On May 25, 2021, British Columbia announced their four-step provincewide reopening plan entitled ‘BC’s Restart’.
BC’s reopening plan entered its first step on the same day it was announced.
The province will progress through the steps based on increasing vaccination rates, and declining COVID-19 case counts, hospitalizations, and deaths.
BC has also extended the current provincial state of emergency to June 8, 2021.
This blog details the restrictions in each step relevant to small businesses. The four steps are as follows:
Step 1: Started May 25
- The criteria for the first step was that at least 60% of the province’s population should have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations should also be stable.
- A gradual return to workplaces may start in Step 1.
- Restaurants, bars, and pubs, as well as indoor fitness facilities, are to return to the safety protocols in place before the circuit breaker restrictions.
- Existing safety protocols remain in place for other sectors, including schools and daycares.
- Provincewide mask mandate, business safety protocols, and physical distancing measures stay in place.
Step Two: Mid-June (June 15 – earliest date)
- 65% of the adult population should have received the first vaccine dose.
- Cases and hospitalizations should be declining.
- Maximum of 50 people for seated indoor organized gatherings (banquet halls, movie theatres, live theatre) with safety protocols.
- Provincewide mask mandate, business safety protocols, and physical distancing measures remain in place.
- Provincial travel restrictions will be lifted. Recreational travel within BC to be allowed.
- Continued return to the workplace, with small, in-person meetings allowed.
- Existing safety protocols remain in place for other sectors, including schools and daycares
Safety and health protocols such as mask wearing, and physical distancing are mandatory during Step 1 and 2.
Step Three: Early July (July 1 – earliest date)
- The criteria for the third step is that 70% of the adult population should have received the first dose. Cases should be low and hospitalizations declining.
- Provincial state of emergency and public health emergency will be lifted.
- Nightclubs and casinos will reopen with capacity limits and safety plans.
- There will be new public health and workplace guidance around PPE, physical distancing, and business protocols.
Step Four: Early September (Sept 7 – earliest date)
- The criteria for the fourth step is that more than 70% of the adult population has received the first dose. Cases and hospitalizations are low and stable.
- Workplaces can fully reopen
- Increased capacity at large organized gatherings
- Businesses operating with new safety plans
Need support navigating business issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our experts can help you develop company policies as well as with any other HR, health and safety, or employment advice you need. See how we have helped other small and medium businesses get their business compliant with provincial legislation.
