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British Columbia Rolling Back a few COVID Mandates, Masks and Passports still required

Updated: Mar 5, 2022


Unlike some other Canadian provinces, IE, Alberta and Saskatchewan, BC is keeping its mask and COVID passport requirements



UPDATE March 4, 2022


Canadian Health Officials Update on COVID regulations:

Described as a "shift in tone" Canadian health officials said wearing a mask is a “personal choice.”


Deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo expanded on his comment saying “clearly mask-wearing is a well-tested, tried and true personal protective practice,” it is not a mandatory requirement across the country and is “a personal choice under one’s individual risk assessment.”


Also in attendance, Dr. Theresa Tam said Canadians are well protected, for now.


But, Tam continued, “If there is a variant that is very different from Omicron, then that’s a different story,”



UPDATE: March 1, 2022



Dr. Bonnie Henry refuses to follow other Canadian provinces and countries that have removed COVID restrictions and passport requirements.







UPDATE: Feb 15th 2022

As Exnews.net first reported 3 days ago British Columbia is rolling back some of the provinces' COVID-19 mandates/restrictions effective Wednesday, February 16th at 11:59 pm.


BC's Vaccine Passport Extended to June 30


It remains to be seen if the rollbacks are enough to satisfy COVID-19 MANDATE weary British Columbians.

Unlike some other Canadian provinces, like Alberta and Saskatchewan, BC is retaining mask and COVID passport requirements according to today's announcement.


New Restrictions:

- No limit for Indoor personal gatherings, masks and vaccine card required

- No limit for indoor and outdoor organized gatherings, masks and vaccine card required

- Full capacity and no table size limit for restaurants, bars or nightclubs, dancing permitted, masks and vaccine card required

- Full capacity allowed at indoor seated events, masks and vaccine card required

- Fitness centres and adult sports will have no capacity limits, masks and vaccine card required


No changes for long term health visitations or schools or day-cares were announced




Previous Story. Feb 12th 2022:


British Columbia Ending COVID Mandates: Source


ExNews.net has learned British Columbia may be poised to remove COVID restrictions very soon.


Dr. Bonnie Henry could make the announcement as early as next Thursday.


Dr. Bonnie Henry, Province of BC Photo

Sources tell ExNews.net that businesses in the service industry are being told to prepare for a transition from the COVID-19 Safety Plan to a Communicable Disease Plan.


If correct, the plan may be similar to one announced on June 17th, 2021 by the BC Provincial Health Officer.


The Previous Communicable Disease Plan:

-COVID-19 specific controls of the COVID-19 Safety Plan will no longer be required outside of instances of elevated risk

- Employers must ensure that fundamental measures of communicable disease prevention are in place at their workplace, including appropriate handwashing and personal hygiene practices, appropriate ventilation, and staying home when sick.


It's not known if this will mean an immediate end to the mask mandate or the "COVID passport"


The current COVID-19 mandate requires everyone 5 or older to wear a mask while at an indoor event or establishment, like a bar or pub, unless seated. Events like concerts are restricted to 50% capacity.

Personal gatherings at your home or vacation accommodation are limited to your household plus 10 fully vaccinated visitors. Indoor organized gatherings of any size, like a wedding or funeral receptions, are prohibited.


Digital "proof of vaccination QR code' is required for entry.


Changing to a "Communicable Disease Plan" from the "COVID-19 Safety Plan"

would add British Columbia to a growing list of Provinces that have ended or reduced many COVID-19 mandates.


Tuesday of last week Alberta and Saskatchewan announced their plan to drop COVID-19 restrictions in the next few weeks.


Starting next week the two provinces will drop their vaccine passport requirements.


Alberta will drop mask requirements for students and those under 12.


By the end of the month, Saskatchewan will end all indoor mask mandates.


Manitoba hopes to have all restrictions removed by March 2022.


Ontario continues to proceed cautiously but expects to lift many COVID restrictions by spring.


Quebec has relaxed COVID rules as protestors in Montreal call for an end to restrictions. Quebecers no longer have limits on at-home family gatherings and can have as many as 10 people or persons from three households at the same table.

Long-term care homes will start allowing visitors.


New Brunswick also expects to have many restrictions removed.


Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe was the first Premier to announce earlier this month his province was going to end COVID restrictions, saying

“Eradicating COVID is not realistic and COVID Zero is not achievable, but normalizing COVID or living with COVID most certainly is”


Health officials insist rolling back COVID restrictions isn't because of the growing number of anti-mandate protests across Canada.


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