Phase 3 of B.C.’s COVID-19 re-opening starts now

As expected, Premier John Horgan announced that the next step in opening B.C. up from its COVID-19 lockdown has started today.

That means he’s encouraging B.C. residents to take vacations throughout the province.

“Although we’re going to have a summer that’s better than we might have thought a few months ago, this is not a return to normal,” Horgan said at a news briefing. “As you interact with other people, you need to keep track of that. Be mindful of who you are around. Be mindful of what you do.”

It also means hotels, movie theatres, parks and the film industry can gradually re-open.

But, he stressed, this is not the year to have big family reunions at cottages.

“We would not make these recommendations if we were not confident that we’ve put the things in place that we need to be safe,” Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said during the briefing today, June 24.

But, she stressed, safe distancing, hand hygiene, staying home when sick and wearing masks when necessary are still needed.

They both encouraged people to keep track of their contacts as they travel and to be respectful of communities they go to as some small and/or remote communities are not yet ready to welcome visitors.

Horgan also welcomed visitors from other provinces.

Still closed are sports and entertainment venues, casinos and gatherings of more than 50 people, whether those be funerals, weddings or entertainment. Those are part of Phase 4 of any re-opening, which may not be for months and may have to wait until a vaccine is found and widely available.

The premier also extended the provincial state of emergency until July 7.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submitphotos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.