BC's Reopening Plan

Last updated: June 12, 2020. For the most up-to-date information, see our Government Resources page

Learn about the Government of British Columbia’s BC Restart Plan and the 4 phases that will be taken to carefully and gradually reopen the economy while COVID-19 continues. For each of the 4 phases, the BC Restart Plan describes how specific industries, businesses and organizations should reopen, and what individuals need to know to stay safe.

All information on this page is summarized from the Government of British Columbia’s BC Restart Plan.

For businesses: Different organizational sectors must develop enhanced protocols that align with the Public Health and Safety Guidelines before moving forward, and will be expected to adopt and implement sector safety plans guided by WorkSafeBC.

Be careful! During the careful and safe reopening of businesses and the economy, it is important that everyone continues to practice physical distancing and following prevention and personal hygiene actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Learn more on our Prevention and Personal Hygiene page.

Phase 1: Mid-March to Mid-May

Phase 1 enabled industries designated as essential services to operate safely in the early stages of BC’s COVID-19 response.

Essential Services Operating During COVID-19:

  • Essential health and health services.
  • Law enforcement, public safety, first responders and emergency response personnel.
  • Vulnerable population service providers.
  • Critical infrastructure.
  • Food and agriculture service providers.
  • Transportation.
  • Industry and manufacturing.
  • Sanitation.
  • Communications and information technology.
  • Financial institutions.
  • Other non-health essential service providers.

Other businesses not designated as essential services could remain open during this phase as long as they could remain in compliance with public health orders. Businesses that have operated during Phase 1 may need to update their COVID-19 Safety Plans to fit with the government’s guidelines, best practices and resources before moving to Phase 2.

Phase 2: Mid-May onwards

Phase 2 allows for the careful reopening of more industries in the provincial economy with enhanced health and safety protocols in place.

Industries allowed to reopen under enhanced protocols:

  • Restoration of health services.
  • Re-scheduling elective surgery.
  • Medically related services:
  • Dentistry, physiotherapy, registered massage therapy, and chiropractors.
  • Physical therapy, speech therapy, and similar services.
  • Retail sector.
  • Hair salons, barbers, and other personal service establishments.
  • In-person counselling.
  • Restaurants, cafes, and pubs (with sufficient distancing measures).
  • Museums, art galleries, and libraries.
  • Office-based worksites.
  • Recreation and sports.
  • Parks, beaches, and outdoor spaces.
  • Child care.

What does this phase mean for individuals?

In this phase, the public are asked to stay close to home and continue to avoid any travel between communities that is not essential.

Phase 3: June to September (estimated)

The Province will only proceed to Phase 3 if transmission rates remain low or in decline in Phase 2. Phase 3 for British Columbia officially started on June 24 and you may find the most updated information at the website of the Government of British Columbia

Industries set to reopen in Phase 3 (under enhanced protocols):

  • Hotels and Resorts (June 2020).
  • Parks – broader reopening, including some overnight camping (June 2020).
  • Film industry – beginning with domestic productions (June/July 2020).
  • Select entertainment – movies and symphony, but not large concerts (July 2020).
  • Post-secondary education – with a mix of online and in-class (September 2020).
  • K-12 education – with only a partial return this school year (September 2020).

What does this phase mean for individuals?

If transmission rates remain low or in decline, people can begin travelling throughout BC.

Phase 4: To be determined

The timeline for Phase 4 is currently unknown. The province can only move to Phase 4 when at least one of the following conditions is met:

  • Widespread vaccination.
  • “Community” immunity.
  • Broad successful treatments.

    Activities/Industries reopening under Phase 4:

  • Activities requiring large gatherings, such as:
  • Conventions.
  • Live audience professional sports.
  • Concerts.
  • International tourism.

The timing of a safe restart of night clubs, casinos and bars is a more complicated consideration. As with other sectors, industry associations will be expected to develop safe operations plans, for review, that are in keeping with Public Health and Safety Guidelines, as well as WorkSafeBC.

What do businesses need to do to reopen in Phase 2, 3 or 4?

Industry sectors must ensure they are in compliance with public health orders and in accordance with the requirements and guidance provided by WorkSafeBC.

Employers preparing to resume operations must develop a COVID-19 Safety Plan to reopen safely, which includes assessing the risk of COVID-19 transmission in their workplace, and developing measures to reduce these risks. Resources to assist businesses and sectors as they restart their activities including new Health Guidelines and Checklists are available from WorkSafeBC.

More information

Learn more

I am a business owner or worker:

  • WorkSafeBC provides all of the information and resources for small businesses to stay safe during reopening. See their pages for industry-specific information for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of reopening as well as the COVID-19 Safety Plan template.
  • Small Business BC provides an up-to-date guide for small businesses on the best practices to reopening, developing a COVID-19 Safety Plan, and the industry-specific guidelines they need to know about.

References

 

Christa Yeung