B.C.’s Health Minister is thanking residents in the province who followed the rules of physical distancing rules this past weekend – the first weekend under Phase 2 of the province’s restart plan.

However, Adrian Dix is asking people to stay focused in the days and weeks ahead, noting that people have different comfort levels when it comes to expanding their bubbles.

“For some of us, our comfort zone includes getting a hair cut, safely expanding our contacts, or visiting a local retailer,” he said. “For others, its holding off until we feel the time is right for us. For all of us though, staying safe in Phase 2 depends on each of us ensuring that our comfort zone includes physical distancing.”

Speaking on Monday, Dix says he believes that the province got off to a strong start on the best kind of footing.

“Right now its weekends like the one we just had, where we continue to use the skills that Dr. [Bonnie] Henry has taught us that gives surgical renewal its best chance to succeed,” Dix added.

“Everyday we stay 100 per cent committed to preventing a resurgence. Everyday we remember the physical distancing saves lives, and our actions spread that message and not the virus, then we’ve done our job to help those in operating rooms do theirs.”

On Monday, the province announced 12 new test positive COVID-19 cases for a total of 2,530 cases. Of that, 2,102 or 83 per cent of all cases have recovered.

Health officials say there are also just 37 people in hospital with COVID-19, seven in intensive or critical care units.