When it comes to COVID-19, doing the right thing now will dictate what we’ll be able to do at over the holidays in December.

That’s according to Interior Health’s Medical Health Officer for Kamloops, Dr. Carol Fenton, who says it’s important to follow the current health guidelines when it comes to social activities and reducing non-essential travel.

“The reason we are doing that is because we want to avoid the hardline restrictions that they are having to do in the Lower Mainland,” she said on the NL Noon Report.

“The safest thing is to assume that COVID is in community regardless of the numbers because we know especially Kamloops being on the highway that there are people from the Lower Mainland and Alberta travelling through that will go on to test positive once they get back home.”

Fenton says to be able to enjoy anything close to a ‘normal’ holiday season, people need to be taking all necessary measures now.

“I’m also hoping that I’ll get to see my family at Christmas but you know, what happens at Christmas is entirely dependent on what we do now,” she said. “So if we can work together and keep our numbers and turn the curve around now, we’re more likely to be able to have a more normal Christmas.”

That is a point echoed by B.C. health officials as well, who say while the holidays will look different this year, some details are yet to be determined.

“There’s not going to be a vaccine here that’s going to save the day by Christmas,” Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Thursday, noting what the holiday season will look like will depend on how much the virus is still spreading at the end of November into December.

“We can find ways to celebrate, to have family come together in a way that’s safe for everybody.”

According to the latest modelling, B.C. could see more than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 a day over the next two weeks if people don’t cut down on contacts now.

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said on Thursday to not expect any indoor parties in common rooms or buildings to celebrate Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas or New Year’s this year because of COVID-19.

“So, every single person, I’m asking every single person to reflect on ways that we can make this the best Diwali, the best Christmas, the best New Year’s, the best Hanukkah, the best whichever day is of significance to you, without coming together in the ways we have before, but appreciating what these events can mean to us in our lives,” Dix said.

Fenton adds getting more intel on COVID-19 has helped manage the pandemic as time goes on, but there is a downside, noting that while additional information is useful, the time it’s taken to gather it is having a negative effect on people.

“You know we are now nine months in and we are getting tired of it. and so people are not wanting to cancel all of their social events and those kinds of things. So on the one hand, we are much better off but on the other hand, we must be vigilant and strong.”

– With files from Kirk Fraser