Quebec, with the worst record of containing COVID-19 in Canada, is reopening schools. Korea, an early international success story in pandemic control, has lived to regret keeping night clubs open.

The B.C. plan to restart the economy is slower than that, more like Germany, which also unveiled its reopening strategy in early May with restaurants set to restart. Like Korea, Germany employed widespread testing for the novel coronavirus, and has seen an uptick in cases in recent days.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says public health officials are watching Germany closely.

B次元官网网址淭here has been a slight increase,B次元官网网址� Henry said at her daily briefing May 11. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a little bit hard to know exactly why in Germany, but weB次元官网网址檙e watching that very carefully. WeB次元官网网址檙e looking at a number of other countries, like New Zealand, Norway, some of the Scandinavian countries that have also taken very similar measures, and weB次元官网网址檙e watching whatB次元官网网址檚 happening, of course, across North America, but particularly in Quebec and Ontario, in Saskatchewan and other places where theyB次元官网网址檙e making similar changes like we are.B次元官网网址�

Pubs and night clubs were shut down in mid-March as B.C. responded to cases trickling in from overseas. Korea kept them open, and has seen a surge in new cases since the weekend that has been traced to exposure in clubs.

Beginning in mid-May, B.C.B次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址減hase twoB次元官网网址� starts with reopening most provincial parks for day use, rescheduling postponed surgeries, allowing dentistry, physiotherapy and other health treatments with additional protective equipment, and restarting office-based worksites, including the B.C. legislature by June.

Key business re-openings are retail, hair salons, restaurants and pubs, maintaining the physical distance rules that have kept B.C.B次元官网网址檚 COVID-19 cases in decline in recent weeks. Local governments are looking to open up streets for additional outside seating.

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Henry has stressed that just because businesses are allowed to reopen doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean they will, or should depending on their layout and staff requirements. Restaurants and other industry groups are finalizing their guidelines, and each will have to publicly post its pandemic safety plan when the owners and managers believe they are ready to go.

B次元官网网址淎 steady stream will be far more successful than a rushing river that can damage things in its path,B次元官网网址� Henry said.

tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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