Premier John Horgan announced his government's plans to slowly return B.C. to normal life in the wake of COVID-19. (BC Government Flickr)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

RE-OPENING FOR BUSINESS

Horgan unveils ‘B.C.’s Restart Plan’ to kickstart COVID-19 recovery by mid-May

May 6, 2020 | 3:29 PM

NANAIMO — The province has outlined its plan to re-open B.C. in the wake of COVID-19’s impacts on the economy.

Premier John Horgan presented a multi-phased plan, expected to ramp up in the coming weeks.

“It won’t be the flipping of a switch, we’re going to be proceeding carefully, bit by bit, one step at a time,” Horgan said. “Every step will be informed by the provincial health officer, as well as input from British Columbians in every corner of this province.”

In the coming weeks, Horgan said the province will enter phase two of the re-opening plan. This includes resuming elective surgeries and services such as dentistry, chiropractors and physiotherapy re-opening.

The province will also relax restrictions to allow more retail businesses to re-open including hair salons, restaurants and pubs.

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Provincial parks are also included in the next phase with a limited daytime re-opening on May 14. The province expects campgrounds to be available by early June.

New phases will be implemented every two to four weeks provided the number of COVID-19 cases continue at a manageable rate.

“In this next phase, we must continue to maintain a very high standard of personal conduct,” Horgan said. “We’re asking people to use common sense and follow five principles as we implement the restart plan.”

The principles include enhanced personal hygiene, staying home if you’re sick, environmental hygiene, safe social interactions and modifying spaces to include plexiglass barriers and other design adjustments.

Horgan said the next phase of the restart plan will not include a relaxation of large gatherings, with the province holding firm on banning groups of more than 50 for the time being.

He also said recommendations around limiting unnecessary travel remained in place, including ferry crossings ahead of the upcoming May long weekend.

“We’re not prescribing to British Columbians who they can interact with and how they can interact with. People have to make a choice.”

Prior to the announcement, the province confirmed 23 new cases of COVID-19 across B.C., however none were from the Island Health region.

The province also announced three new deaths from coronavirus, including one on Vancouver Island. It marks the fifth person from the region who has passed away.

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