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B.C. will be moving into step three of its reopening plan on July 1, bringing with it the most dramatic change in COVID-19 regulations since early in the pandemic.
Masks will no longer be mandatory in indoor public places, attendance limits for events indoor and outside are significantly increased, restrictions on indoor dining are gone.
“After the longest public emergency in Canadian history, I believe it is safe to take the next step forward,” said Premier John Horgan Tuesday, flanked by a variety of ministers and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Dr. Henry said stellar vaccination rates — 78% of adults with one dose — have pushed case counts to the floor with just 29 announced Tuesday.
She said the province no longer needs most orders or restrictions, which are being replaced by recommendations instead.
Key prongs in what Horgan and the province call Step 3 are:
• shifting from requiring mask wearing in indoor public spaces to recommending that they be worn;
• allowing all indoor fitness classes;
• allowing some indoor spectators at sporting events;
• ending size restrictions for indoor and outdoor personal gatherings;
• increasing capacity at indoor and outdoor organized gatherings;
• allowing fairs and festivals to operate;
• allowing Canada-wide travel;
• ending group-size restrictions at restaurants;
• lifting liquor-service restrictions;
• allowing casinos and nightclubs to operate with limited capacity;
• allowing business seminars; and
• allowing kids’ sleepovers, according to the B.C. government’s website.
Dr. Henry clarified that venue capacity limits have been increased to either 50 people, or 50% of the venue’s capacity. That means that if a venue can hold 60 people, the limit would be 50 people. If the venue can host 500 people, the new capacity limit would be 250.
The fourth, and final, step in the province’s reopening is slated to go into effect no earlier than September 7. This step would involve the province allowing increased capacity at large organized gatherings, such as at concerts.
with files from Glen Korstrom
