Expect to start seeing a lot more faces in public, starting on Friday.
On Thursday, B.C. public health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that the provincial face covering order will be repealed at 12:01 a.m. on Friday. Masks will still be required in health-care settings, physicians’ offices and patient contact areas.
In addition, orders limiting capacity at faith services and overnight child and youth camps end on Friday. Orders restricting visitors to long-term care facilities end on March 18.
"We are progressing well, and going in the right direction," Henry said. "Together we have done what is right, at the right time."
COVID-19 transmission and hospitalizations are down across the province, she said. Hospital admissions for COVID-19 are down roughly 34 per cent, compared to a month ago.
New guidelines will also come into effect for childcare facilities. New, less restrictive, rules at schools will come into effect when students return after spring break on March 28.
On April 8 at 12:01 a.m., British Columbians will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination at restaurants and other indoor venues. B.C. businesses will transition from COVID-19 safety plans to communicable disease plans on the same day.
"The actions we have taken here in British Columbia... means we have fared well compared to other jurisdictions in Canada and the world," Henry said. "We are one of the most vaccinated jurisdictions in the world."
People with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine are less likely to get infected, less likely to get severely sick and less likely to spread COVID to others, Henry said.
Henry encouraged British Columbians to continue to be understanding, and that some individuals and businesses may not be comfortable going without masks.
"Masks continue to be encouraged where we have to be close to people, But they are no longer mandated under an order," she said. "I recognize the changes we are making today will make some people uncomfortable. I want to ensure people... these decisions are grounded in the science and data we have."
The province and world "isn't out of the woods just yet," and Henry said if circumstances change some public health measures may need be brought back.
"We are learning to live with it in a more sustainable way. (But) we need to be ready and prepared for what the virus brings next."
