The COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia formed part of an ongoing worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). On January 28, 2020, British Columbia became the second province to confirm a case of COVID-19 in Canada.[2] The first case of infection involved a patient who had recently returned from Wuhan, Hubei, China.[3] The first case of community transmission in Canada was confirmed in British Columbia on March 5, 2020.[4]
British Columbians took numerous emergency measures in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus, such as social distancing and self-isolation. On March 23, 2020, British Columbian Premier John Horgan announced the details of the province-wide emergency relief plan, which includes income support, tax relief and direct funding in order to mitigate economic effects of the pandemic.[5] The public health emergency was ultimately ended on July 26, 2024, with all remaining public health orders rescinded.[6]
British Columbia provided an online self assessment tool for those who are concerned they may be infected.[11]First responders such as police and firefighters began asking screening questions about COVID-19 symptoms prior to attendance, and may have worn additional personal protective equipment upon attendance to residences.[12]
Closures
Gatherings of over 50 people have been banned, and bars and nightclubs have been ordered to close.[13] Restaurants and cafes were initially permitted to remain open as long as staff were able to maintain physical distance from customers. However, on March 20, provincial health officer Bonnie Henry ordered the closure of all dine-in establishments.[14] On March 21, she ordered all personal service establishments, such as day spas, hair and beauty salons, and tattoo parlours, to close for the foreseeable future.[15] Many cities have closed public playgrounds, including Vancouver,[16] Delta,[17]Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody.[18]
Numerous businesses have voluntarily reduced operating hours or closed physical locations. Many have moved operations to phone and internet.[19][10]
Data in the BC COVID-19 dashboard is updated from Monday to Friday only.[48] The number of cumulative cases and deaths on Saturdays, if available, are based on daily updates provided to the Government of Canada.[49] The numbers of cumulative cases and deaths on Sundays up to July 5 are calculated based on the surveillance report published next Monday. The numbers of cumulative cases on Sundays from July 12 onwards are calculated based on the “New Cases” figure shown in the BC COVID-19 dashboard next Monday.
*BC has revised the new case numbers for November 18, 20 and 21 where those are the days the province has topped the mark of 800 in a day. **November 24, where there were 941 new cases, has been revised to 706 cases. [50] ***2021 Easter long weekend revisions on new cases: 1,074 for Friday, 1,077 for Saturday, 999 for Sunday, and 890 for Monday.[51]
Notes:
↑ The decrease in the number of recoveries on April 17, 2020 corresponds to a change in criteria used to determine recoveries in Vancouver Coastal Health cases.[20]
↑ The data on May 14 include fifteen newly reported cases and one additional case added due to a data correction.[21]
↑ The data on May 22 includes eighteen newly reported cases and ten additional cases added due to two data corrections.[22]
↑ The data on May 28 includes nine new cases reported on May 28 and one case removed due to a data correction.[23]
↑ The data on June 4 includes five newly reported cases and four epidemiologically-linked (epi-linked) cases (symptomatic individuals who had close contacts with confirmed cases but did not receive tests). Epi-linked cases were tracked starting May 19 and included in the daily case counts beginning June 4.[24][25]
↑ Although one new case was reported today, the total does not reflect a change compared to yesterday. One previously reported case has been removed due to data correction.[26]
↑ Starting June 11, BC Centre for Disease Control reduces the surveillance report frequency to Mondays and Thursdays only. [27]
↑ Starting July 16, BC Centre for Disease Control reduces the surveillance report frequency to weekly on Thursdays only. [28]
↑ Including 40 historic cases tested between August 11 and September 16 as the patients did not have personal health numbers. [29]
↑ The sharp decrease of 522 active cases and increase of 617 recoveries were occurred due to the delayed reporting. [30]
↑ One case was removed due to a data correction. [31]
↑ Starting February 10, 2022, BCCDC is no longer providing active and recovered cases due to waning data accuracy.[46]
↑ Due to the system-wide update, only 246 of 519 new cases were added to the data.
↑ From February 19 onwards, deaths are reported as a unit and not by day.[47]
2020
January to April
The first case in British Columbia was reported on January 28. The person had returned from Wuhan and began experiencing symptoms on January 26, with self-isolation beginning immediately.[52]
The first case in BC's interior was reported on February 14. The person had recently returned from China, and was self-isolating.[53]
The first case in the Fraser Health region was reported on February 20. This was also the first BC case where the person had travelled from Iran. The person immediately began self-isolation.[54]
The first two cases in the Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver were reported on March 7. One resident and one staff member were diagnosed,[55] and the centre is thought to be Canada's first case of community transmission.[56] BC's first two cases linked to the Grand Princess were hospitalized and also reported on March 7.[55]
On March 9, the Lynn Valley outbreak resulted in Canada's first death: a man in his 80s with pre-existing health conditions.[56]
On March 17, three more deaths were announced: two were at the Lynn Valley Care Center, and the other was "in [a] hospital in the Fraser Health region".[57]
Anti-lockdown protest in Vancouver on April 26, 2020
On March 19, a death was reported at the Lynn Valley Care Centre,[58] followed by an additional death on March 21.[59]
On April 17, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that B.C. had succeeded in reducing the number of cases, the health-care system was not overwhelmed, and that the province had "flattened [the] curve".[60]
On April 24, Attorney General David Eby appointed Allan Seckel to chair a Cross-Jurisdictional Technical Advisory Group to assist the provincial court system amidst public health restrictions.[61][62][63]
May to August
On May 13, it was disclosed that while in the quarantine system imposed by the government of British Columbia on international arrivals, eight farm workers out of 1,500 had tested positive for COVID-19 disease. The province started allowing imported farmhands in April and was the only province to implement mandatory quarantine.[64]
On May 19, the government announced that it was advancing to phase 2 of the restart plan, allowing all retail, restaurants, libraries, museums, offices and childcare to reopen. Parks and beaches were also allowed to reopen with social distancing requirements in place. Medically necessary services for physiotherapy, dentistry, massage therapy and chiropractic were also allowed to resume, along with hair salons and counselling services.[65]
On June 24, Premier John Horgan and Henry announced that BC had successfully flattened the curve enough to allow the province to proceed to phase 3 of the restart plan, allowing the film industry to resume, and a return for in-person education for elementary and high school students in September. Gatherings of people greater than 50 were still prohibited.[66][67] Entry to stage 4 was conditional on "widespread vaccination, community immunity, or successful treatments";[68] the national and global numbers of active cases also needed to decline in order for the province to recommend its implementation. Once BC moved to stage 4, conventions, concerts, international tourism, and professional sports would have been allowed.[68]
In July 2020 the Provincial Government announced back to school plans for the 2020–21 school year.[69]
In August 2020, the Ministry of Health reviewed guidance from the World Health Organization that indicated that younger children were likely not notable vectors of transmission for SARS-CoV-2, and were at significantly lower risk of developing COVID-19 than adults.[70][71]
On August 4, a group of doctors and dentists operating under the name Masks4Canada published an open letter to Henry, Dix and Horgan requesting the implementation of mask mandates and supporting an educational initiative to increase mask use.[72] They reiterated the call for firmer action one week later.[73]
September to December
On October 19, Henry declared that British Columbia was in a second wave.[74] On October 30, MLA Adrian Dix announced an amended Provincial Health Officer order, which limits gatherings in private residences to six guests.[75][76]
On October 21, British Columbia declared the first school outbreak at École de l’Anse-au-sable in Kelowna.[77]
On October 27, the President of UFCW 1518, Kim Novak, wrote to Henry requesting that she mandate that customers wear masks while shopping at grocery stores.[78]
On November 5, BC Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender issued a guidance document on human rights considerations surrounding face mask policies.[80]
On November 7, Henry announced two-week regional lockdown measures including the restriction of all social gatherings of any size in the Fraser and Vancouver regions to immediate household members only from 10 p.m. until noon of November 23. Other measures restricted travel and group fitness activities.[81][82]
On November 11, Island Health declared first outbreak on Vancouver Island at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.[83]
On November 12, Henry shared modelling data that suggests BC could expect the number of daily new cases to surpass 1,000 unless residents alter their behaviours.[84]
On November 14, three schools in the Fraser Health region were closed for two weeks after an outbreak and two "clusters" were reported.[89] Fraser Health issued a public exposure notice for Slumber Lodge Motel in Hope November 7–9.[90] British Columbia also introduced new fines for Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health: party buses and limousines spotted on the streets will be issued a $2,000 fine plus an additional $200 for each participating individual.[91]
On November 16, four new care home outbreaks were declared in Surrey, New Westminster and Burnaby.[92] Dr. Bonnie Henry penned an op-ed addressing why there is not a universal mask mandate in BC, explaining that "[o]rdering universal mask use in all situations creates unnecessary challenges with enforcement and stigmatization."[93]
On November 17, Island Health reported the first long-term care home outbreak in Port Alberni at Tsawaayuus Rainbow Gardens.[94] In Victoria, a city hall employee was diagnosed between November 13–16, and began self-isolating shortly after.[95] Additional potential public exposures at Sobeys and Loblaws groceries stores and pharmacies were also reported.[96] The outbreak at Tabor care home in the Fraser Valley reached 101 cases.[97]Provincial Health Services Authority President Réka Gustafson stated that children were twice as likely to catch COVID-19 at home than at school or daycare, indicating to Bonnie Henry and colleagues that transmission rates within schools are overestimated.[98]
On November 18, Horgan filed "Second Components" to BC's regional COVID-19 orders, hinted at more restrictions, and asked the federal government to discourage travel between the provinces amid the increase of COVID-19 cases.[99][100][101]
On November 19, the BC government issued several new public health orders, including the compulsory wearing of masks in indoor public spaces, and the expansion of the lower mainland specific health orders of November 7 to the entire province. Event, church service and gathering restrictions would be in place until December 7 at the earliest, prohibiting all social interaction outside of immediate household or core-bubbles.[102][103][104][105]Northern Health declared an outbreak at an LNG site after 14 employees were confirmed positive in Kitimat, who were immediately told to self-isolate.[106] The Society of BC Veterinarian announced an increase of "kennel cough" among the dogs in the Lower Mainland that may have been connected to the pandemic.[107]
On November 20, Surrey reported 19 school exposures within 24 hours.[108]
On November 21, Interior Health declared an outbreak at Orchard Manor in Kelowna over a positive test of a staff member.[109]
On November 23, the outbreak at Nanaimo General Hospital which was declared on Remembrance Day, was declared over.[110] Over the weekend, Campbell River declared an outbreak at a seniors home.[111]
On November 24, the provincial state of emergency, which was declared since March 18, has been renewed 19 times, and resulted in reaching the mark of 8 months.[112] Movie theatres, dance studios, and yoga classes on the mainland suspended their operations again based on the provincial restriction.[113][114]Burnaby Hospital declared an outbreak that resulted in five deaths and 95 patient and staff infections.[115] Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announced a new order under the (Emergency Program Act) that allows law enforcement officers to issue $230 fines to anyone who violates the indoor mask mandate included in the health orders declared on November 19 .[116][117]
On November 25, CTV News Vancouver reported that the COVID-19 infections in Fraser Health was among the highest per capita in Canada, double the national average.[118]
On November 26, eight cases were reported at the BC provincial courthouse in Surrey, though no outbreak was declared.[119]
On November 29, three Fraser Valley churches defied an order to "suspend in-person religious gatherings" from Henry, and the RCMP fined one church in Langley $2,300. The police were called into the Riverside Calvary Chapel "after municipal bylaw officers reported a service was under way". The other churches were in Chilliwack.[120]
On December 1, Island Health noted that 135 cases had been added on Vancouver Island in the past week.[121]
On December 5, Fraser Health reported two more long-term care home outbreaks in Chilliwack and Coquitlam.[122]
On December 6, a Fraser Valley mink farm declared an outbreak after eight people tested positive on site.[123]
On December 7, Henry officially renewed the provincial restrictions once again through Christmas and New Year's Eve until January 8, 2021.[124]
On December 8, Premier Horgan stated that BC is expecting roughly 4,000 people to be vaccinated by the end of next week.[125] Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth also threatened to increase the fines for repeatedly breaking the pandemic-related rules after two churches defied health orders on December 6.[126][127]
On December 15, Henry noted that the "curve" was being flattened due to the COVID-19 restrictions.[129] Burnaby Hospital reported a second outbreak after the previous one ended on December 11.[130] A 64-year-old healthcare worker from Vancouver General Hospital was the first British Columbian to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.[131][132] Interior Health identified 60 cases at Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna that were suspected of being linked to gatherings.[133] Horgan stated that the province would strengthen the enforcement on COVID-19 public health orders.[134][135][136]
On December 16, three mining sites near Elkford reported an outbreak spanning 3 sites involving 27 individuals confirmed to have COVID-19.[137][138] The Wingtat Game Bird Packers Inc. poultry processing plant in Surrey was shut down after an outbreak of 30 cases was reported.[139]
On December 18, a poultry processing plant in Abbotsford declared an outbreak after nine workers tested positive for the virus.[140]
On December 19, an individual on Vancouver Island was identified as having been infected with Variant of Concern 202012/01 (VOC 202012/01), a more-contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2 that was first reported in the United Kingdom. The province publicly announced the case on December 27, stating that the resident had recently returned from travel to London on a flight to Nanaimo.[141][142]
On December 21, Henry indicated that initial doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech had completed distribution within all B.C. health regions.[143][144][145] Henry herself received her first dose of the vaccine the next day, being among the first administered by Island Health[146][147]
On December 24, a second mink farm in the Fraser Valley was placed under quarantine after a mink tested positive for COVID-19.[148]
On December 30, Henry announced an "emergency" curfew on liquor sales for New Year's Eve, prohibiting the sale of liquor at bars, restaurants, and retail stores after 8p.m, and requiring the closure of bars by 9p.m. and restaurants by 10p.m. Henry justified the order as a measure to discourage social gatherings and "risky behaviour" that could lead to exposure.[149][150]
2021
January to April
On January 3, A cluster of COVID-19 cases was found in Snuneymuxw First Nation in Nanaimo back in late December 2020 resulted in a community lockdown until at least January 15 at 9pm.[151]
On January 5, B.C.'s Fraser Valley mink farmers decided to euthanize the remaining 1,000 minks due to the excessive positive COVID-19 tests in the farm.[152][153] Vancouver Coastal Health reported an outbreak at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver that has led to the closure of the cardiac unit.[154]
On January 7, Henry extended the provincial restrictions until February 5.[155] That same day, Island Health reported an outbreak at the Ts’i’ts’uwatul’ Lelum Center in Duncan after a staff member tested positive.[156]Cowichan Tribes, a First Nations band in the Cowichan Valley, was issued a stay-at-home order beginning from 5 p.m. until January 22 after a spike of COVID-19 cases.[157]
On January 9, Fraser Health reported two more Surrey long-term care homes facing COVID-19 outbreaks, with one resident and three staff members testing positive for the virus.[158] Island Health also reported an outbreak at a Victoria long-term care home after an employee tested positive.[159]
On January 12, B.C. announced that the supply of COVID-19 vaccines was almost depleted, and worked on a vaccine distribution plan with the federal government.[160]
On January 14, Horgan sought legal advice to determine if an inter-provincial travel ban in response to increasing COVID-19 cases in the other provinces would be constitutional.[161][162] B.C. confirmed its first case of South African COVID-19 variant, 501.V2, which involved a person who had not travelled or come in close contact with a traveller.[163]
On January 18, Fraser Health reported another COVID-19 outbreak at Eagle Ridge Manor in Port Moody after one staff member and one resident tested positive for the virus.[164]
On January 19, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade published a survey on its members in regards to the impact COVID-19 has in regards to Metro Vancouver businesses; some statistics include 24 percent of businesses expecting layoffs and 22 percent planning on reducing hours.[165] On the same day, Dix said that the second doses of the Pfizer vaccine would still be taking place in the province, though new vials would not be delivered to Canada in the following week.[166][167] He also remarked that the provincial vaccination rollout had to adjust over the shipment delay;[168] as such, the province had to rely on Moderna's vaccine until further notice.[169]
On January 20, Providence Health Care reported an outbreak at St. Paul's Hospital's renal inpatient unit.[170]
On January 21, Interior Health reported a new COVID-19 community cluster in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region as a result of "social events and gatherings in Williams Lake".[171]
On January 22, Horgan announced an immunization schedule to vaccinate individuals by demographic.[172]
On January 25, B.C. tracked six VOC 202012/01 and three 501.V2 cases; all VOC cases were linked to travelling.[173] Island Health reported a second COVID-19 outbreak at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.[174]
On January 26, Henry warned that the province was at risk for another case spike.[175]
On February 1, Mike Farnworth received a recommendation to increase fines for attending or promoting non-compliant events as the most effective measurer to enforce compliance with public health measures.[177]
On February 5, B.C. indefinitely extended the ban on social gatherings and events.[178]
On February 9, Henry sought an injunction against three Fraser Valley churches that defied COVID orders,[179] which was denied by the Supreme Court.[180] The churches were granted an exemption on February 27 to hold services outside while obeying safety protocols.[181]
On February 12, Henry announced the first confirmed case of the Nigerian variant in the province.[182] In the Northern Health region, a gold mine north of Stewart declared a COVID-19 exposure infecting over 22 employees and contractors,[183] before revising the total to 42 cases on February 18.[184]
On February 26, Fraser Health stated that three more Surrey schools were exposed to COVID-19 variants of concern.[185]
On March 1, B.C. Health officials predicted that all British Columbians should be able to get the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of July.[186] They revised and extended the time between the two vaccine doses from 3–4 weeks to four months.[187] On March 4, Henry said that new vaccine approvals would hasten the schedule.[188]
On March 9, a new COVID-19 outbreak was declared in a Surrey care home where 88 percent of residents were vaccinated.[189] The provincial top doctor also warns that the vaccines will not stop all COVID-19 transmission.[190]
On March 10, B.C. Health officials decided to allow adults in Prince Rupert and Port Edward to be eligible for the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines by mid-March, as infections rates did not improve with the rest of the province.[191][192]
On March 11, Henry permitted outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people,[193] and provincial health officials stated on March 12 that all bars and restaurants must stop serving alcohol at 8 p.m. on St. Patrick's Day.[194][195] Naus informed Henry that BC was seeing rates of anaphylaxis reported at higher than the Canadian average.[176]
On March 15, Henry stated that she was confident that all vaccines are "safe and effective", despite the AstraZeneca vaccine's side effects.[196]
On March 23, Henry warned that the province is potentially at its brink of the third wave in regards to the increase of COVID-19 infections among people aged between 20 and 59.[197][198]
On March 29, B.C. temporarily suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for adults under the age of 55, under the recommendation of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI),[199] and resumed vaccinations with it for people aged 55 to 65 the following day.[200]
On April 5, two Vancouver restaurants had their business licences suspended for at least two weeks for defying COVID-19 related health orders against indoor dining.[201]
On April 6, Dix declared that the Brazilian COVID-19 variant (P.1) is more contagious than B.1.1.7 and B.1.351.[202][203] The provincial government also made a province-wide online vaccination booking system public.[204]
During the daily report on April 8, Henry stated that the province stopped determining strains in positive COVID-19 cases, which would all be presumed highly infectious.[205] Health officials also hinted that the variants were replacing the standard COVID-19 cases.[206]
On April 12, Henry declared that B.C. was officially in a third wave.[207] The day after, she urged all residents to "stay in their immediate neighbourhoods".[208]
On April 19, Henry reported that an infant younger than two years old with pre-existing conditions had died related to COVID-19.[209] Health officials also lowered the age limit for the AstraZeneca vaccine to 40 years and older as B.C. set up vaccination clinics in the hot spots.[210]
On April 21, the province reported that 39 recent cases since April 4 were of the B.1617 variant of SARS-CoV-2 first discovered in India, which had been deemed a variant of interest.[211] Due to the threat of variants of concern, Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth issued an order on April 23 to prohibit non-essential interprovincial travel between the Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, and Northern/Interior regions. The order would last through at least May 25, and be punishable by fines.[212][213]
On April 26, health officials confirmed that an infant died of COVID-19 back in January.[214]
On April 28, B.C. lowered the age limit of vaccine eligibility and began offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to people 30 years and older.[215]
On May 6, B.C. reported the first case of blood clotting from the AstraZeneca vaccine.[218] On May 11, B.C. introduced legislation to fill gaps in sick pay related to COVID-19.[219]
On May 13, it was reported that over 98 percent of B.C.'s recent COVID-19 cases involved people who were either unvaccinated or had been vaccinated for less than three weeks.[220] B.C. also reported a second case of blood clotting related to the AstraZeneca vaccine.[221]
On May 18, as per the deprecation of the AstraZeneca vaccine across Canada due to concerns over blood clotting, health officials stated that those who had received it as their first dose may receive a different mRNA-based vaccine as their second dose.[222]
On May 24, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) issued a report stating that at least 85% of all new cases from May 9 to 15 involved four variants of concern. The Delta variant accounted for roughly 2% of these cases.[223]
On May 25, Horgan and Henry announced BC's Restart, a plan to ease the current restrictions (including restrictions on gatherings, business capacity, and interprovincial travel) in four phases, based on cases, hospitalizations, and vaccination progress. The process was expected to be completed by September.[224]
On May 27, the B.C. government announced that the time in between Moderna and Pfizer vaccine shots was reduced to around eight weeks.[225]
In the week of May 28, the number of COVID-19 cases attributed to the Delta variant rose to seven percent.[226]
On June 3, Henry reported three outbreaks at B.C. care homes involving the Delta variant.[227]
On June 15, due to declining cases and at least 65% of adults having received at least one vaccine dose, the province entered Step 2 of BC's Restart. This included lifting the interprovincial travel ban, and easing of capacity limits on gatherings and some businesses. The Delta variant was stated to be a "concern" in the province, but was not yet spreading rapidly.[228][229]
Over the Family Day weekend, Fraser Health (which had been the region most-impacted by COVID-19 provincially) administered 7,000 vaccine doses in a 32-hour "Vax-a-Thon" in Surrey.[230][231]
On July 1, the province entered Step 3 of BC's Restart; this eased further restrictions, including the indoor mask mandate, personal gatherings, some business capacity limits (subject to WorkSafeBC "communicable disease prevention guidance"), and casinos, nightclubs, and indoor sporting events to operate at limited capacities.[232]
On July 27, Dix, Henry, and Dr. Penny Ballem discussed aspects of the province's vaccine rollout and how it would deal with those who have actively refused the vaccine, with Henry stating that "It is a choice to be immunized, but there are consequences for people who are not immunized and that's going to be more important for us as we head into the fall".[233]
On July 28, health officials announced that the indoor mask mandate would be reinstated for the central Okanagan region, and that travel into the region would be discouraged regardless of vaccination status. The province cited an ongoing surge of COVID-19 cases in the region, particularly among younger residents; at least 323 cases had been recorded in the region since July 1, and the majority of them were among residents who were not yet fully-vaccinated.[234][235] On August 6, additional public health orders were announced for the region effective August 9, including ordering the closure of bars and nightclubs that do not serve food, ending liquor sales at 10 p.m. nightly, private gatherings restricted to five people, events restricted to 50 people with safety plan, and prohibiting high-intensity fitness classes.[236]
On August 8, the BCCDC suggested almost all COVID-19 cases reported in the last week of July were caused by the Delta variant.[237]
On August 9, B.C. reduced the interval between two COVID-19 vaccine doses from seven weeks to four weeks.[238]
On August 12, Dix and Henry announced all employees of assisted living and long-term care facilities in the province must be fully vaccinated by October 12.[239]
On August 20, it was announced that all targeted public health orders for the central Okanagan would be extended to the entirety of the Interior Health region. Henry stated that infections were "levelling off" in the central Okanagan, but that transmission had increased elsewhere in the region. She cited wildfire evacuations as a potential factor in these increases.[240]
On August 23, Henry announced that proof of vaccination would become mandatory for people aged 12 and over at "social, recreational, and discretionary events and businesses",[241] such as restaurants, nightclubs, gyms, organized indoor events, and ticketed sporting events. Patrons under 12 were required be accompanied by a vaccinated adult. Effective September 13, individuals were required to present proof of at least one vaccine dose, and by October 24 they had to present proof of full vaccination. Henry stated that this order would last through at least January 31, 2022, but may be extended if needed. The measure was enforced with a new B.C. vaccine card based on the SMART Health Card framework, which was also downloadable for smartphones.[242] There were no exceptions allowed for recent negative tests, or for medical or religious reasons that prevent vaccination; faith-based gatherings and K-12 school activities were not covered by the order.[243][244][245][246]
The next day, Henry announced that the mask mandate for public indoor spaces would also be reinstated effective August 25, due to the Delta variant and the number of unvaccinated residents in the province.[247] She also discussed plans for the next school year, allowing full-day, in-person learning as normal, but with masks mandatory for staff and students in grades 4 and up.[248][249]
On August 27, B.C. reported an increase in breakthrough infections among fully vaccinated individuals, which were attributed to unvaccinated people.[250]
September to December
In response to a significant increase of cases in the Northern Health region, the province established regional restrictions on September 2.[251] Henry also issued a written mask order which formalized her August 24 announcement.[252]
On September 3, B.C. Legislative Assembly Management Committee passed a motion to implement "a proof of COVID-19 vaccination program be established for Members of the Legislative Assembly, caucus staff and Legislative Assembly administration staff working on the legislative precinct effective September 13, 2021, and concluding on January 31, 2022"[253]
On September 7, B.C. soft-launched the vaccine passport program[254][255] before being officially implemented on September 13.[256] As of September 27, the vaccine card with a QR code became only acceptable proof of vaccination for accessing many non-essential businesses.[257]
On September 21, Henry urged pregnant women to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.[258]
On October 5, B.C. promised to offer a third COVID-19 vaccine dose to moderately and severely immunocompromised residents.[259] The BC Public Service Agency announced that provincial employees would need to receive two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and provide proof of vaccination by November 22 or be placed on unpaid leave.[260]
On October 14, B.C. announced new restrictions for residents living in the Northern Health region (including fully-vaccinated individuals) that are expected to last until November 19.[261]
On October 25, B.C. lifted indoor occupancy capacity restrictions in most regions.[262]
On October 30, B.C. introduced federal vaccine passports for people travelling by air, rail, or ship.[263]
On November 5, Henry declared COVID-19 as "[a] preventable disease" in regards the vaccines' effectiveness.[264]
On November 16, B.C. confirmed the first case of Delta sublineage AY.4.2.[265]
On November 30, B.C. confirmed the first case of the Omicron variant in the Fraser Health region, which involved a traveller who returned from Nigeria and was quarantined.[266] On December 7, four individuals who arrived from Egypt, Iran, and Nigeria tested positive for the Omicron variant. Some of the cases were fully vaccinated with different vaccines.[267]
On December 17, Henry announced that a number of new restrictions on gatherings would be implemented due to the Omicron variant: from December 20, all organized gatherings require proof of vaccination regardless of size, bars and restaurants must prohibit activities such as mingling and dancing, and venues with a capacity over 1,000 are capped at 50% capacity. Sports tournaments and "organized New Year's Eve events" are prohibited. These orders are effective through January 31, 2022. The prohibition on New Year's Eve does not apply to seated events, but they are still subject to the aforementioned restrictions on mingling and dancing. The province did not employ the curfew used last year.[268][269]
On December 20, further restrictions were announced, effective December 22 through January 18: bars, nightclubs, and fitness facilities must close; all seated venues are capped at 50% capacity regardless of venue size; restaurants may continue to operate with social distancing and a maximum of six patrons per table; organized indoor gatherings are prohibited; and private gatherings are restricted to ten vaccinated individuals from a maximum of two households.[270]
On December 31, Henry announced that the self-isolation period for fully-vaccinated individuals was reduced to five days.[271]
2022
January to April
On January 18, B.C. scheduled to reopen gyms and exercise facilities, and extended the restriction on gathering until at least February 16.[272]
On January 20, the self-isolation period for fully-vaccinated individuals was removed from the province's COVID-19 guidelines.[273]
On January 25, B.C. tentatively extended the vaccine passport system until June 30.[274]
On January 26, B.C. detected some cases of Omicron variant lineage BA.2 in the province.[275]
On January 31, B.C. Legislative Assembly Management Committee passed a motion "that the proof of COVID-19 vaccination program implemented by the committee on September 3, 2021, be extended under the same terms until June 30, 2022."[276]
On February 9, Henry discontinued the recording of active and recovered cases, stating that the data is losing its accuracy.[277]
On February 16, B.C. lifted most of the long-term restrictions that were enacted since December 2021, but mask mandates and vaccine passports remain in effect.[278]
On February 26, rapid COVID-19 antigen tests became available for people that are at least 70 years old.[279]
As of March 10, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer had received 47 exemption requests for the vaccine passport system on grounds of religious accommodation. All 47 requests were rejected. Out of 708 exemption requests on medical grounds, 71 were approved and 275 rejected.[280]
On March 11, the indoor mask mandate was lifted.[281] A mandate that required healthcare professionals to be vaccinated against COVID-19 has been abandoned, though patients have the right to be aware of their vaccination status.[282]
On March 21, the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal enacted an emergency pause on processing complaints related to face mask requirements, going into effect on March 31 until further notice.[283]
On April 7, the provincial government transitioned to a weekly report.[284]
On April 28, Henry confirmed that BC health officials were monitoring possible cases of "unusual" severe acute hepatitis occurring outside of the province in Canada, as well as the United States and United Kingdom.[286]
May
On May 4, a request made by lawyers for Henry to dismiss a court challenge against the province's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers was rejected by a judge.[287][288]
December
As of December 12, 163 employees of the provincial government had been granted an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on various grounds,[289][290] of which 58 were working from home.[291][292]
2023
March
On March 10, the BC Public Service Agency announced that the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for provincial employees would end as of April 4, 2023.[293]
April
On April 6, Henry issued an updated order indefinitely extending the province's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for healthcare workers and trainees.[294] Mask mandates were rescinded in most healthcare settings along with proof-of-vaccination policies for visitors to long-term care facilities.[295] The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal resumed processing mask-related complaints.[296]
2024
July
On July 26, Henry announced that the COVID-19 public health emergency was officially over in British Columbia, and rescinded all remaining public health orders. While the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers was ended as a result, a requirement to disclose vaccine status remained in place for anybody working in a healthcare facility including employees, contractors and volunteers.[6]
Variants of concern
The first case of the Alpha variant was confirmed on December 15, 2020, involving a traveller who had recently returned from London, UK. Beta was first confirmed on January 14, 2021, followed by Gamma on March 9. The first 39 cases of Delta were confirmed on April 21.[297][298] The first case of Omicron was confirmed on November 30, 2021, from a patient who had recently travelled to Nigeria.[266]
Starting January 14, 2022, current hospitalization has transitioned to census data by the hospitals where patients are currently hospitalized.
Starting January 21, 2022, the BC Centre for Disease Control has stopped recording the regional recovered cases.
Starting February 10, 2022, the BC Centre for Disease Control no longer provides provincial active and recovered cases due to waning data accuracy.
Starting April 7, 2022, daily reports have been replaced by weekly reports on the BC COVID-19 dashboard.[306]
Social and economic impact
Deserted exterior of Canada Place. Note the two pedestrians on the left wearing face masks.
As a result of the pandemic, BC Ferries cancelled sailings,[307] began to permit passengers to stay in their vehicles during sailings,[308] and were granted authority to refuse to transport passengers showing symptoms consistent with the coronavirus.[309][310] On April 12, BC Ferries announced that they had reduced their sailings and were operating at 50 percent capacity.[311]
In many parts of the province, residents began daily cheers at 7:00p.m. to celebrate and thank healthcare workers.[316][317][318][319][320] In April, Mr. PG flew a flag emblazoned with a red heart as part of a community support initiative.[321]
In response to layoffs and unemployment, the government suspended nearly all evictions and froze rent increases. In limited circumstances where safety concerns exist, evictions were still permitted, as well as where notices were issued prior to the state of emergency. A $500 monthly rental rebate was also created to assist tenants unable to pay their monthly rent. The rebate is paid directly to landlords of qualifying tenants.[322] The Vancouver Tenants Union called for tenants in larger complexes to unite to negotiate favourable terms with landlords. Some other tenant advocacy groups called for a large-scale rent strike.[323][324]
Closures caused cash-flow problems for attractions including Science World, the H. R. MacMillan Space Centre, and the Vancouver Aquarium, all of which rely on revenues from admissions.[329][330] Fundraisers raised over $600,000 for the Aquarium as a response to reports that the Aquarium may permanently close.[331][332]
Statistical data
New cases and deaths (weekly on Wednesdays from February 3, 2021, onwards)
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
Cumulative cases, deaths, recoveries and active cases
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
^i The decrease in the number of recoveries on April 17 corresponds to a change in criteria used to determine recoveries in Vancouver Coastal Health cases.[334]
^ii Includes fifteen new cases reported on May 14 and one additional case added due to a data correction.[335]
^iii Includes eighteen new cases reported on May 22 and ten additional cases added due to two data corrections.[336]
^iv Includes nine new cases reported on May 28 and one case removed due to a data correction.[337]
^v Includes five new cases reported on June 4 and four epidemiologically-linked (epi-linked) cases—symptomatic individuals who had close contacts with confirmed cases but did not receive tests. Epi-linked cases were tracked starting May 19 and included in the daily case counts beginning June 4.[338][339]
^vi One new case was reported on June 6 and one previously reported case removed due to a data correction.[340]
^vii 12 new cases were reported on June 6 and one previously reported case removed due to a data correction.[341]
^viii BC Centre for Disease Control reduced the surveillance report frequency to Mondays and Thursdays only, beginning June 11. [342]
^ix Starting July 16, BC Centre for Disease Control reduced the surveillance report frequency to Thursdays only. [343]
^x Starting October 22, BC Centre for Disease Control re-scheduled the weekly surveillance report to Fridays. [344]
^xiv Starting February 3, 2021, BC Centre for Disease Control re-scheduled the weekly surveillance report to Wednesdays. [346]
^xv Starting February 10, 2022, BC Centre for Disease Control no longer provides recoveries and active cases due to the loss of the accuracy in daily recordings.[347]
Note: Charts are based on numbers released by health officials and may not reflect unreported cases or recoveries. Recoveries are logged on the first date after they were announced by health officials. Sources:[348][349][350]
The COVID-19 pandemic in Canada is part of the ongoing worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019. It is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Most cases over the course of the pandemic have been in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta. Confirmed cases have been reported in all of Canada's provinces and territories.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Papua New Guinea is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus was confirmed to have reached Papua New Guinea on 20 March 2020. On 4 May 2020, Papua New Guinea was declared COVID-19 free. However, on 20 June, the government confirmed another case of COVID-19, meaning that the disease was present again within the country.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario was a viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Canada was announced on January 25, 2020, involving a traveller who had recently returned to Toronto from travel in China, including Wuhan. Ontario has had the largest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among Canada's provinces and territories, but due to having the largest population, only ranks sixth adjusted per capita. Ontario surpassed one million lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases on January 24, 2022; one day before the anniversary of the first confirmed case on January 25, 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Newfoundland and Labrador is an ongoing viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of April 12, 2023, there have been 55,091 cases and 339 deaths confirmed in Newfoundland and Labrador. As of April 13, 2023, 745,617 tests have been completed.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba is a viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
The COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec was part of the global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
The COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta is part of an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The province of Alberta has the third-most cases of COVID-19 in Canada, behind only Ontario and Quebec.
Bonnie J. Fraser Henry is a Canadian epidemiologist, physician, and public servant who has been the provincial health officer at the British Columbia Ministry of Health since 2014. Henry is also a clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia. She is a specialist in public health and preventive medicine, and is a family doctor. In her role as provincial health officer, Henry notably led the response to COVID-19 in British Columbia (BC).
The COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan is part of an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
The COVID-19 pandemic in the Northwest Territories is part of an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of February 23, 2022, there have been 8,495 confirmed cases in Northwest Territories with 7,999 recoveries and 19 deaths.
The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The pandemic has affected the Cities of Mississauga and Brampton, and the Town of Caledon, within the Regional Municipality of Peel. As part of the larger closure decisions in Ontario, a stay-at-home order shuttered all nonessential businesses, and caused event cancellations.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto is a viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), localized in Toronto. Toronto is the most populous city in Canada, and the fourth most populous city in North America.
The following is a timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada:
The COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa is part of the global ongoing viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Ottawa is the fourth most populous city in Canada, the second largest city in Ontario, and the capital city of Canada.
The following is a timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in the province of Quebec.
COVID-19 vaccination in Canada is an ongoing, intergovernmental effort coordinated between the bodies responsible in the Government of Canada to acquire and distribute vaccines to individual provincial and territorial governments who in turn administer authorized COVID-19 vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Provinces have worked with local municipal governments, hospital systems, family doctors and independently owned pharmacies to aid in part, or in full with vaccination rollout. The vaccination effort in full is the largest such immunization effort in the nation's history. The vaccination effort began December 14, 2020, and is currently ongoing.
This is a timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan, listing key policies and developments from the first confirmed infection from SARS-CoV-2 in the province. Saskatchewan reported its first positive COVID-19 tests on March 12, 2020, and its first deaths on March 30.
The following is a timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta.
Zero-COVID, also known as COVID-Zero and "Find, Test, Trace, Isolate, and Support" (FTTIS), was a public health policy implemented by some countries, especially China, during the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast to the "living with COVID-19" strategy, the zero-COVID strategy was purportedly one "of control and maximum suppression". Public health measures used to implement the strategy included as contact tracing, mass testing, border quarantine, lockdowns, and mitigation software in order to stop community transmission of COVID-19 as soon as it was detected. The goal of the strategy was to get the area back to zero new infections and resume normal economic and social activities.
COVID-19 vaccination mandates in Canada are the responsibility of provinces, territories, and municipalities, and in the case of federal public services and federally-regulated transportation industries, the federal government. COVID-19 vaccines are free in Canada through the public health care system. The federal government is responsible for procurement and distribution of the vaccines to provincial and territorial authorities; provincial and territorial governments are responsible for administering vaccinations to people in their respective jurisdictions. Mass vaccination efforts began across Canada on December 14, 2020. As the second vaccinations became more widely available in June 2021, Manitoba became the first province in Canada to offer a voluntary vaccine passport.
↑ "Week 3 2021 BC COVID-19 Situation Report"(PDF) (Press release). Victoria, BC: BC Centre for Disease Control. BC Centre for Disease Control. February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
↑ Staff (October 22, 2020). "BC COVID-19 Situation Report, October 23, 2020"(PDF) (Press release). Victoria, BC: BC Centre for Disease Control. BC Centre for Disease Control. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
↑ Staff (February 3, 2021). "Week 3, 2021 BC COVID-19 Situation Report"(PDF) (Press release). Victoria, BC: BC Centre for Disease Control. BC Centre for Disease Control. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
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Northeast facade of the Vancouver Art Gallery; normally a busy location, physical distancing has caused a sharp decrease in crowds.
An almost empty SkyTrain; normally trains would be packed full of people.
Closed movie theatre in Surrey
Playground in Port Moody, closed off with caution tape. A sign indicates the playground is closed.
The same playground, re-opened, with signage cautioning that special care should still be taken due to COVID-19.
