BC's Restart Plan Launched

Premier John Horgan, Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC's provincial health officer, have just announced B.C.’s four-step plan for a gradual, careful and safe restart, beginning on May 25th.

The four-step restart plan was designed based on data and guidance from the BC Centre for Disease Control and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. Progressing through the steps will be measured by the number of adults vaccinated, COVID-19 case counts, hospitalizations, and deaths. While there are approximate dates, government notes the plan will be guided by data, not dates, and increased vaccination rates will be central to moving forward.

Step 1: May 25  

• 60% of adult population with Dose 1

• COVID-19 cases stable, hospitalizations stable

  • 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 workplaces

  • 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

Restaurants, bars and pubs, as well as indoor fitness facilities, are to return to the existing safety protocols that were in place prior to the circuit breaker restrictions. Hotels and other accommodation providers are encouraged to welcome guests from inside their region. In Step 2, the invitation can be extended to guests from throughout the province.

Step 2: Earliest start date June 15

• 65% of adult population with Dose 1

• Cases declining, COVID-19 hospitalizations declining

  • 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

  • Consultation process to prepare for larger indoor and outdoor gatherings with safety protocols

  • No B.C. travel restrictions – check 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: Early July (July 1 – earliest date) 

• 70% of adult population with Dose 1

• Cases low, COVID-19 hospitalizations declining

  • 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 reopen with capacity limits and safety plans

  • New public health and workplace guidance around personal protective equipment, physical distancing and business protocols

Step 4: Early September (Sept. 7 – earliest date)

• More than 70% of adult population with Dose 1

• Cases low and stable (contained clusters), COVID-19 hospitalizations low

  • 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

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