Majority of B.C. residents would be happy to see return of mask mandate

The majority of British Columbians support the return of mask mandates if COVID-19 case numbers increase.

A recent poll from the Angus Reid Institute found that 52 per cent of B.C. residents would be happy for their provincial government to reintroduce a mask mandate, even if they currently rarely wear a mask.

Across the country, the poll found that one-quarter of people who "never" wear a mask would be happy to see a mask mandate come back, while two-thirds of Canadians who rarely but sometimes wear one would support a return to mandatory masking.

"As immune-evasive Omicron variants spread, and influenza and respiratory illnesses cause problems for health-care providers across the country, some have speculated that mask mandates may be needed to curb infection," an Angus Reid media release says.

While there is a strong desire to mandate masks again, the same can't be said for vaccine passports with only 22 per cent of British Columbians in favour of their reintroduction.

In B.C., 37 per cent of people say they never wear a mask which is on par with Ontario, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and in contrast to Alberta and Saskatchewan where 58 per cent and 59 per cent respectively, say they never wear a mask.

While the majority of B.C. residents support the return of mask mandates almost half the population (49 per cent) say they rarely think about COVID anymore.

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