Photo: Government of B.C. flickr

Sophie Gray

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Premier John Horgan extended the provincial state of emergency in B.C. Wednesday, but also announced a possible plan to reopen parts of the economy starting next week.

In a press conference from Victoria, Horgan announced he is extending the provincial state of emergency for another two weeks based on recommendations from B.C.’s health officials. Although B.C. has been doing well, and the province is in a good position in the fight against COVID-19, the fight isn’t over yet the premier said. 

“As we look toward the future and our ‘new normal,’ we must remember what got us to this point and continue to stay the course now to keep out communities and our loved ones safe.”

Horgan said his government is creating a plan that will begin to restart the economy in B.C. The plan will be implemented in phases to slowly ease the province into the new normal and more details are coming next week. 

“It’ll be guided, of course, by the science and the work of public health officials,” said Horgan. “And it’ll be a phased in approach as other provinces are doing, but it’ll be different in British Columbia because we resisted a full lockdown of our economy.”

Horgan said this means that the phases will look slower, as businesses like construction and agriculture that were shut down in other provinces have remained in business in B.C. He said the plan will rely on businesses, employees and the general public buying in fully to the provincial plan.

The premier said the government will be working with businesses and organizations like WorkSafeBC to ensure each sector has protocols and policies clearly outlined to ensure the safety of their businesses, employees and the people using their services.

Horgan noted that these measures are to help people feel safe enough to put their money back into the economy by returning to places like restaurants or coffee shops. 

“It’s not just going to be the flick of a switch,” Horgan said. “The consuming public has to be comfortable and confident when they go into a restaurant that they are going to be safe. Similarly, workers in that sector need that confidence as well and the only way we build that confidence is to have a set common protocols, common guidelines.”

Horgan said the process will be slow and methodical, taking place one small phase at a time to reduce the possibility of a COVID-19 flare up in the coming months.