On April 2, 2020, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor
General for British Columbia issued a Ministerial Order (the
"Order") under the Emergency Program
Act, dated March 31, 2020. The Order protects those providing
essential services from liability for damages
relating directly or indirectly to exposure to COVID-19 while
continuing to operate, as long as the essential service provider
complies with all applicable emergency and public health guidance,
or reasonably believes they are doing so (for example following
established protocols on how to prevent the spread of the virus
like proper handwashing and regular cleaning and disinfecting).
Immunity would not apply where there is gross negligence. Gross
negligence includes acts or omissions that represent a marked
departure from the normal standard of care and which typically has
the potential to cause serious harm.
