Vancouver, March 11: British Columbia is marking a major milestone in the return to pre-pandemic normalcy in the province, after years of COVID-19 restrictions.
B.C. health officials lifted the mask mandate again Friday, as a result of declining infections and hospitalizations.
Face coverings will no longer be required in a broad range of indoor environments, but are still being recommended in some places.
“I’ll continue to wear my mask if I’m on public transit and I would encourage others to do so too. We know it protects us, but it’s also a sign of respect of protection for others,” said Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry in a press conference Thursday.
Henry says it’s still best to wear a mask in spaces where it’s difficult to distance from others.
“It’s a matter of time and space, and how close we are to people,” Henry said. “So let’s continue to be respectful, recognize that some people will need to continue to wear masks, and it will be important for them and that we should keep a respectful distance for people so that we’re not crowding them.”
Masks will not be required on public transit or BC Ferries, but TransLink is still requiring them on HandyDART for now.
“The provincial health officer still requires masks in medical settings and many customers using this service are travelling to and from medical appointments,” wrote TransLink in a release.
The majority of commuters at Braid Station in New Westminster were still wearing masks Friday morning.
“I still want to be safe. I’m double vaxxed, but I still want to be safe. I’m 62 years old and don’t want to get sick,” said Harun from Port Coquitlam as he left the station.
Kelly from Coquitam said she plans on wearing her mask for a little while longer too.
“It’s been two years wearing a mask. So it’s just sort of like automatic,” she said as she entered the SkyTrain station.
“I was surprised, actually, when I got on the bus and I looked around and there were so many people with masks still on. I thought, ‘Well, that’s cool,’” she said.
Face coverings will also remain mandatory at doctors’ offices, patient contact areas, and federally-regulated workplaces.
Businesses and organizations can make their own rules.
“I can tell you less than five per cent of stores will keep their mask mandate,” said Greg Wilson of the Retail Council of Canada.
“I imagine those that do keep the rules are small in size where it’s difficult distancing or there’s immunocompromised people working.”
Henry is recommending those who are older, immune-compromised, don’t have a booster, or have kids who are unvaccinated continue masking especially in large indoor group settings.
Mask requirements are being dropped in schools after spring break and dates vary.
The B.C. Teachers’ Federation says it would’ve liked to have seen the mandate lifted after all students were on break to avoid confusion.
“Only 30 per cent five- to 11-year-olds are fully vaccinated across the province that is a very low number. And that number really hasn’t improved, particularly,” said Teri Mooring of the BC Teachers’ Federation.
B.C. travellers will have to keep their masks if heading to Vancouver International Airport for a spring break vacation.
Face coverings are still mandatory inside the airport and on planes because those are federally regulated spaces.
Proof of vaccination continues to be required for all air travel as well.
