BC’s Restart: A plan to bring us back together

 

BC’s Restart is a careful, four-step plan focused on protecting people and safely getting life back to normal. 

Last updated: May 25, 2021

On this page:


Understand the plan

BC’s Restart is a careful, four-step plan to bring B.C. back together. Starting May 25, we can gradually begin to restart our important social connections, businesses and activities. Getting vaccinated is the most important tool supporting our restart. 

How we move through the steps

To move through the steps, we’re looking for:

  • Declining COVID-19 case counts
  • Increasing vaccination rate in people 18+

  • Declining COVID-19 hospitalizations, including critical care
  • Declining COVID-19 mortality rate

Step 1: Starting May 25

The criteria for Step 1 is at least 60% of the 18+ population vaccinated with dose 1, along with stable case counts and COVID-19 hospitalizations. 

PHO guidance

 

Activities

New things you can do

Personal gatherings

Examples of a personal gathering include having friends over to your house or meeting up with friends at a park. 

Organized gatherings

Examples of an organized gathering include wedding ceremonies or funerals.

Travel
Businesses
Offices and workplaces
  • Start a gradual return to workplaces
  • Employers must continue to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and daily health check in place
Sports and exercise

Step 2: Earliest start date June 15

The criteria for moving to Step 2 is at least 65% of the 18+ population vaccinated with dose 1, along with declining case counts and COVID-19 hospitalizations. 

The earliest date we move to Step 2 is June 15. 

PHO guidance

Activities

New things you can do

Personal gatherings
  • Outdoor personal gatherings up to 50 people (birthday parties, backyard BBQs, block parties)
  • Playdates
Organized gatherings
  • Indoor seated organized gatherings up to 50 people with a COVID-19 Safety Plan

Consultation with the sector begins for next steps on indoor and outdoor organized gatherings. 

Travel
  • Provincial travel restrictions lifted
  • Recreational travel within B.C. allowed
  • BC Transit and BC Ferries offers increased service as needed
Businesses
  • Liquor served until midnight
  • Banquet halls can operate with limited capacity and a COVID-19 Safety Plan

Consultation with sector associations begins for next steps on easing restrictions. ​

Offices and workplaces
  • Continued return to the workplace
  • Small, in-person meetings allowed
Sports and exercise
  • Indoor high intensity group exercise allowed with reduced capacity
  • Indoor games and practices for both adults and youth group/team sports allowed
  • No spectators at any indoor sport activities
  • Outdoor spectators up to 50 allowed

Step 3: Earliest start date July 1

The criteria for moving to Step 3 is at least 70% of the 18+ population vaccinated with dose 1, along with low case counts and declining COVID-19 hospitalizations. 

The earliest date we move to Step 3 is July 1.

PHO guidance

  • Masks are recommended in public indoor settings
  • Engage in careful social contact
  • If you or anyone in your family feels sick stay home and get tested immediately

Activities

New things you can do

Personal gatherings
  • Return to usual for indoor and outdoor personal gatherings
  • Sleepovers
Organized gatherings
  • Increased capacity at both indoor and outdoor organized gatherings with a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place
  • Fairs and festivals can operate with a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place
Travel
  • Canada-wide recreational travel
Businesses
  • No group limit for indoor and outdoor dining
  • Liquor service restrictions lifted
  • Bingo halls, casinos and nightclubs can operate with a limited capacity

Businesses must operate based on a new sector COVID-19 Safety Plan.

Offices and workplaces
  • Continued return to the workplace
  • Seminars and bigger meetings allowed

Workplaces must operate based on a new sector COVID-19 Safety Plan.

Sports and exercise
  • All indoor fitness classes allowed, usual capacity
  • Limited indoor spectators allowed

Step 4: Earliest start date September 7

The criteria for moving to Step 4 is more than 70% of the 18+ population vaccinated with dose 1, along with low case counts and low COVID-19 hospitalizations. 

The earliest date we move to Step 4 is September 7.

PHO guidance

  • Masks in public indoor settings a personal choice
  • Normal social contact
  • If you or anyone in your family feels sick stay home and get tested immediately

Activities

New things you can do

Personal gatherings
  • Return to normal personal gatherings and social contact
Organized gatherings
  • Increased capacity at large organized gatherings, like a concert
Travel
  • Canada-wide recreational travel
Businesses
  • Businesses will continue to operate based on the new COVID-19 safety guidelines and their updated COVID-19 Safety Plan
Offices and workplaces
  • Workplaces fully reopened
Sports and exercise
  • Return to normal sport competitions with an updated COVID-19 Safety Plan in place
  • Increased outdoor and indoor spectators