The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn – May 26, 2021
Hope as B.C. reopens businesses
Stephen Quinn interviews Sharon Bonner, CEO & Founder of Bright Ideas Event Agency on what her view is of the 4 Stage approach to the BC province reopening. To listen to the interview, click on the link below.
Understanding the plan
BC’s Restart is a careful, four-step plan to bring B.C. back together. Starting May 25, we can gradually begin to restart our important social connections, businesses and activities. Getting vaccinated is the most important tool supporting our restart.
How we move through the steps
To move through the steps, we’re looking for:
Step 1: Starting May 25
The criteria for Step 1 is at least 60% of the 18+ population vaccinated with dose 1, along with stable case counts and COVID-19 hospitalizations.
PHO guidance
- Physical distancing and masks continue to be required in public indoor settings
- If you or anyone in your family feels sick stay home and get tested immediately
| Activities | New things you can do |
|---|---|
| Personal gatherings | Outdoor personal gatherings up to 10 peopleIndoor personal gatherings up to 5 people or 1 other householdExamples of a personal gathering include having friends over to your house or meeting up with friends at a park. |
| Organized gatherings | Outdoor seated organized gatherings up to 50 people with a COVID-19 Safety PlanIndoor seated organized gatherings up to 10 people with a COVID-19 Safety PlanWork with faith-based leaders to bring back in-person worship servicesExamples of an organized gathering include wedding ceremonies or funerals. |
| Travel | Recreational travel within your travel region allowedNon-essential travel between travel regions continues to be restricted |
| Businesses | Indoor and outdoor dining for groups up to 6 people (not restricted to your household or bubble)Liquor served until 10 pm |
| Offices and workplaces | Start a gradual return to workplacesEmployers must continue to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and daily health check in place |
| Sports and exercise | Indoor low intensity group exercise allowed with limited capacityOutdoor games and practices for both adults and youth group/team sports allowedNo spectators at any indoor or outdoor sport activities |
Step 2: Earliest start date June 15
The criteria for moving to Step 2 is at least 65% of the 18+ population vaccinated with dose 1, along with declining case counts and COVID-19 hospitalizations.
The earliest date we move to Step 2 is June 15.
PHO guidance
- Physical distancing and masks continue to be required in public indoor settings
- If you or anyone in your family feels sick stay home and get tested immediately
| Activities | New things you can do |
|---|---|
| Personal gatherings | Outdoor personal gatherings up to 50 people (birthday parties, backyard BBQs, block parties)Playdates |
| Organized gatherings | Indoor seated organized gatherings up to 50 people with a COVID-19 Safety PlanConsultation with the sector begins for next steps on indoor and outdoor organized gatherings. |
| Travel | Provincial travel restrictions liftedRecreational travel within B.C. allowedBC Transit and BC Ferries offers increased service as needed |
| Businesses | Liquor served until midnightBanquet halls can operate with limited capacity and a COVID-19 Safety PlanConsultation with sector associations begins for next steps on easing restrictions. |
| Offices and workplaces | Continued return to the workplaceSmall, in-person meetings allowed |
| Sports and exercise | Indoor high intensity group exercise allowed with reduced capacityIndoor games and practices for both adults and youth group/team sports allowedNo spectators at any indoor sport activitiesOutdoor spectators up to 50 allowed |
Step 3: Earliest start date July 1
The criteria for moving to Step 3 is at least 70% of the 18+ population vaccinated with dose 1, along with low case counts and declining COVID-19 hospitalizations.
The earliest date we move to Step 3 is July 1.
PHO guidance
- Masks are recommended in public indoor settings
- Engage in careful social contact
- If you or anyone in your family feels sick stay home and get tested immediately
| Activities | New things you can do |
|---|---|
| Personal gatherings | Return to usual for indoor and outdoor personal gatheringsSleepovers |
| Organized gatherings | Increased capacity at both indoor and outdoor organized gatherings with a COVID-19 Safety Plan in placeFairs and festivals can operate with a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place |
| Travel | Canada-wide recreational travel |
| Businesses | No group limit for indoor and outdoor diningLiquor service restrictions liftedBingo halls, casinos and nightclubs can operate with a limited capacityBusinesses must operate based on a new sector COVID-19 Safety Plan. |
| Offices and workplaces | Continued return to the workplaceSeminars and bigger meetings allowedWorkplaces must operate based on a new sector COVID-19 Safety Plan. |
| Sports and exercise | All indoor fitness classes allowed, usual capacityLimited indoor spectators allowed |
Step 4: Earliest start date September 7
The criteria for moving to Step 4 is more than 70% of the 18+ population vaccinated with dose 1, along with low case counts and low COVID-19 hospitalizations.
The earliest date we move to Step 4 is September 7.
PHO guidance
- Masks in public indoor settings a personal choice
- Normal social contact
- If you or anyone in your family feels sick stay home and get tested immediately
| Activities | New things you can do |
|---|---|
| Personal gatherings | Return to normal personal gatherings and social contact |
| Organized gatherings | Increased capacity at large organized gatherings, like a concert |
| Travel | Canada-wide recreational travel |
| Businesses | Businesses will continue to operate based on the new COVID-19 safety guidelines and their updated COVID-19 Safety Plan |
| Offices and workplaces | Workplaces fully reopened |
| Sports and exercise | Return to normal sport competitions with an updated COVID-19 Safety Plan in placeIncreased outdoor and indoor spectators |
