By Sophie Gray
Local Journalism Initiative
B.C. announced only two new cases of COVID-19 yesterday as the province moved into the first day of phase two of the pandemic response plan.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix took to the shared the positive news of the smallest daily increase on record since the pandemic took hold in March.
“When you’re looking for cases and you only find two, that’s a very positive indication,” said Dix.
The number of active cases in the province has also fallen to 325, while 45 people remain under hospital care for COVID-19. There were also an additional three deaths reported in the last 24 hours.
Yesterday marked the first day of phase two of B.C.’s reopening plan. Businesses across the province were permitted to open their doors with the easing of restrictions and health orders placed on different economic sectors.
“For employees, customers and businesses owners, I want to reassure you that we would not be easing these restrictions if we did not feel we could do so safely,” said Dr. Henry. “We can flatten our curve and reopen our province.”
The easing of restrictions comes with new regulations, including businesses displaying plans for the public to see how they are implementing measures to ensure the safety of the public and employees.
These plans, said Dr. Henry, are required while the WorksafeBC guidelines released last week are recommendations and not mandated for opening.
“There’s an order in place that requires business, all businesses to post their plans publicly,” said Dr. Henry. “That’s where the accountability is, to the public.”
She said that if the public or employees are concerned that a business is not operating safely and instituting proper procedures, public health, WorksafeBC and environmental health and safety officers can be contacted to investigate.
