The COVID-19 pandemic has already stripped away many of our hopes for 2020, and now even the dream of a quiet family gathering over the holidays is flickering out like the lights on a well-used Christmas tree.

B.C.B次元官网网址檚 top doctor banned many traditional Christmas activities last week as she extended COVID-19 restrictions on events and gatherings through the new year.

B次元官网网址淲e are not yet through this storm,B次元官网网址� said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

Recent COVID-19 measures, which prohibit gatherings and events as well as meeting up with people outside of your immediate household, are now extended until midnight on Jan. 8. However, some drive-thru and drop-off events with COVID safety plans will now be allowed with up to 50 people who must stay inside their vehicles. Schools and most businesses, including gyms, will remain open.

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The extended measures mean there will be no multi-household Christmas dinners, Hanukkah celebrations or New YearB次元官网网址檚 Eve gatherings. People who live alone may form a bubble with another unit, but all others are being asked to stick to their immediate household.

B次元官网网址淭his year, B次元官网网址榟ome for the holidaysB次元官网网址� means staying home for the holidays,B次元官网网址� said Health Minister Adrian Dix.

And the inability to celebrate the holiday with family could heighten the stress and anxiety that many experience at this time of year.

B次元官网网址淭hese next couple of months are going to probably be the hardest,B次元官网网址� Island Health chief medical officer Richard Stanwick said last month. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be that slogging through and mentally trying to tough it out.B次元官网网址�

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Calls to B.C.B次元官网网址檚 crisis lines have spiked 27 per cent since the pandemic began, with the number of people reporting poor mental health tripling compared to pre-pandemic times. The Vancouver Island Crisis Society has seen a five per cent rise in call volumes compared to this time last year, with many callers saying they feel anxious and depressed.

B次元官网网址淣ow weB次元官网网址檙e heading into more indoor time, more people who are affected by a lack of light. And then of course on top of that, a holiday season in which weB次元官网网址檙e probably not going to be able to celebrate in the way that weB次元官网网址檙e used to,B次元官网网址� Stanwick said.

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