The government has laid out a roadmap for easing COVID-19 restrictions in B.C.
The plan shows a return to near-normal in just over a month if cases and hospitalizations keep going down and the rate of vaccinations keeps rising.
B.C. is now in Step 1, which among other items means that outdoor sports can happen, and indoor dining, low-intensity indoor gym classes, and small religious gatherings can resume.
Indoor gatherings are once again allowed with up to five people; for the past six months before today, an order has been in place where people could be fined for hosting indoor gatherings of any size. “Organized” gatherings outdoors of up to 50 people are now allowed. Outdoor personal gatherings remain limited to 10 people, the government says.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says more specifics will come out later this week about what the size limits will be on religious gatherings.
With today’s new guidance, travel restrictions have also been extended until the province enters “Step 2” of its restart plan, which will be June 15 at the earliest. That means travel bans will stay in place that prevent travel to-and-from the Lower Mainland.
By “Step 2,” as soon as June 15, up to 50 people will be allowed at indoor “organized” gatherings, like at live theatres, movie theatres and banquet halls. Indoor sports can also resume at that point, and up to 50 fans will be allowed at outdoor sporting events. By Step 2, all intra-provincial travel restrictions will be lifted.
For “Step 3,” starting no earlier than July 1, masks will no longer be mandatory indoors but will still be recommended. There would also be a “return to normal” for indoor and outdoor gatherings. Some fans will also be allowed for indoor sports, and nightclubs, casinos and bingo halls could also reopen.
The province also says WorkSafeBC will be working with industry associations to come up with updated workplace safety plans, prior to Step 3 of reopening. Those plans will be ready by July 1.
Meanwhile, “Step 4” would be a return to essentially normal conditions in our day-to-day lives, no sooner than Sept. 7. That would mean no limits to social gatherings, and no limits to fans in sporting events.
This entire plan is based on keeping COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations low.
(Photo: B.C. government)
