By Camille Aubin
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Having seen a reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases in the province over the past few weeks, British Columbians can now gather in larger groups and enjoy the summer season since the transition to Phase Three of the deconfinement plan started on July 1.

B.C. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a lifting of the state of emergency that has been in place since March 18, 2020. However, the police will maintain the authority to issue tickets related to health matters.

“British Columbians have stepped up at every stage throughout this pandemic,” said B.C. Premier John Horgan in the announcement. “We’ve helped our neighbours stay safe, we’ve sacrificed time with friends and family and we have diligently registered to get vaccinated. We’ve now reached a point in our vaccination efforts when we can begin to remove restrictions. Let’s continue to respect everyone’s comfort level as we safely take another step toward putting this pandemic behind us.”

Bingo halls, casinos and nightclubs reopened on July 1 with reduced capacities and with specific regulations. In restaurants, bars, and stores, alcoholic drinks are permitted until midnight. Beginning in September 2020, the sale of alcohol had been prohibited after 10 p.m. There is no limit to how many people can sit at the same table in restaurants, but indoor gatherings are not to exceed 50 per cent of the room’s capacity.

“Step Three is a major milestone for British Columbians,” said Ravi Kahlon, provincial Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation in the announcement. “We can now resume more of the activities and occasions we enjoy, workplaces and businesses will have more flexibility, and it opens the door for more economic activity as we transition into summer. We are able to take this step because of the work everyone is doing to keep themselves and each other safe.”

The following is also a part of moving from Step Two to Step Three: return to normal for indoor and outdoor personal gatherings; maximum capacity for indoor organized gatherings of 50 people or up to 50 per cent of a venue’s total capacity, whichever is greater; maximum capacity for outdoor organized gatherings of 5,000 people or up to 50 per cent of a venue’s total capacity, whichever is greater; return to normal for fairs, festivals and trade shows, with communicable disease plans; return to Canada-wide recreational travel; reopening of casinos, with reduced capacity and roughly 50 per cent of gaming stations permitted to open; reopening of nightclubs, with up to 10 people seated at tables, although no socializing between tables and no dancing; return to normal hours for liquor service at restaurants, bars and pubs with table limits to be determined by venue and no socializing between tables; return to normal for sports and exercise facilities, with communicable disease plans; and mask wearing is recommended in indoor public spaces for all people 12+ who are not fully vaccinated.

“Because of the efforts of people in B.C., we continue to see a significant decline in new cases of COVID-19, hospitalizations and deaths as the number of people who are fully immunized goes up,” Henry said. “Public health teams throughout the province are closely watching the case data to ensure we maintain this positive momentum as we safely and gradually move into Step Three of our restart plan.”

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health added that “nearly 80 per cent of eligible adults in B.C. have protected themselves, the people they love and their communities by getting vaccinated. I urge everyone to get fully vaccinated with two doses as soon as they are offered and continue this life-saving momentum.”

Locally, Mayor Clara Reinhardt expressed that she’s very pleased with B.C. moving to Phase Three of its reopening plan, adding that “full credit and thanks to all who have been vaccinated…and it is never too late for those who still aren’t fully ‘vaxed’.”

The final phase of deconfinement, which includes a complete return to pre-pandemic level of restrictions, is scheduled to begin on Sept. 7 at the earliest.