NEW - As of 12:01 am tomorrow (Friday) masks will no longer be required in public indoor spaces in British Columbia. #bcpoli
NEW - The BC Vaccine card will remain until April 8 in British Columbia. #bcpoli
NEW - Masks will no longer be required in schools after March Break. #bcpoli
NEW - Faith gatherings can return to 100% capacity at 12:01 a.m. on Friday. #bcpoli
NEW - British Columbia will transition from COVID-19 safety plans to communicable disease plans on April 6. #bcpoli
NEW - Long term care visitation will be expanded to allow for more visitors. Screening will remain in place including testing and vaccine card. #bcpoli
NEW - Summer camps do not need to have safety plans approved. This comes into effect on Friday at 12:01 a.m. #bcpoli
Starting March 18, LTC visitation will be restored to same policies as before Omicron. #bcpoli
More specifics on mask order. Some settings will still require masks including health care settings. "Most areas it will be an option and not a necessity." #bcpoli
Dr. Henry says people need to be supported who want to continue wearing masks. Children who are not vaccinated may be a reason for people to continue wearing masks. #bcpoli
NEW - Common areas of work places no longer are required by mandate to ensure mask wearing. But businesses can put in their own mandates. #bcpoli
Childcare guidelines are being update now. No guidelines updated yet. K to 12 guidelines also being updated. #bced
Dr. Henry says it is clear COVID-19 will be with us a for a long time. It needs to be added to the same list as influenza. Province is trying to figure out COVID monitoring. #bcpoli
Henry says there will be expanding waste water surveillance in more communities. There will also be continued evaluation of virus spread in long term care. #bcpoli
Dr. Henry - "I recognize the changes will make some people uncomfortable. Our masks have provided a level of safety and comfort." #bcpoli
Henry says the changes can happen now because BC is one of the most immunized jurisdictions in the world.
"People have stepped up. The spread is below the threshold where we need an order." #bcpoli
"People have stepped up. The spread is below the threshold where we need an order." #bcpoli
Henry - "We need to continue to do this with compassion and kindness." #bcpoli
Minister Adrian Dix promises a shorter update today. Dix thanking health care workers across the province. #bcpoli
Dix says there are fewer than 400 people in ICU with COVID-19. #bcpoli
As of March 9, 35,336,658 rapid tests have arrived.
There are 3 million new tests arriving per week.
26 million plus have been distributed, including 4.1 million in last week. #bcpoli
There are 3 million new tests arriving per week.
26 million plus have been distributed, including 4.1 million in last week. #bcpoli
NEW - British Columbia will be expanding rapid test access to those 50 plus starting tomorrow. More than 1.3 million tests for people 60 plus have been distributed this way. #bcpoli
Dix - "The things that have allowed us to respond are still with us." #bcpoli
Questions begin. On immuno compromised people being left behind, Dr. Henry says "I will continue to wear my mask." Says grocery store and other essential places are not the highest risk. #bcpoli
On transit, Henry says it is not one of the highest risk areas. Individuals can make the decision. #bcpoli
Transit and BC Ferries could put their own mask requirement in place. #bcpoli
On whether vaccine requirement has been dropped for all health workers, Dr. Henry says this is not what has happened. There is now an assessment done by setting and college. #bcpoli
On using science and date and Dr. Daly citing vaccine cards are punitive, Dr. Henry says the paper is an opinion piece. "It is something that reminds us there are consequences to the measures put in place." #bcpoli
On comparing June 29 (when masks were removed) to now, Dr. Henry says the philosophy of where we are is the same. "We use the least amount of rules by mandate." #bcpoli
On a jump in cases following the changes, Dr. Henry says there may be a slight increase but does not expect to see a jump. "We may see a decrease in the decrease." #bcpoli
Dr. Henry says there likely will need to be a targeted COVID-19 vaccine program in the fall. Will be aimed towards seniors and immuno compromised. #bcpoli
On why are we waiting four weeks to remove vaccine card, Dr. Henry says the card is used in different ways in different provinces. Says the cards are for the highest risk settings. #bcpoli
Dr. Henry when asked if this is the last briefing - "I am going to run away for a long time." #bcpoli
On whether fired health care workers will get job back, Dr. Henry says the mandate for acute care and LTC are still in place. #bcpoli
On school plans, Dr. Henry says schools are very structured environment. As risk goes down in community, risks go down in school. "It will still be a mask positive environment." #bced #bcpoli
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