Hermann’s tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]  

🎊 Millet with Actual Human People and Brendan Wong: Dress up for prom and listen to indie, funk, and rock tunes at Paul Phillips Hall tomorrow. 4-11pm. [Info] 

🕺 Tight Hair Disco at the bandshell in Beacon Hill. Free outdoor concert 1:30-3:30pm. [Info]

🫖 Historic House Garden Party: Transport yourself to the Victorian era with this tea party in the gardens at Ross Bay Villa tomorrow. 1-4pm. [Info]

🛁 Nanaimo Bathtub Race parade: The wacky vessels parade through downtown on wheels at 10:30am before taking to the water tomorrow. There are also free concerts all day. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: Fires pop up throughout Greater Victoria amid “extreme” fire risk; random sexual assaults in GV unrelated; no charges in death of Oak Bay worker. [July 26]

Victoria MLA in hot seat after damning report highlights issues within Ministry of Children and Family. [Capital Daily]

New dance club: The Downbeat to operate in former Hush location.

Locally filmed doc Resident Orca was nominated for a Jackson Wild award.

That’s it!

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