COVID-19 Reference Guide

COVID GRAPHIC WEBSITE MASKS

BC Restart Plan is currently on pause for the duration of province-wide restrictions. 

Click to view a full list of the 
Province-Wide restrictions. 

Emergency Status

⛔️ Public Health Emergency declared, effective March 17, 2020.
⛔️ Provincial State of Emergency declared, effective March 18, 2020.
⛔️ Provincial State of Emergency extended to December 22, 2020.

Official Information Sources

This is a regularly evolving situation, with changes on a day-by-day and even hour-by-hour basis. Thus, please take note of the following links so that you can stay up to date:

Official Health Information on COVID-19
Be cautious of information you read about the virus online. Stick with reputable sites such as:

Social gatherings and events

No social gatherings of any size at your residence with anyone other than your household or core bubble. For example:

  • Do not invite friends or extended family to your household 
  • Do not host gathering outdoors
  • Do not gather in your backyard
  • Do not have playdates for children

All events and community-based gatherings as defined in the PHO order – Gatherings and Events (PDF) are suspended. For example:

  • Galas
  • Musical or theatre performances
  • Seasonal activities
  • Silent auctions

Core bubble

For most people, their core bubble is their immediate household. An immediate household is a group of people who live in the same dwelling. For example:

  • If you have a rental suite in your home, the suite is a separate household
  • If you live in an apartment or house with roommates, you are all members of the same household

For others, including people who live alone, their core bubble may also contain a partner, relative, friend or co-parent who lives in a different household. This should be a maximum of two people outside of those living in your immediate household.

People who live alone

For people who live alone, a core bubble is a maximum of two people you see regularly. They cannot host gatherings. 

University students

Welcoming your child home from university is okay. This is not a social gathering.

Travel Advisories & Border Control

On March 25, 2020, the federal government implemented a self-isolation plan for returning international travellers on select flights under the Quarantine Act. Maximum penalties for breaking self-isolation orders include a fine of up to $750,000 and/or imprisonment for six months.

At this time, all non-essential travel should be avoided. This includes travel into and out of B.C. and between regions of the province. For example:

  • Do not travel for a vacation
  • Do not travel to visit friends or family outside of your household or core bubble

What is essential travel? Individual circumstances may affect whether a particular trip is considered essential or non-essential. Essential travel within B.C. includes:

  • Regular travel for work within your region
  • Travel for things like medical appointment and hospital visits

Coming from outside of B.C.
At this time, people travelling to B.C. from another province or territory within Canada should only come for essential reasons. If you do travel, you are expected to follow the same travel guidelines as everyone else in B.C.

Flights to and from B.C.
The order does not restrict flights entering and leaving B.C.