Businesses around B.C. are bracing for the end of the COVID-19 public health order requiring face masks July 1, and some will still require customers and staff to wear them as 70 per cent of people still arenB次元官网网址檛 fully vaccinated.
The public health mask advisory was upgraded to an order early last year, and sparked confrontations with people who demanded service from businesses without putting on a mask. Provincial officials are pleading with the public to comply with businesses whose employees may face hostile customers or exercise their right to refuse to work in unsafe conditions.
B次元官网网址淲e need to be kind to the people and the businesses who are working hard to reopen safely,B次元官网网址� Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon said as the province confirmed it is moving to step three reopening and the end of the mask order starting Thursday. B次元官网网址淰accination numbers continue to climb, but not all of us have the same level of comfort or protection right now. We need to be respectful of businesses that may continue to require masks. We need to be respectful of others who may ask you to wear a mask around them.B次元官网网址�
The public health recommendation for continued mask use is for everyone 12 and up who hasnB次元官网网址檛 received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, with 14 days after the second dose to build immunity. The greater freedom of going without a mask in public indoor spaces is being used as an incentive to get more people immunized, and follow up with booster doses as the summer progresses.
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Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said wearing a mask is advised in places such as transit buses where groups of people who donB次元官网网址檛 know each other gather in close quarters. Barriers in grocery stores and other retail spaces are staying in place.
B次元官网网址淎nd as we transition over this period of time, with more and more people protected and fewer people wearing masks, those barriers will still be important,B次元官网网址� Henry said June 29.
As of July 1 and the formal end of B.C.B次元官网网址檚 15-month state of emergency, businesses no longer need posted COVID-19 emergency plans. Restaurants and pubs are returning to normal operation, although staff may continue to use masks and patrons are not allowed to mingle between tables.
Outdoor fairs and festivals are what Henry calls B次元官网网址渇low-through events, where people can move away from others and keep their distance.B次元官网网址� The Pacific National Exhibition announced Wednesday it would go ahead with a smaller version of the annual fair Aug. 21 to Sept. 6.
tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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