Moving forward, Premier John Horgan says the province will open more things like hotels, movie theatres, spas, and overnight camping next month, if is it safe to do so.

The announcement comes as the province gets set to open up provincial parks to day use only on May 14, ahead of the May long weekend.

“If we are doing well and we see more opportunities, we’ll be opening up more businesses,” he said, noting those things are part of Phase Three.

“Phase Four, won’t be enacted until there’s a vaccine, treatments for COVID-19, or community immunity has been achieved. Until these things happen, B.C. will not be hosting rock concerts and conventions.”

Horgan says the success of the province’s reopening plans will depend on the availability of large scale testing and contact tracing.

“We are going to need 100 per cent of commitment of physical distancing, hand washing and following the orders and guidance of Dr. [Bonnie] Henry,” he added. “We’re going to need to build up our healthcare system and work to make sure that we are resilient in the event of a further outbreak.”

There is no timeline to lift the limit on gathering sizes from 50 people, however people are able to expand their social circles, if they choose to.

That said, Horgan says the province is advising people to still ‘keep their circles small’ and limit gatherings to about two to six people. He notes that the size of a person’s circle will depend on their age, their health, their personal comfort levels, and other factors.

It’s a sentiment shared by Dr. Henry as she announced 33 new cases of COVID-19 and two new deaths yesterday.

“We do not want to undo all that we have done. And even as we shift into this next phase, not everyone will be ready to increase their social connection or to restart their businesses at the same time,” Henry said.

“Just because it’s allowed, doesn’t mean everyone must or should change what they’re doing now,” she says.