BC Chamber Welcomes Phase 3 of BC’s Restart Plan, Calls for Patience as People and Businesses Transition

June 30, 2021

COVID-19 & Economic Recovery

Local & Regional Government

Yesterday, the provincial government announced that the province of British Columbia will move to Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan at 12:00am PDT on Thursday, July 1, 2021.

The news comes following confirmation that the criteria for moving to Step 3 i.e. at least 70% of the 18+ population has been vaccinated with dose 1, along with low case counts and declining COVID-19 hospitalizations, has been met. In Step 3, masks are recommended in public indoor settings for all people 12 and older who are not yet fully vaccinated, and businesses will no longer be required to maintain a COVID-19 Safety Plan, and will instead transition to using communicable disease prevention plans as detailed by WorkSafeBC.

Full details of Step 3 and BC’s Restart Plan can be accessed here.

In response to yesterday’s announcement, BC Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Fiona Famulak, released the following statement:

“Yesterday marks another step forward in our recovery effort and a milestone in reaching vaccination levels across our province that allow us to come together safely.

We are delighted that restaurants, pubs, casinos, nightclubs, and all tourism and hospitality organizations as well as gyms and fitness studios, will once again be able to open their doors, and invite locals and guests from across the province and the rest of Canada to engage in the wide range of recreational activities that B.C. is famous for.

While we transition to an environment where masks are recommended (vs. required) in public indoor settings, we must be respectful of each other’s circumstances and move forward with patience as we all adjust and businesses develop their communicable disease plans, to ensure the safety of employees and patrons. And while the state of emergency will soon be lifted, we must not lose sight of the fact that we are still navigating recovery, and we all need to do our part by getting vaccinated so that we reach our next milestone of Step 4 in the coming months.”