COVID-19 recovery: Here are the rules that will be lifted under Step 2 of B.C.'s restart plan
With weekly COVID-19 case averages still falling in B.C. and vaccination rates rising, residents in the province might be wondering when more restrictions will lift.
The very earliest restrictions will ease further is June 15, which is when the province might enter Step 2 of its COVID-19 recovery plan.
Health officials in B.C. have been cautious to not promise restrictions will lift on that date, saying vaccination rates must increase and case counts must continue to fall.
But during Thursday's COVID-19 briefing, Health Minister Adrian Dix said he, Premier John Horgan and Dr. Bonnie Henry will "be addressing issues on Monday around Step 1 and Step 2."
Henry also presented the latest modelling data on Thursday and said it shows B.C. "will be in a good position to continue safely moving forward with our restart plan."
So if the province enters Step 2 next week, what does that mean? The following are the guidelines the province said would be part of Step 2 when B.C.'s recovery plan was first released on May 25.
New rules for gatherings
In Step 2, rules for personal indoor gatherings don't change. The same rules from Step 1 will apply: up to five visitors are allowed at a personal residence.
However, the province says rules for outdoor personal gatherings will shift. In Step 1, only gatherings of up to 10 people are permitted. But in Step 2, outdoor personal gatherings can have up to 50 people. Those can include birthdays, backyard barbecues and block parties, the province says.
As well, playdates are encouraged.
For organized events, indoor seated gatherings of up to 50 people are permitted with a COVID-19 safety plan in place. In Step 1, those gatherings – unless it’s a religious worship service – are limited to 10 people.
Local travel restrictions ease
Under Step 1, B.C. residents are encouraged to travel within their health region only. But under Step 2, provincial travel restrictions will lift, allowing residents to travel recreationally throughout B.C.
The province says transit services, including BC Ferries, will increase their operations as needed.
New guidelines for restaurants and workplaces
Starting in Step 2, restaurants and bars will be allowed to serve liquor until midnight, instead of until 10 p.m.
Banquet halls will also be allowed to operate with limited capacity and with a COVID-19 safety plan in place. Health officials say they'll start consulting with that sector to come up with next steps on easing restrictions.
For other workplaces, a gradual return to work will continue and small in-person meetings will be permitted in Step 2.
Sports and recreation
When Step 1 began in B.C., indoor low-intensity group exercise and outdoor games and practices were permitted.
In Step 2, indoor high-intensity group fitness will be allowed with reduced capacity and indoor games and practices for both adults and youth can be held. Spectators won't be allowed at indoor games, but as many as 50 people can watch outdoor games.
"Step 2 is coming up. And so far, the data that we have is supporting that we can go there," Henry said Thursday.
"I'm confident that we can take this step, as long as we increase our contacts in a slow, and measured way, we register and get fully vaccinated, we use our layers of protection and continue to support one another with kindness and compassion."
After entering Step 2, the earliest more restrictions will ease is July 1. That will include removing the mask mandate and instead making masks recommended in indoor public settings, increasing indoor social gatherings, removing group size limits at restaurants and reopening casinos and nightclubs.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.