Restrictions on Gatherings and Events to be lifted late Wednesday as Province announces latest COVID response

Doctor Bonnie Henry announced the first steps towards removing
some of the current Public Health Orders and Measures on Tuesday

Noting of the steps that British Columbians have taken to protect themselves from COVID-19, the Province of British Columbia relaxed a few of their Public Health Orders today, with Restrictions on Capacity limits for Social Gatherings and Events to be removed as of Wednesday, February 16 at 11:59 PM.

Calling it an exciting and positive milestone, Doctor Bonnie Henry outlined the progress to date and the path ahead as the Province sets a timeline through to April for review of many other elements of the Public Health orders and COVID Response.

The province will be shifting its response to a sustainable long term focus transitioning to recovery from the virus.

Doctor Henry made note of the strong vaccination program that the province has realized, something that will allow British Columbians to continue to navigate the virus in the weeks and months ahead.

Towards the path ahead the Doctor observed of the need for a balance and incremental easing of restrictions, while noting that some measures and orders will remain in place, with those measures to be reviewed prior to Spring Break and then prior to Easter.

Protective measures will remain in place for the short term, included on the list, the use of Masks in indoor, spaces, the use of the BC Vaccine card and COVID Safety plans, though the first of the measures to see restrictions remove were also part of the explanation from Doctor Henry.

Some protective measures remain in place and they will be reviewed as early as March 15th and then again prior to Easter. 

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The main themes of today's announcement on lifting of the Social Gathering and Events restrictions can be explored further here.

As for the information session, Health Minister Adrian Dix followed up with a review of the current status of Rapid Testing  and the testing program moving forward, along with a range of Health Care themes, including the volume of staff absences in health care.

He also outlined the current level of surgical postponement, with three procedures cancelled in the Northern Health Service Region.

The session wrapped up with Premier Horgan, Minister Dix and Doctor Henry taking questions from the media.

Among some of he questions why is British Columbia continuing to hold off on the elimination of the vaccine card program while other provinces appear ready to bring that program to an end.

The Premier noting that he believes British Columbians want the government to chart a BC course based on the success of the province's approach to COVID and the personal actions that British Columbians have taken.

Doctor Henry noted how British Columbians have become comfortable with mask wearing and how she doesn't anticipate any issues related towards mask enforcement in the province.

She also observed how she doesn't see a future with a return to  wide societal measures unless something unexpected from the virus comes along to change that perception, noting how risk awareness will be the focus for the path forward.

Doctor Henry also relayed a range of familiar measures as staying home when sick, hand washing, covering your mouth when coughing, mask wearing if required all as ways to reduce transmission and things to be reinforced during higher transmission periods.

Premier Horgan spoke to a question related to the current climate of protest in the province and nation and if the moves may not embolden those who remain against any ongoing measures.

He observed how the decisions of today was planned well previous to any protests or horn honking in the streets, calling them temporary measures that would be revised prior to the Family Day long weekend which is what the province has done, basing their decision on science.

He also expanded on recent events noting of the situation in Ottawa and the seizure of weapons in Alberta which he described as disturbing for all Canadians.

On the prospect of living with the virus over time, Doctor Henry observed of the down side of opening things up but added that a balance of societal impacts was required, something which has led to the process towards the relaxation of measures now underway in the province

As to why there is growing confidence for the future, the Doctor observed over growing levels of immunity, the vaccination program which has been important for longer term protection, as well as new solutions and approaches that are becoming better understood.

She also spoke of waves and troughs of COVID ahead, likely to have different impacts in different years depending on how much the virus changes over time.

As for any changes in the Education setting,  it was observed that the Minister of Education would be addressing those themes in the near future to address risk but return to a more normal experience. 

Doctor Henry, observed of the continued desire to see the vaccination rate increase for school age children to help return to the more normal activities and normalize their experiences.

You an review the full presentation below:

A look back at the past announcements and themes of the COVID response can be reviewed from our archive page here.