On May 25^th, the Province announced an extensive four-step plan to gradually lift COVID-19 health restrictions. The progress of the Restart plan will be measured by the vaccination rate of adults, COVID-19 case counts, and COVID-19 hospitalizations and mortality rate. While there are dates outlined for each of the four steps, the plan will be guided by data, not dates.

Restaurants, bars, and indoor fitness facilities are to return to the existing safety protocols that were in place prior to the circuit breaker restrictions. Provincial travel restrictions will continue to be enforced until step two of the four-step plan.

Highlights of the Restart Plan include:

Step 1: May 25  

• Vaccination criteria: minimum 60% of adult population with first dose

• Outdoors: 10 people maximum for personal gatherings and 50 people maximum for seated outdoor organized gatherings with safety protocols

• Indoors: 5 visitors or 1 household maximum for personal gatherings and 10 people maximum for seated indoor organized gatherings with safety protocols

• Recreational travel within health region allowed

• Start a gradual return to workplaces with safety protocols

• Continuation of province wide mask mandate. Physical distancing measures remain in place

Step 2: Mid-June (Earliest start date: June 15)

• Vaccination criteria: minimum 65% of adult population with first dose

• Outdoors: 50 people maximum for personal gatherings

• Indoors: 50 people maximum for seated indoor organized gatherings with safety protocols

• Provincial travel restrictions lifted

• Maintain province wide mask mandate. Business safety protocols and physical distancing measures remain in place

Step 3: Early July (Earliest start date: July 1)

• Vaccination criteria: minimum 70% of adult population with first dose

• Provincial state of emergency and public health emergency lifted

• Increased capacity for personal and organized indoor and outdoor gatherings, with safety plans

• Canada-wide recreational travel

• Masks recommended in indoor public settings

• New public health and workplace guidance around personal protective equipment, physical distancing and business protocols

Step 4: Early September (Earliest start date: Sept. 7)

• Vaccination criteria: minimum 70% of adult population with first dose

• Returning to normal personal gatherings and social contact

• Increased capacity at larger organized gatherings

• Masks now a personal choice in public indoor settings

• Workplaces fully reopened and businesses operating with new safety plans

For more information about BC’s Restart Plan, visit the Government of BC website.

For the Government of BC’s Restart Plan News Release, click here.