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COVID-19

B.C. government lays out four-step road map for easing COVID-19 restrictions

May 25, 2021 | 1:00 PM

VICTORIA — With COVID-19 case counts falling and immunization rates on the rise, B.C. government and health officials have unveiled a plan to lift restrictions in the coming weeks.

The four-stage plan includes conditions that must be met, including immunization rate minimums and case rate trends, before certain rules meant to prevent the spread of the virus can be relaxed.

The first step begins Tuesday (May 25), in parallel with ‘circuit breaker’ restrictions preventing indoor dining and fitness classes being lifted.

Image Credit: BC Government

Step 1: May 25 – As long as 60 per cent of the adult population with Dose 1, COVID-19 cases stable, hospitalizations stable

  • Maximum of five visitors or one household allowed for indoor personal gatherings
  • Maximum of 10 people for outdoor personal gatherings
  • Maximum of 10 people for seated indoor organized gatherings with safety protocols
  • Maximum of 50 people for seated outdoor organized gatherings with safety protocols
  • Recreational travel only within travel region (travel restrictions extended)
  • Indoor and outdoor dining for up to six people with safety protocols
  • Resume outdoor sports (games) with no spectators, low-intensity fitness with safety protocols
  • Start gradual return to workplace
  • Provincewide mask mandate, business safety protocols and physical distancing measures remain in place
  • Return of indoor in-person faith-based gatherings (reduced capacity) based on consultation with public health

Step 2: Mid-June (June 15 — earliest date) — As long as 65 per cent of adult population with Dose 1, cases declining, COVID-19 hospitalizations declining

  • Maximum of 50 people for outdoor social gatherings
  • Maximum of 50 people for seated indoor organized gatherings (banquet halls, movie theatres, live theatre) with safety protocols
  • Consultation process to prepare for larger indoor and outdoor gatherings with safety protocols
  • No B.C. travel restrictions — check local travel advisories
  • Indoor sports (games) and high-intensity fitness with safety protocols
  • Spectators for outdoor sports (50 maximum)
  • Provincewide mask mandate, business safety protocols and physical distancing measures remain in place

Step 3: Early July (July 1 — earliest date) — 70 per cent of adult population with Dose 1, cases low, COVID-19 hospitalizations declining

  • Provincial state of emergency and public health emergency lifted
  • Returning to usual for indoor and outdoor personal gatherings
  • Increased capacity for indoor and outdoor organized gatherings, with safety plans
  • Nightclubs and casinos reopened with capacity limits and safety plans
  • New public health and workplace guidance around personal protective equipment, physical distancing and business protocols

Step 4: Early September (Sept. 7 — earliest date) — More than 70 per cent of adult population with Dose 1, cases low and stable (contained clusters), COVID-19 hospitalizations low

  • Returning to normal social contact
  • Increased capacity at larger organized gatherings
  • No limits on indoor and outdoor spectators at sports
  • Businesses operating with new safety plans
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