B.C. is cracking down on nightclubs, bars, and restaurants following a surge in COVID-19 cases after the Labour Day long weekend. 

On Tuesday, the province announced an amendment to public health orders which will now require nightclubs and banquet halls to close and the sale of liquor to end at restaurants at 10 p.m.

Venues will also have to lower the volume of any music to conversational levels and bars and restaurants will be forced close by 11 p.m. unless they are serving food. 

To help protect our most vulnerable and stop the transmission of COVID-19, all nightclubs and stand-alone banquet halls must close until further notice, and liquor sales in bars, pubs and restaurants must stop by 10pm. Learn more: https://t.co/GT5r2E3iSb #COVIDBC pic.twitter.com/rGVJ3HKk2b

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) September 8, 2020

These amendments come as the province reported a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases. Over a four-day period, B.C. saw 429 new cases, bringing the total number of cases to 6,591. On top of this, two more people have died of the virus, both in long-term care. 

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry broke down the numbers, saying that 123 of the cases were reported between Friday and Saturday, 116 between Saturday and Sunday, 107 between Sunday and Monday, and 83 between Monday and Tuesday.

"In recent weeks, public health teams have been heavily focused on responding to community clusters and exposure events in these higher-risk, uncontrolled locations that have been a major source of transmission since the start of our Phase 3 reopening," Henry said in a statement. 

"Despite weeks of effort by public health teams, these venues are creating significant risk to everyone in B.C., and making it more challenging to protect those who are most vulnerable to serious illness."

Many have taken to Twitter to praise the province's decision.

Good move. You want to drink, drink at home within your bubble!

— West Coaster (@westcoaster100) September 9, 2020

"Almost inevitable. Abuse it and loose it folks.... Should have been more responsible," another person tweeted.

Others are questioning why bars, nightclubs and restaurants are on such strict orders while schools remain open.  

So....close the nightclubs but open the schools? Adults go to nightclubs & can make informed decisions. Children and youth are at risk. Their parents are full of anxiety. Some children and youth are comprised due to health issues. Where is their answer?

— Mavis Boucher (@MavisBoucher3) September 9, 2020

Henry also encouraged B.C. residents to ease up on social interactions this fall.

"As we get back to work and back to school this fall, it is the time for all of us to cut back on our social interactions to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 for ourselves and everyone around us."