Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the most significant reduction of restrictions yet. (flickr/Gov't of B.C.)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

less rules

Numerous restrictions to ease starting Canada Day

Jun 29, 2021 | 4:04 PM

NANAIMO — A return to normal is inbound for B.C.

The province announced Step Three of the restart plan will begin on Canada Day, including the reduction of key restrictions which have been in place for much of the pandemic, including mask wearing and allowable sizes of social gatherings.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said while restrictions lift, everyone is still encouraged to live as safely as possible.

“We’re cautiously moving forward but the important principle we have right now is we no longer need orders and directives in place. We can replace them with the guidance that allows us to live our lives as we move through the next step of the reopening.”

Masks will no longer be mandatory indoors, instead they are recommended in all indoor public spaces for those who aren’t yet fully immunized.

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“Some people may continue to wear masks and that’s okay. We need to remember that we need to go on our own pace.”

As of Canada Day British Columbians are also permitted to go ahead with recreational travel across the country as opposed to only in B.C.

Capacity limits for indoor gatherings are 50 people or 50 per cent capacity, whichever is greater. Up to 5,000 people or 50 per cent capacity under the same rules is allowed for outdoor events.

Restaurants and nightclubs will still have protections in place.

“For now, there’s not going to be that socializing between tables and making sure we still have barriers in place where it protects people,” Dr. Henry said.

The state of emergency is also lifted as of Canada Day after being in place for more than 460 days.

B.C. saw 29 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday as active cases fell to 876 with 110 people in hospital, 34 people receiving intensive care and no new fatalities.

Island Health once again had three new COVID-19 cases, all of which were found in the central Island area where the number of active cases remained unchanged at 13.

There are currently 16 active cases in Island Health.

The last active case in the northern area of the health authority recovered.

There is a data discrepancy between Island Health and the province, based on the timing of COVID-19 results. NanaimoNewsNOW reports local verified data from Island Health.

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