By Lyonel Doherty

Every business that plans to reopen starting May 19 must have a COVID-19 safety plan to ensure that employees and customers are protected from the virus, says Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

In her update today, Henry said the government has revised orders that businesses can follow to reopen safely. She noted that WorkSafe BC has developed guidance for industry and is available for consultation. In addition, each health authority has environmental health officers to help businesses reopen with proper administrative controls. Businesses can get more information by calling 1-888-621-7233.

Henry said businesses need to think about smaller groups, fewer faces and bigger spaces to ensure people remain safe and that the virus does not “take off again.”

She pointed out that engineering controls such as plexiglass barriers are effective in reducing transmission. She also said businesses must be able to identify if anyone is feeling unwell and never allowing anyone with symptoms to come to work.

“There is no flexibility . . . we have to make a pact with each other to keep our germs to ourselves.”

Henry said non medical masks can be helpful but they do not replace engineering controls and safe distancing measures. In fact, they are the least effective measure, she pointed out, noting they only keep droplets in; they don’t effectively protect you from getting the virus.

She said wearing masks make sense in hair salons and on transit buses.

In her update, Henry reported 21 new COVID-19 cases in B.C., bringing the total to 2,428, including 181 cases in Interior Health.

She said active outbreaks continue in 15 long-term care facilities impacting 326 residents and 199 staff members. 

There is a total of 355 active cases in B.C., with 49 people in hospital, including 11 in critical care.

One additional death has been reported in the Vancouver Health region, bringing the total deaths in B.C. to 141.

Henry said 1,932 people have fully recovered from the virus.

She reminded B.C. residents who work in industrial camps in Alberta to self-isolate for 14 days when they return home, adding that transmissions have occurred when people didn’t realize they were carrying the infection.

Henry thanked all of the people who completed the new COVID-19 response survey and encouraged more people, especially seniors, to tell their stories.

During question period, Henry acknowledged that businesses continue to suffer from having to follow provincial guidelines, but she stressed they are necessary to prevent the virus from “exploding again.” She said grocery stores are going a great job following the guidelines and preventing the spread. 

Another question related to dental practice safety, with the key being having the ability to screen out patients who may have COVID-19 symptoms.

One reporter asked Henry to allay the concerns of teachers regarding students returning to school from homes where a family member has COVID-19.  

Henry said they need to exercise caution in these situations, but noted that unless they are told to stay home, there is no reason to keep healthy students from school.