Horgan reveals plan for B.C.’s reopening

“We’re going to get through this, we’re going to come back even stronger. Together, we can build back B.C. better than ever,” Horgan said. (File photo: John Horgan/Facebook)

More activities, which were banned since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are expected to be allowed soon in British Columbia, as its government plans to safely reopen the province starting this month.

The plan for the relaxing of some of its coronavirus restrictions was announced by Premier John Horgan on Wednesday, May 6.

“British Columbians have made enormous sacrifices so far, and it’s thanks to them that we’re able to begin to lift some restrictions,” Horgan said.

“We’ll allow activities to resume as the evidence and experts tell us it is appropriate to do so. By moving carefully and deliberately, we will help British Columbians get to a ‘new normal,’ where more of our social and economic life can resume,” he added.

Horgan said B.C. is currently in Phase 1 of the restart plan. Phase 2 will be implemented in mid-May.

Under Phase 2, British Columbians will be allowed to have “small” social gatherings as long as they observe physical distancing. The premier stressed that large gatherings are still prohibited, saying that “groups [with] larger than 50 [people] give the virus an opportunity to re-emerge.” They will also be allowed to visit provincial parks during the day in a safe manner.

Elective surgeries and regulated health services like dentistry, chiropractic, physiotherapy, and in-person counseling will also resume. Retail businesses, including hair salons, restaurants, and pubs, have to work with WorkSafeBC to develop plans for reopening.

“Any business restarting their operations must ensure that they are in compliance with the public health officers’ orders and in line with the safety guidelines produced by the WorkSafeBC,” Horgan said.

B.C. will also be expanding access to child care and in-class learning for K-12 students. The premier explained that they are not forcing students to come back to school as parents were expressing concern about their kids’ safety, but he assured that “students whose families need to have kids in class will have that opportunity.”

Apart from these, Horgan said the legislature will be recalled “in the next number of weeks.”

Meanwhile, Phase 3 is expected to be enforced between June and September. By this time, more businesses and services will be allowed to operate with strict safety protocols if the province’s transmission rates won’t further go up.

“If we’re doing well and we see more opportunities, we’ll be opening up more businesses like parks with camping, film and television production, movie theatres, personal services like spas, and hotels,” Horgan said.

For Phase 4, the premier noted that it will only be enacted if there is a vaccine, treatment for COVID-19, or “community immunity.” Until one of these happens, Horgan said B.C. will not be hosting rock concerts, conventions, or any other large gatherings of over 50 people.

“We’re going to get through this, we’re going to come back even stronger. Together, we can build back B.C. better than ever,” Horgan said.

As of posting, B.C. has recorded more than 2,200 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of that number, more than 1,400 have fully recovered from the disease.