BC Rolls Back More COVID-19 Restrictions & Here's What Just Came Into Effect

B.C. health officials announced a string of decisions regarding COVID-19 measures, which came into effect on Friday, April 8, adding that there is "no magic moment to lift restrictions."

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the province's proof of vaccination system, the B.C. Vaccine Card, would no longer be required.

The removal of the province's vaccine passport means that unvaccinated people, who were previously not permitted to dine inside restaurants and bars, attend movie theatres, or indoor concerts and sports venues, will now be allowed to attend such venues.

Proof of vaccination is still required on federally-regulated travel, such as airplanes.

Health officials also encouraged some citizens to get a fourth booster dose this spring and said that it will begin sending invitations to Indigenous and clinically extremely vulnerable people aged 55 and up, as well as people aged 70 and up.

"There's no amount of delaying that will make it absolutely safe all the time. So it is something that we need to find this balance and I believe as we're transitioning through this, we have the tools that we know work," Dr. Henry said.

"We have vaccination, we have the things that we are getting used to being in the habit of doing — like staying away when we're sick, like wearing a mask when it's appropriate," she added.

Dr. Henry also said that it is "time to walk through this transition together" and she thanked British Columbians for doing their part.

She added that it "has been a most challenging time, and we are not through it yet. But your kindness and compassion has made the difference in so many ways and we need to keep doing this together through this phase. And as we get to the next phase in the spring and fall."

B.C. ended it mask mandates on March 11 and removed measures on long-term care visitation on March 18.