Updated: April 19, 2022
Proof of vaccination is no longer required to access businesses, events and services in B.C.
The provincial proof of vaccination requirement has been lifted
There is no Provincial Health Officer order requiring events, services or businesses to check proof of vaccination.
Individual businesses and event organizers may continue to require proof of vaccination for entry to their premises. It’s important that we respect the choices of people, businesses and one another. More info here.
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Updated: March 10, 2022
Upcoming changes to restrictions
Starting March 11, 2022 at 12:01 am, because of B.C.’s lowered hospitalization and transmission rates, these activities can return to normal:
- Masks no longer required in public indoor settings under a public health order
- Masks are encouraged on public transit and BC Ferries, but not required
- Individual businesses and event organizers can choose to continue requiring masks on their premises
- Masks are still required for federally regulated travel, like air travel
- No restrictions on worship service capacity
- Overnight camps for children and youth allowed
By March 18, there will be no visitor limits at long-term care and seniors’ assisted living facilities.
When K to 12 schools return from spring break, masks will no longer be required for students, staff and visitors.
On April 8, 2022 at 12:01 am, further restrictions will be lifted:
- Proof of vaccination will no longer be required to access businesses, events and services
- Individual businesses and event organizers can choose to continue requiring proof of vaccination for entry
- Proof of vaccination is still required for federally regulated travel, like air travel
- Businesses will no longer need a COVID-19 safety plan. They must follow communicable disease guidance from WorkSafeBC
- Proof of vaccination will no longer be required for post-secondary student housing
PHO order on masks in public indoor settings
Masks are required in all public indoor settings for all people born in 2017 or earlier (5+).
This includes:
- Grocery and liquor stores
- Airports
- Coffee shops
- On public transportation, in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle
- Libraries
- Clothing and retail stores
- Places of worship, including congregants and choirs
- Malls and shopping centres
- Areas of office buildings where services to the public are provided
- Common areas of sport and fitness centres when not engaged in physical activity
- Common areas of post-secondary institutions and non-profit organizations
- Inside schools, including all K to 12 students and staff
- Drug stores
- Community centres
- Recreation centres
- City Halls
- Restaurants, pubs and bars when not seated at a table
- Events happening under the Gatherings and Events order
- People with health conditions or with physical, cognitive or mental impairments who cannot wear one
- People who cannot remove a mask on their own
- Children under the age of 5
- People who need to remove their masks to communicate due to another person’s hearing impairment
A face shield is not a substitute for a mask as it has an opening below the mouth.
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Updated: December 29, 2021
Vaccine safety and eligibility
Health Canada has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty mRNA vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. All COVID-19 vaccines for adults and children follow the same review and approval process.
For more info, Click here.
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Updated: December 24, 2021
Provincial restrictions are in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The restrictions are made by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) under the Public Health Act.
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Updated: December 17, 2021
New province-wide restrictions starting December 20
To help keep B.C. safe, the PHO has introduced province-wide restrictions. They will be in effect December 20, 2021 to January 31, 2022.
If all participants are vaccinated as determined by the worship service leader, there are no capacity restrictions on worship services and choirs.
If participants are not all vaccinated, worship services and choirs are limited to 50% seated capacity.
Masks are required but can be temporarily removed for ceremonial eating and drinking, and by officiants, readers or for singing a solo where physical distancing is observed.
For more information:
New province-wide restriction starting December 20, 2021
Restrictions for Worship Services
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Updated: December 1, 2021
Some provincial restrictions remain in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The restrictions are made by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) under the Public Health Act. Regional restrictions may be in place for health authorities with lower vaccination rates.
For more information:
Provincial and regional restrictions – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
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Updates: November 17, 2021
The BC Vaccine Card is required to access some events, services and businesses in B.C.
Get your card today.
Click here for the latest update.
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Updated: September 28, 2021
Proof of vaccination and the BC Vaccine Card
Starting September 13, you need proof of vaccination to access some events, services and businesses. The easiest way to show proof is using the BC Vaccine Card.
Get the BC Vaccine Card
You can save the digital version to your phone or tablet or print a paper copy to carry in your wallet. Both options are accepted everywhere.
Click the link below for more info:
Proof of vaccination and the BC Vaccine Card – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
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Updated: August 24, 2021
Understand the plan
BC’s Restart is a careful, four-step plan to bring B.C. back together. 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:
- Declining COVID-19 case counts
- Increasing vaccination rate in people 18+
- Declining COVID-19 hospitalizations, including critical care
- Declining COVID-19 mortality rate
BC’s Restart Plan, CLICK HERE
COVID-19 updates, CLICK HERE.
Province wide restrictions, CLICK HERE.
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Updated: August 19, 2021
Understand the plan
BC’s Restart is a careful, four-step plan to bring B.C. back together. 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:
- Declining COVID-19 case counts
- Increasing vaccination rate in people 18+
- Declining COVID-19 hospitalizations, including critical care
- Declining COVID-19 mortality rate
We are in Step 3
The criteria for Step 3 is at least 70% of the 18+ population vaccinated with dose 1, along with low case counts and declining COVID-19 hospitalizations. In Step 3, all sectors will transition to using communicable disease prevention guidance from WorkSafeBC.
Mask guidance
Masks are recommended in indoor public places for all people 12 and older who are not yet fully vaccinated. The mask mandate order under the Emergency Program Act was lifted July 1.
- You’re fully vaccinated 14 days after dose 2
- Masks are optional for children aged 2 to 12
- Children under 2 should not wear masks
- Proof of vaccination does not need to be requested by service providers
- Some people may choose to continue to wear a mask after they’re fully vaccinated and that’s okay
PHO guidance
- Increased social contact
- If you or anyone in your family feels sick stay home and get tested immediately
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
Click here: BC’s Restart Plan
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Updated: July 1, 2021
Understand 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.
B.C. is moving to Step 3 of the province’s COVID-19 restart plan on July 1st.
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. In Step 3, all sectors will transition to using communicable disease prevention guidance from WorkSafeBC.
More information on BC’S RESTART PLAN
COVID-19 updates, CLICK HERE.
Province wide restrictions, CLICK HERE.