Mask Mandates In BC Are Officially Ending & Here's Everything You Should Know​

People in B.C. will no longer have to wear a mask or face covering in bars and restaurants across the province as of Friday, March 11.

Adrian Dix, minister of health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, announced a roadmap for the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions as case numbers and hospitalizations continue to decline.

Effective March 11 at 12:01 a.m., B.C. is removing its face covering order, which required that masks be worn in indoor public spaces and at indoor events.

The province will also restore the long-term care visitation policies it had prior to additional measures that were put in place in response to Omicron starting March 18, Henry said.

The province's order restricting overnight camps for children is also being lifted, as well as faith gathering capacity limits.

Child care guidelines are going to be revised and masks will not be required for K-12 school students after spring break.

The province's proof-of-vaccination system, the BC Vaccine Card, will no longer be required as of April 8.

However, the province will be performing "ongoing surveillance" in the fall to "inform prevention and control."

On March 9, B.C. reported 274 new cases of COVID-19 and 14 more deaths.

The 14 deaths came alongside another decline in hospitalizations. The number of patients in B.C. hospitals with COVID-19 is now 405, down from 419 on Tuesday.

A total of 58 patients are currently in intensive care, down from 63 the day before.