COVID-19 QUICK SHEET | OFFICIAL GOV’T ANNOUNCEMENTS
Current public health orders (marked with "!!") and official government announcements, are summarized below into one list to help navigate the sea of new information out there.
Current public health orders (marked with “!!”) and official government announcements, are summarized below into one list to help navigate the sea of new information out there.
(Last Updated June 3, 2020)
Items that are new or updated since May 27 are listed below in red.
EMERGENCY STATUS
- Public Health Emergency declared, effective March 17, 2020. See written Provincial Health Orders here, however Dr. Bonnie Henry is also able to issue verbal orders with immediate effect.
- Provincial State of Emergency declared, effective March 18, 2020. New Ministerial Orders March 26, 2020.
- The Provincial State of Emergency has been extended until June 9, 2020 (extensions are in 2-week increments)
- Compliance & Enforcement: Violations of public health orders, quarantine orders, or restrictions against price gouging and profiteering can carry heavy fines and even jail time. Report violations to your local government bylaw office, to your local police force through their non-emergency line, or via Consumer Protection BC (in the case of price gouging).
- BC Restart Plan is currently in Phase 2 of 4. If BC continues to do well in terms of managing COVID-19 transmissions, we expect to go into Phase 3 in June.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING ORDERS !!
- Gatherings of more than 50 people in one indoor space are banned.!!
- You may now carefully expand your “social bubble” (i.e. allowing hugs between households if they agree to be in each others’ bubbles), keeping in mind that every person added impacts everyone in the bubble.
- Gather in small groups of no more than six people, but continue to maintain your physical distance between social bubbles.
- Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor gatherings.
- Self-isolate if you are sick, even if it is not COVID-19.
- Non-medical masks may be worn when keeping physical distance isn’t possible to help keep those around you safe.
- Enhanced quarantine compliance procedures in place for travellers entering the country.!!
HEALTH CARE
- Scheduling for elective surgeries and procedures has restarted. Massive surgical renewal plan to clear COVID-19 backlog in the next 17-24 months in place.
- COVID-19 testing criteria changes regularly. Take the online self-assessment or call 8-1-1 if you have symptoms to check whether you should be tested.
- Workers and volunteers in long-term care may no longer work at multiple facilities.!!
- Visitor restrictions are in place for all Vancouver Coastal Health facilities, including hospitals, long-term care, assisted living sites, community health centres and clinics. For those living in other health authority areas, check online before you go.
- Choose virtual health care services whenever available, physicians will be compensated.
- Physician notes are NOT required for prescription refills by pharmacists.
- Dentists should be providing emergency services only at this time. Services available from other regulated health care professionals (RMT, physiotherapy, chiropractic, etc) may also be limited at this time.
- MSP coverage wait times are waived for those who have been out of province and returned.
- Safe prescription alternatives to the illegal drug supply available to people who use substances.
HOUSING
- Immediate halt on all evictions, except for extreme case involving safety concerns and court-ordered evictions. View Q&As here.
- Freeze on rental rates. No rent increases are allowed in BC, effective April 1. View Q&As here.
- Landlords may now restrict use of common areas by tenants or guests.
- Landlords may not enter tenants’ homes without their expressed consent, unless there is a clear threat to people or property.
- Strata councils may meet virtually during COVID-19.
- Click here to see supports available.
TRANSPORTATION
- Auto insurance
—–Renew auto insurance by email or phone.
—–Remote extensions for driver licensing available. All requests for medical information temporarily postponed. Call 1-800-950-1498.
—– All ICBC knowledge tests available again by appointment. - BC Ferries: Substantial service reductions in effect. Passengers with COVID-19 symptoms will not be permitted to board. Passengers may stay inside their vehicles the entire trip; on board food service is minimal; avoid non-essential travel.
- BC Transit Use of non-medical masks is recommended while travelling on transit. Service levels may be impacted. Check online before you go.
- All commercial marine vessels with a capacity of more than 12 passengers are prohibited from engaging in non-essential activities, such as tourism or recreation. Ferries and essential passenger vessels must operate at 50% capacity at most.
- Click here to see supports available.
RETAIL SERVICES
- Do not use reusable bags or containers when shopping.
- Sale of bulk foods are prohibited, except those dispensed via gravity feed bins, or where staff dispense the bulk items.
- The resale of food, medical supplies, personal protective equipment, cleaning products and other essential supplies is prohibited.
- BC Liquor Stores will stay open, though on reduced hours.
- Private retail wine and liquor stores may now operate between 7am-11pm.
- Restaurants may sell liquor products with meals for pick-up/delivery using staff with Serving-It-Right certification.
- Restaurants, pubs, cafés may resume standing and seated service at reduced capacity, provided enhanced operating protocols to enable distancing orders are in place.!!
- Sale of non-food items may now resume at “farmers markets” or “community markets”. Food and drink vendors may not offer samples.
- Personal service establishments (salons, spas, massage, tattoo parlours, etc.) may re-open with enhanced operating protocols in place.
- By public health order, the following are closed throughout BC:
—–Casinos.!!
—–Liquor-primary establishments, that do not serve meals (such as bars and clubs) must stay closed.!! - Read more: Essential Services List
- Read more: Guidance to retail food & grocery stores
GOVERNMENT SERVICES
- BC Service Centres will stay open, but the first hour of service is dedicated to seniors and other vulnerable people. You can also call for service: 1-800-663-7867.
- In-Person Canada Service Centres are now closed. Apply for benefits online.
- bc211 is now also available to match volunteers with seniors in need of help with groceries, etc. Call 2-1-1 or visit online.
- Limitation periods to commence court proceedings have been suspended.
- Civil Resolution Tribunal deadlines extended; fees waived for those struggling financially
- Remote execution of legal documents allowed during pandemic.
- Click here to see supports available.
RECREATION & OUTDOORS
- Restrictions on open burning activities in effect. Read more.
- Community centres, playgrounds, and sports fields may be closed. Check before you go.
- Some community playgrounds have re-opened, follow recommended signage. Check before you go.
- Parks Canada: Visitor services at all national parks and historic sites are closed. Camping, group activities and events at all national parks, national historic sites, heritage canals and national marine conservation areas are suspended until at least May 31, 2020.
- Provncial Parks Campgrounds have reopened June 1, 2020, with some exceptions. Some are open for day use only. Check BC Parks for the current status of each park before you go.
- BC Summer Games has been cancelled.
- Read more: In-province travel restrictions
CHILDREN, YOUTH & STUDENTS
- Parents may now choose to return their children to child care.
- Optional in-class instruction for K-12 students have begun June 1.
- Five-stage approach in place for returning to full in-class instruction.
- Enhanced government funding is available for child care providers that stay open and that close.
- Providers receiving enhanced government funding (above) cannot charge parent fees for any periods of closure or for vacant spaces and must reserve spaces for families. Check with your provider to see if they are in this program. (Effective April 2020)
- Click here to see supports available.
- Read More: BC Government COVID-19 child care supports
LABOUR & INDUSTRY
- Companies looking to offer support or supplies to help with the fight against COVID-19 can do so through the COVID-19 Supplier Hub.
- All employers must have a Workplace COVID-19 Safety Plan!! WorkSafeBC is available to support workplaces as they resume operations.
- Employers cannot require a doctors notes or testing for people to stay home from work.!!
- Commercial landlords who are eligible for the CECRA are restricted from evicting their eligible commercial tenants.
- Provincial Health Order regarding Industrial Work Camps in effect.!!
- Workers may take unpaid, job-protected leave if they are unable to work for reasons relating to COVID-19, retroactive to Jan 27, 2020. As a permanent change, workers now also have three days of unpaid, job-protected leave each year for people who cannot work due to illness or injury.
- Temporary lay-off period during COVID-19 has been extended to 16 weeks.
- Read more: Public Health Officer Guidance for industries and employers
- Click here to see supports available.
TRAVEL & BORDERS
- Canadians currently abroad are strongly advised to return to Canada now while they are still able. Call 1-613-996-8885 or email sos@international.gc.ca for assistance.
- All Canadian borders are closed to non-essential travellers who are not Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents and their immediate family.
- Cruise ships with overnight accommodations allowed to carry more than 100 persons are prohibited from operating in Canadian waters until October 31.
- Reduction in service at Canadian land border crossings in effect.
- Avoid all non-essential travel.
- Anyone exhibiting symptoms will be actively refused boarding onto all aircraft and trains, including for travel within Canada.
- All international flights (including from the USA) entering British Columbia will be restricted to YVR only.
- Travellers entering the country must self-isolate for fourteen days.!! Violations carry a maximum fine of $750,000 and 6 months in jail.
- Click here to see supports available.