Easing restrictions
As of March 11, 2022, masks are no longer required by public health. Until April 8, 2022, proof of vaccination requirements remain in place.
Starting February 16, 2022, at 11:59pm, many restrictions will be eased. These activities can return to normal.
No restrictions on indoor and outdoor personal gatherings
Full capacity allowed for:
- Indoor and outdoor organized events
- Indoor events at venues
- Exercise and fitness, adult sports activities, tournaments, and swimming pools
Full capacity and fewer restrictions in restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs:
- No limits on table size
- Normal liquor service hours
- Customers don't have to remain seated
- Dancing is allowed when wearing a mask indoors
Proof of vaccination
On April 8, 2022, at 12:01am, proof of vaccination will no longer be required under public health order to access businesses, events, and services.
- Individual businesses and event organizers can choose to continue requiring proof of vaccination for entry.
- Federal proof of vaccination is still required for federally regulated travel, like air travel.
- Businesses will no longer need a COVID-19 safety plan. They must follow communicable disease guidance from WorkSafeBC.
As of October 24, 2021, residents in BC are required to be fully immunized, at least seven days after receiving two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, to access:
- Indoor ticketed sporting events
- Indoor concerts, theatre, dance, and symphony events
- Movie theatres
- Licensed restaurants and restaurants that offer table service (indoor and patio dining)
- Pubs, bars, and lounges (indoor and patio dining)
- Nightclubs
- Casinos
- Gyms, exercise facilities/studios, pools, and recreation facilities
- Businesses offering indoor group exercise
- Indoor adult group and team sports for people 22+
- Indoor organized events with 50 or more people (for example weddings, organized parties, conferences, workshops)
- Indoor organized group recreational classes and activities (for example pottery, art, choir)
- Post-secondary on-campus student housing
Affected businesses can now download the BC Vaccine Card Verifier App from the Google Play and Apple App stores and use the app to verify customers BC Vaccine Card, or visually verify the person's proof of vaccination. A government-issued photo is also required for those 19+.
Mask guidance
Wearing masks in public indoor settings is not required by public health. Individual businesses and event organizers can choose to continue requiring masks on their premises.
Provincial order
As of July 1, 2021, all sectors will transition to using communicable disease prevention guidance from WorkSafeBC External website, opens in new tab.
To provide employers and workers with a better understanding of workplace requirements to implement communicable disease prevention, WorkSafeBC has posted OHS Guideline G-P2-21 Communicable disease prevention External website, opens in new tab in advance of its effective date of July 1, 2021.
