Less than two months after an indoor mask mandate was removed across British Columbia, masks are back.
Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, says as of midnight tonight, the mask mandate will be brought back, amid a surge in cases linked to the Delta variant. The provincewide mandate comes four days after masks were made mandatory again in Interior Health.
Similar to how it was before July 1 when the old mask mandate was lifted, this new indoor mask mandate will apply to malls, retail stores, grocery stores, libraries, community centres, pubs and bars as well as in workplaces where people come in contact with people.
“This is to address those situations where we are with people who may not have been vaccinated,” Henry said, noting it will apply to people over the age of 12. “This temporary order will be re-assessed as the vaccine card is brought in.”
“We need to continue doing the things that protect us, including wearing masks in indoor, public areas, practising hand hygiene regularly, staying away if we are sick and keeping a respectful distance from people. And most important of all, every person should get vaccinated to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community.”
During the same Tuesday press conference, health officials noted that all students in grades 4 to 12, as well as staff, teachers, visitors in schools will be required to wear masks when classes resume next month. Masks will also be required for some post-secondary activities and on-campus housing at colleges and universities.
“We now know that there is still a need for certain measures to be taken,” Henry added. “The mask mandate is one of those additional layers that we’re putting in place as we transition through the fall.”
Yesterday, Henry said unvaccinated people currently account for about 90 per cent of COVID-19 cases in the province as well as 93 per cent of hospitalizations. The risk of infection, Henry noted, is about 10 times higher for people who aren’t vaccinated.
Officials also said B.C. would not be moving into Step 4 of its COVID restart plan on Sept. 7 as initially intended.
