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Step 3 of BC's Restart Plan – July 1, 2021
What does Step 3 mean for BC's tourism industry?
On July 1, BC moved to Step 3 of its Restart Plan, allowing Canada-wide recreational travel, a return to normal hours for liquor service at restaurants, bars and pubs with table limits to be determined by the venue, increased capacity for organized indoor and outdoor gatherings, and more.
BC’s tourism industry can find a comprehensive FAQ in our latest Messaging Guidance for July 1 until further notice.
Visit www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restart for details on activites and “new things you can do” during Step 3 of the plan, along with Public Health Orders still in effect, including physical distancing.
As we follow BC’s careful, four-step plan focused on safely getting life back to normal, we must continue working together and following the rules to keep each other safe, and protect our progress.
Travel and Borders
Where can I find travel advisories?
For BC travel restrictions and precautions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit www.gov.bc.ca/regionalrestrictions.
Visit travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories for up-to-date travel advice and advisories from the Government of Canada.
What should I do if I have been travelling?
The Government of Canada continues to advise all Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel outside Canada. This official global travel advisory includes non-essential travel across the land border into the US, and aboard ships or other vessels.
There are also travel restrictions that limit who can travel to Canada. Until further notice, most people cannot travel to Canada, even if they are immunized, have a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).
Those who must travel, can learn more about the measures and requirements in place on the provincial government’s Self-quarantine on return to BC page.
Travellers can also find updated travel information on the Government of Canada’s COVID-19: Travel, quarantine and borders page.
Current information on travel can also can be found here on the BC CDC’s Travel page.
What are the travel restrictions for out-of-province visitors?
Road signs are up at the Alberta/BC border reminding travellers that all travel at this time should be essential. People from any province or territory are subject to the same travel restrictions as everyone in BC.
If you travel to BC for essential reasons from another province or territory, you do not need to self-quarantine when entering BC.
Travel within our province is currently restricted to BC residents only. Review Province-wide restrictions.
For more information provincial travel restrictions, visit BC’s Travel Affected by COVID-19 page.
Are incoming travellers being screened for COVID-19?
Air operators have been formally mandated to prevent any travellers with symptoms to board a plane at point of origin, meaning anyone who has symptoms will not be able to come to Canada.
There are also travel restrictions that limit who can travel to Canada.
All people entering Canada by air, sea, or land are required to self-isolate for 14 days even if they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms.
Go to the Government of Canada for the latest travel information, travel alerts and advice for travellers without symptoms returning to Canada.
When are the international border restrictions going to be lifted?
International borders are a federal decision in conversation with the province and assessed risk levels, and border re-openings will depend on the circumstances here and in the country of origin.
For more information, visit BC’s Travel Affected by COVID-19 page.
You can also check the Government of Canada and Canada Border Services Agency for the latest.
Visitor Services
Are campgrounds and RV parks open?
Learn about Recreation Sites and Trails BC’s ongoing response to COVID-19.
Where can I find more information on BC Parks?
The health and safety of park visitors and staff remains BC Parks’ number one priority throughout this difficult time. In keeping with this commitment to providing safe places and means for BC residents’ to explore nature, BC Parks is providing ongoing updates on the implications to BC Parks campers as orders and annoucnements are made at the provincial level.
Read more on the BC Parks COVID-19 Response page.
Are boat tours allowed to operate?
All marine passenger vessels, including essential passenger vessels such as ferries and water taxis, must continue following provincial, territorial, local and regional health authority guidance. These could include: reducing the number of passengers, ensuring physical distancing, the wearing of masks, as well as enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures.
A one-year ban for pleasure craft and cruise vessels with more than 100 people operating in Canadian waters has been implemented until February 22, 2022.
Events
What are the restrictions for events?
A summary of the PHO order – Gatherings and Events (PDF) document can be found here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restrictions#pho-order
Do I have the right to refuse attendance to my event for particular groups or to those displaying the symptoms of COVID-19?
Public safety is the number one priority. If an individual is showing symptoms, BC Public Health authorities are asking those individuals to self-isolate in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
Masks
Are masks still required in all indoor spaces?
Masks are recommended for public indoor settings for all people 12 and older who are not yet fully vaccinated.
Will masks be required on modes of transportation for those who aren’t vaccinated/once capacity restrictions are lifted?
The Province has developed updated health and safety protocols, which include a move from COVID-19 Safety Plans to communicable disease prevention.
Masks are recommended for public indoor settings for all people 12 and older who are not yet fully vaccinated, which includes modes of transportation.
Health and Cleaning
What should I do if in a suspected case of COVID-19?
It is important to know what to do in suspected cases of COVID-19 to ensure we all do our part to keep BC safe.
For information about COVID-19, how to protect yourself, your staff and your community, and what to do if you suspect you have the virus, visit bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19.
What should I do if a staff member or visitor has been diagnosed with COVID-19?
Please follow the direction of your local health authority. Call 8-1-1 (or 7-1-1 for the deaf or hard of hearing) for advice and provide them with information about your business, number of staff/visitors, and general operations.
What are the appropriate cleaning measures (and types of products) that businesses, including accommodation and transportation providers, should have in place?
For any health measures or sanitation precautions that need to be taken, please refer to BC’s health experts at the BC Centre for Disease Control.
What are the health and safety guidelines for tourism operators?
In Step 3, employers may begin to transition away from maintaining a COVID-19 Safety Plan at their workplace towards communicable disease prevention.
Employers will continue to be supported by WorkSafeBC and the PHO as they transition, and can visit WorkSafeBC’s Preparing for Step 3 of BC’s Restart: Communicable disease prevention page for details, including a comprehensive guide for employers, FAQs, responding to elevated risks, and more.
Employers do not have to have plans approved by WorkSafeBC; however, managing communicable disease at your business is part of an effective Occupational Health and Safety Program. https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/books-guides/communicable-diseaseprevention-guide-employers
Employers must also ensure they are abiding by any relevant orders, notices, or guidance issued by BC’s provincial health officer and the health authority relevant to their workplace.
Learn more by visiting WorkSafeBC’s COVID-19 page.
More information on the virus, including protective mesaures to take, can also be found by visiting the HealthLinkBC website and the BC Centre for Disease Control website.
I am an employer in the tourism sector who normally provides staff housing to workers. One of my workers is sick and is required to self-isolate. Am I responsible for the cost of providing their housing while they are under quarantine?
Housing for workers is typically provided as part of the remuneration package outlined in collective agreements or employment contracts rather than in legislation or regulation. Employers should review their obligations under their collective agreements, employment contracts or company policies. If employers are unsure, they should seek legal advice based on their unique situation. We all know that this is an incredibly difficult time for business and their employees, and we’re encouraging everyone to work together to find workable solutions to the exceptional problems we are all facing.
What should I do in a suspected case of COVID-19?
If you have symptoms and may have been exposed to COVID-19, use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool, developed with the BC Ministry of Health, to help determine whether you may need further assessment or testing for the virus. You can complete the assessment for yourself, or on behalf of someone else, if they are unable to.
To arrange for further assessment or testing, call your local primary care provider or 8-1-1, or for deaf or hard of hearing call 7-1-1.
