The province has officially entered step two of its four-step “restart” plan to get B.C. back on track.

The criteria for step two is that at least 65 per cent of the 18+ population should be vaccinated with the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, along with declining case counts and COVID-19 hospitalizations.

Step two allows for outdoor personal gatherings with up to 50 people. This includes birthday parties, backyard BBQs, block parties. Indoor personal gatherings with five people or one household is permitted.

Organized gatherings, both indoors and outdoor, can have 50 people with a COVID-19 safety plan in place.

Religious gatherings of either 10 per cent of the building’s capacity or 50 people are also permitted with a COVID-19 safety plan.

In terms of travel, the province lifted the restriction limiting travel within the health regions, allowing recreational travel within the whole province.

The out-of-province travel advisory remains in place.

As for restaurants and bars, they can serve liquor now until midnight. Groups of up to six people (not restricted to your household or bubble) are allowed to dine together. Banquet halls can also operate with limited capacity and a COVID-19 safety plan.

Movie theatres are also opening with limited capacity. Locally, the Oliver Theatre has reopened once again after months of no screenings.

High and low intensity group exercise will be allowed at a reduced capacity. Indoor and outdoor games and sports for both adults and youth are allowed too.

Masks are still required in indoor spaces, as are physical distancing measures.

Currently, the province reported that more than 75 per cent of adults in B.C. are now vaccinated with their first dose.

B.C. case count has also been on a decline (Monday had the lowest daily case count since last September with 68 positive cases recorded in the province).

“I am confident that we are on track to safely and confidently bridge to step two and am amending the relevant provincial health officer orders so we can do just that,” said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry in a news release.

“The data shows us that with strong safety plans in place, and all of us continuing to use our layers of protection, we can now increase our much-needed social connections a little bit more. Whether it is travelling to visit family in B.C., having a small wedding or watching your child’s soccer game, these are the things we have all missed.”

The province is aiming to roll into step three of the restart plan by July 1.