Friday, March 29, 2024

Here’s a full breakdown of BC’s gradual plan to return to normal life following COVID-19

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Things are looking good as BC begins to return to normal, starting today.

In a joint press conference on Tuesday, Premier John Horgan and BC health officials announced a four-step plan for reopening and relaxing restrictions, beginning today, Tuesday, May 25th.

Today’s announcement saw the end to the COVID-19 ‘circuit breaker measures’ and the beginning of a 4-step plan to reopen.

The province detailed restrictions involved with businesses, sports and activities, travel, and organized gatherings.

By September, BC expects to go back to life before the pandemic — health officials say the COVID-19 illness will be a health concern, not a state of emergency.

Beginning today, May 25th, low-intensity fitness classes, like yoga, can open for limited capacity; outdoor teams can hold games and practices without spectators; outdoor seated organized gatherings up to 50 people (ie. Small wedding ceremonies) will be allowed, including in-person worship services; indoor gatherings up to 5 people, or one household; and offices can start to gradually return to in-person workplaces.

By June 15th, BC will see restrictions change again, with high-intensity fitness classes being able to open with reduced capacity.

Though, recreational travel will still be limited to your health region until June 15th.

By July 1st, indoor and outdoor dining will have no group limits, liquor service restrictions will be lifted, and nightclubs will reopen w/ limited capacity. Recreational travel around Canada will be allowed.

By September, large organized gatherings like concerts will be allowed.

See the full breakdown here:

Step 1: Beginning May 25th

  • Maximum of five visitors or one household allowed for indoor personal gatherings
  • Maximum of 10 people for outdoor personal gatherings
  • Maximum of 10 people for seated indoor organized gatherings with safety protocols
    Maximum of 50 people for seated outdoor organized gatherings with safety protocols
  • Recreational travel only within travel region (travel restrictions extended)
    Indoor and outdoor dining for up to six people with safety protocols
    Resume outdoor sports (games) with no spectators, low-intensity fitness with safety protocols
  • Start gradual return to workplace
  • Provincewide mask mandate, business safety protocols and physical distancing measures remain in place
  • Return of indoor in-person faith-based gatherings (reduced capacity) based on consultation with public health.

Step 2: (Earliest Date- June 15th)

  • Maximum of 50 people for outdoor social gatherings
  • Maximum of 50 people for seated indoor organized gatherings (banquet halls, movie theatres, live theatre) with safety protocols
  • No B.C. travel restrictions ʹcheck local travel advisories
  • Indoor sports (games) and high-intensity fitness with safety protocols
    Spectators for outdoor sports (50 maximum)
  • Provincewide mask mandate, business safety protocols and physical distancing measures remain in place.

Step 3: (Earliest date- July 1st)

  • Provincial state of emergency and public health emergency lifted
  • Returning to usual for indoor and outdoor personal gatherings
  • Increased capacity for indoor and outdoor organized gatherings, with safety plans
    Nightclubs and casinos reopened with capacity limits and safety plans
  • New public health and workplace guidance around personal protective equipment, physical distancing and business protocols.

Step 4: (Earliest date- Sept 7th)

  • Returning to normal social contact
  • Increased capacity at larger organized gatherings
  • No limits on indoor and outdoor spectators at sports
  • Businesses operating with new safety plans.

Although the stages have been announced, it is important to remain patient and follow the guidelines and restrictions in place. Follow mask guidance, stay home and get tested when you’re sick, and consider others in your decisions.

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