BC COVID-19 Restrictions Are Eased But You'll Need Your Vaccine Passport Until The Summer
It may end sooner if "we are in a better place."
COVID-19 restrictions in B.C. have been eased, but you will still need to bring your vaccine passport with you until the end of June if you're accessing most indoor places, going to restaurants, and attending most events.
On Tuesday, Dr. Bonnie Henry gave the province an update on COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.
She outlined the risks of not being vaccinated, and said that the government will be extending the vaccine card program through to June 30. It applies to people over the age of 12.
Although Dr. Henry gave this date, she added that there is a chance of it coming to an end sooner.
"If we are in a better place before June 30 however, we will look to make adjustments early," she said.
She also said that the vaccine passport in B.C. has allowed for the province to keep "certain businesses and activities open during the period of the pandemic."
Once the province is able to move through the pandemic period though, Dr. Henry said that she expects it won't be necessary anymore. But for now, she said, "it is one of those important tools."
While the vaccine passport is still in effect, other restrictions are being eased.
A press release from the B.C. government said that on February 1, children and youth sports tournaments are going to be able to resume. Adult tournaments are still banned though.
As of Tuesday, January 25, 89.6% of those eligible in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 83.6% have received their second dose.