According to Dr. Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry, the restrictions that have put British Columbians severely restricting their interactions for months may be eased in the coming weeks.
In a press conference on Monday (March 8) announcing more than 1,400 new cases over the weekend, Henry said that with more vaccines approved and the vaccination program ramped up, restrictions could be reconsidered in the spring.
“In the coming weeks we can look at this changed return of some of the activities that were interrupted in the past winter months,” she said.
“We hope that sports and religious ceremonies will return in the coming weeks.”
Henry said health provincials are working with religious leaders to bring back personal worship, but cautioned that it would be a gradual approach.
There are several religious holidays coming up, including Easter, Passover, Vaisakhi and Ramadan.
“How do we make sure people can celebrate these things safely? And yes, that’s our plan, ”she said, but noted that BC is still in the middle of a pandemic.
“It may not be what Easter celebrations were in the past, but they will be celebrations. When things don’t get out of hand, we plan for them to be personal. “
Henry said when the weather gets warmer and people can spend more time outside, gatherings may return.
“What we see when we go into March Break, Spring Break, and this week by the end of this week is the return of things like outside gatherings where it is safer, outside activities that we can work with in groups, precautions in place” said Henry.
“Small groups we can do for games, summer camps, spring camps, and safe small groups with masks and safety precautions.”
However, she warned that it was not yet time for major events and gatherings.
“We’ll be in a very different place when we start summer,” she said.
“[But] We are not yet in a place to return to our pre-pandemic gatherings. “
Henry also said the province is looking at how safely traveling within BC can return.
“The risk is different in different communities in this province and we need to be aware of that.”
READ MORE: BC’s COVID-19 Cases: 545 Saturday, 532 Sunday, 385 Monday
@ Katslepian
katya.slepian@bpdigital.ca
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