Try taking a healthier route to work, Henry says

People should look at alternative methods of getting to work during the COVID-19 pandemic such as walking, running or biking rather than getting on a packed train or bus, British Columbia’s top doctor says.

Dr. Bonnie Henry said publichealth officials are concerned about transportation as the province looks to gradually reopen. They have worked with authorities to make sure distancing measures remain in place.

“So, you won’t be seeing those packed cars, buses or subway cars in the near future,” she said at a news conference Thursday.

“And we are also looking at other things like short-term wearing of non-medical masks in the transit system.”

Walking or biking to work can also give people a chance to get some exercise along the way, Henry said.

The province reported another 15 people tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the total to 2,392.

Three more people died in B.C., for a total 135 deaths. The number of people who have recovered is 1,885. There have been 126 confirmed cases reported in the Island Health region, including one new case on Thursday. One person is in hospital and five deaths have been attributed to the virus on the Island.

Henry said she has been in touch with colleagues at the World Health Organization to discuss concerns about how the novel coronavirus is going to behave in the future. The organization issued a report saying the virus “may never go away.”

“There is the possibility that it will actually continue to circulate for many years and so that is something that is top of mind for many of us,” Henry said, noting the importance of testing, immunity and a vaccine that can help manage it in the long term.

As the province looks at reopening some services starting Tuesday, Henry said she doesn’t expect everything will be open immediately. WorkSafe B.C. said industry-specific guidelines will be available on its website by the end of the week.

Henry said measures will include keeping safe distances, reducing the number of people in a room and regularly cleaning places that are frequently touched. “We are not going to get everything perfect and that has been my burden to bear from the very beginning. We do the best we can,” Henry said.

Public-health officials will watch the number of cases once things begin to reopen and plan, adjust or adapt depending on the spread of infection, she said.

“The incubation period for this virus is 14 days. So, it will take us 14 to 28 days to understand the impact of the measures that we are taking in the coming weeks,” Henry said.