B.C.’s top doctor says no COVID-19 health restrictions will be lifted before the May long weekend even though the infection rate continues to trend downwards.
Dr. Bonnie Henry says when it comes to easing restrictions after the long weekend it’s not going to be like flicking a switch.
“We spend a lot of time thinking about the day to day numbers but really its how do we look at the numbers over time, and what’s happening in our communities. So those are going to be some of the factors that we are putting into the Restart 2.0 that we are working with across government and the public health input into that.”
The province today reported 494 new COVID-19 cases, the first time there have been fewer than 500 new COVID-19 cases in nearly two months.
Henry adds any relaxing of restrictions on large gatherings will not likely to come until at least Canada Day. She notes officials are considering how to gradually loosen COVID restrictions, but in the meantime, she says, it’s important to stick to the rules.
“Expect to start seeing some of that after the May Long Weekend in more detail,” she added. “And of course, I’m working with my colleagues across the country to make sure that we’re all aligned in some of the messages that we’re giving.”
Federal officials lay out roadmap for post-vaccine life
Federal health authorities say some public health restrictions could be eased by the summer if 75 per cent of Canadians get their first dose of vaccine and 20 per cent get fully vaccinated.
Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, says the country may have “passed the peak” of the third wave, as average daily COVID-19 case counts dropped to fewer than 7,000 for the first time since April. She says there have been “great strides” made as nearly 50 per cent of adults have at least one vaccine dose. Tam says maintaining that pace will allow “an outdoor summer that gets us back into many of the activities we’ve been missing.”
That could include small outdoor gatherings with family and friends, picnics at parks and patio reunions. But she cautions that Canadians should still avoid all crowds, especially if you’ve only gotten one dose of the vaccine.
“So, you actually have to be really careful as you slowly ease those measures. Vaccines will be a major help in keeping your rates low and point towards a future that includes some of these activities that we’ve longed for without a resurgence happening,” Tam said.
“Individuals with one dose should feel more confident that they’re better protected, but you’ve got to get that second dose for maximal protection.”
For things like large sporting events and family gatherings to return, Tam says at least 75 per cent of eligible adults have to be fully immunized for that to safely resume in the fall.
As the vaccine rollout accelerates, Health Minister Patty Hajdu says the national timeline to ease restrictions is ”realistic,” but notes the targets also have to be tailored to local COVID-19 conditions.
Asked why Canada has set the bar so high for doing away with some of the strictest public health measures, Tam said it ultimately will be up to the provinces and territories to decide when social and economic life can return to something closer to normal.
Mask use outdoors can be optional depending on the situation: Dr. Henry
During a media briefing on Thursday, Dr. Henry noted if you’re outside and not in a large crowd, you can take your mask off, if you want to.
She says its because the risk of COVID-19 transmission is much lower outside than it is inside.
I think we need to be rational about wearing masks outside. I know many people, like myself, if I’m going between shops where I am going to be putting it on and off, then its just as easy to wear it,” Henry said. “And particularly, if we’re in a crowded area or a crowded sidewalk then its just as easy to wear it as not.”
“We know that outside versus inside is much much less risk, if there’s any breeze at all, things disperse rapidly,” added Dr. Henry. “If somebody is walking by you or running by you on the sidewalk, even if they come right close to you, the chances of you spreading COVID that way are zero or as close to zero as we can possibly get.”
Her comments come as the CDC in the United States noted fully vaccinated people can ditch the mask and physical distancing while outside. Stateside though, masks are still required in some crowded indoor settings like buses, airplanes, hospitals, prisons, and homeless shelters.
Henry says B.C. isn’t quite ready for that step yet, noting more information will be coming in the Restart 2.0 plan, expected after the May long weekend.
“You know its important to be able to get outside everyday and I encourage everybody to do that. Especially now as we’re able to do that more and more,” Henry added.
“Being outside is a safe way of being with people, keeping our distance, and especially after we’ve been immunized, we know that the risk goes down even more.”
As of publishing, there have been just under 2.4 million vaccine doses now administered in British Columbia, 124,880 of which have been second doses. People 25 and older can book their vaccine appointments today, while all adults over 18 will be able to do so by Sunday.
– With files from The Canadian Press
