We’ve put in place a plan that has slowed the growth of the virus and put us in place for a safe restart of the economy. The good news is we’re already at Phase 1. That is because B.C. did not fully shut down.
Restrictions will remain in place on large groups
British Columbia Premier John Horgan, announcing province’s reopening plans.
VICTORIA— British Columbians will be able to snuggle babies, visit grandparents and go to the bar, likely weeks ahead of other Canadians.
As long as the rate of coronavirus growth in B.C. remains low, the province said Wednesday, it plans to keep adding services, businesses and social interactions to the “new normal” in the weeks ahead, over the summer and into the fall.
The government has even offered B.C. as a potential future location for audience-free NHL games.
The next steps of the gradual reopening, to begin mid-May, will include opening parks for day use; opening schools on a voluntary basis; and allowing small social gatherings of as many as six people. Officials said gatherings should still be restricted for people at a higher risk of COVID-19, meaning each household will have to evaluate its own risk.
Premier John Horgan said Wednesday that the reopening plan was a sign British Columbians have succeeded in slowing the growth of COVID-19, despite being exposed to the virus early on and the province registering the first death in Canada.
Unlike most other provinces, B.C.’s economic restrictions due to COVID-19 never extended broadly to non-essential businesses, meaning some book stores, shops and furniture stores remained open during the height of COVID-19 restrictions, as long as they could enforce physical distancing between shoppers. Transitioning through the rest of the phases will not come with the flick of a switch, Horgan warned.
“Restrictions on large gatherings are here to stay,” he said.
That means large events like rock concerts and conventions are out of the question until there is a coronavirus vaccine, an effective treatment or community immunity.
Here’s how it’s anticipated the B.C. plan will rollout. Phase 1 (the present) During Phase 1, non-essential businesses were not broadly closed, but they were required to enforce physical distancing rules. Child-care remained open, but only for the children of essential workers. Schools closed, with classes taking place online. Certain business types, including pubs, restaurants and personal services providers, such as hair salons, were ordered to close by the provincial health officer. Phase 2 Phase 2 is likely to begin in the middle of this month, said Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer. During Phase 2, elective surgeries will resume. Provincial parks will be open for day use, but not for camping. Salons, more stores and service providers, such as dentists and chiropractors, will be allowed to operate, but they will have to work with WorkSafeBC, the provincial occupational health and safety body.
Restaurants and bars will be required as an industry to work with provincial health officials on how to reopen safely. Phase 3 Phase 3 will be introduced when it is clear to public health officials that COVID-19 is not spreading in an uncontrollable way with the Phase 2 rules in place. Camping will resume, spas and non-medical massage providers can resume operating, movie theatres can operate, and film and TV production can restart. Hotels and resorts can also start accepting guests. Phase 4 Few details were given for Phase 4, which Horgan said will not be introduced until a vaccine or COVID-19 treatment is available. Phase 4 would include large concerts and conventions.