British Columbia, Canada Releases And Commences Four-Step Restart Plan

On May 25, 2021, British Columbia released a four-step COVID-19 reopening plan, Restart: A plan to bring us back together.  To move through the steps, British Columbia looks for: 

• Declining COVID-19 case counts;
• Increasing vaccination rate in people 18+;
• Declining COVID-19 hospitalizations, including critical care; and
• A declining COVID-19 mortality rate. 

Step 1 (commenced May 25)

The criteria for Step 1 was:

• At least 60% of the 18+ population vaccinated with dose 1, and
• Stable case counts and COVID-19 hospitalizations. 

During Step 1, Provincial Health Officer (PHO) guidance recommended physical distancing and continuing to require masks in public indoor settings.