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
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.