B.C.’s COVID-19 measures to remain in place for time being

The timeline for changes to the COVID-19 restrictions in British Columbia are not changing, yet.

Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said Tuesday that COVID-19 transmission remains high in much of B.C., and based on that data, the restrictions will remain in place.

“As we move into March, today being March 1st, we have committed to monitoring [the data], to making sure that we can make the changes that are needed based on our best data and our pandemic. And we’ve talked about doing this prior to spring break and that is something we have committed to and will be looking at additional precautions and if we’re in a better place to be able to remove some additional measures very soon,” said Henry during the provincial COVID-19 update.

B.C.’s top doctor said the use of masks indoors, physical distancing and getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is still needed to get through this current peak, but if transmission rates decrease in the near future, those extra layers of protection may no longer be necessary.

“We are being cautious. We have heard loud and clear that we have to be thoughtful and move cautiously and slowly, because that is the way that we will continue to gain ground and not lose it,” said Henry.

“Each step of the way, we will make the decisions based on what we’re seeing on the data that we’re seeing here in our pandemic.”

However, she did add that this won’t be the case for everyone, as the elderly and the immunocompromised will need to continue to take precautions to ensure they don’t become infected and end up in hospital.

“This is where, again, we need to work together to do what’s right for us and to respect that other people have different risks.”

She asked that, moving forward, British Columbians continue to do their part to reduce the risk of exposing someone who may be at higher risk to the virus.

Henry added that she is optimistic that B.C. is moving to a better place in the pandemic.

Henry also noted that the Novavax vaccine will be available in B.C. in the coming days for residents aged 18 and over, as it has not been approved for youth as of yet. The Novavax shot is also safe to mix with doses of other COVID-19 vaccines previously approved for use by Health Canada.

The plant-based Medicago vaccine has also been approved by Health Canada, though it’s not expected to be available for a few months. Henry stated that this vaccine has only been approved for use by people aged 18 to 64, as they did not have older candidates participate in the trials.

She encourages all British Columbians who have not received their vaccines, whether they be first, second, or booster doses, to get the shot as soon as possible, saying it is the best protection against COVID-19 available.