Other provinces start reopening as B.C. preps its own plan
VICTORIA — Canada’s largest provinces started to slowly reopen their economies on Monday, leaving B.C. as one of the last to set clear timelines.
Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec have begun easing COVID-19 restrictions to varying degrees, ranging from the resumption of non-urgent surgeries in Alberta, to the reopening of restaurant patios and hair salons in Manitoba.
B.C.’s restrictions remained unchanged — although, unlike some other provinces, it never shut daycares, the construction sector, or golf courses.
Premier John Horgan is expected to address the issue of reopening the economy on Wednesday.
New B.C. modelling presented by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry indicated the province’s healthcare system could withstand people returning to partial normality, while continuing to follow social distancing rules for unnecessary contact, hand hygiene and requirements to stay at home when sick.
“We have some room to increase our social connections,” Henry said Monday.
Among provinces, the most detailed plan put forward so far is in Saskatchewan, which has a 42-page report with guidelines and dates for key sectors. The most controversial proposal is in Quebec, where schools are set to reopen this month despite a rising number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Ontario’s plan is vague, without actual dates.
All provinces are requiring continued two-metre distancing, increased sanitization, and the use of masks and protective equipment as part of their plans.
Alberta began some non-urgent scheduled elective surgeries Monday, with plans for 30,000 in the next six weeks. B.C. cancelled more than 16,101 non-urgent surgeries, to free up thousands of hospital beds in case of a surge in COVID-19 cases.
It has yet to announce how and when those surgeries will be rescheduled.
Alberta and Saskatchewan reopened provincial parks to vehicle traffic Monday, as well as allowing a return to work for dentists, physiotherapists, speech language pathologists and other support service industries. B.C.’s provincial parks remain closed, as do its dentists and support services.
In Manitoba, non-essential businesses, cafes, restaurant patios, hair salons, museums, libraries, summer camps, outdoor parks and campgrounds reopened Monday, but with occupancy capped at 50 per cent of normal business.
Alberta plans to take similar steps May 14, while Saskatchewan will follow suit with expanded retail openings May 19.
Maximum gathering sizes now vary substantially from province to province.
The maximum size is 50 people in B.C., 15 in Alberta, 10 in Saskatchewan and Manitoba,
five in Ontario, and an outright ban on public gatherings in Quebec.
Manitoba also has another phase set for June 1 to reopen film production, dine-in restaurants, nail salons and personal services.