B.C. officials reinstate mask mandate in indoor public settings

This story is developing and may be updated. Last updated Aug. 26 to include comments from Archbishop Miller.

Masks will be once again required in indoor public spaces in British Columbia, effective Wednesday.

A new order from B.C.’s provincial health officer Bonnie Henry means anyone 12 or older must wear this face covering starting Aug. 25 whether or not they have been vaccinated or tested negative for COVID-19. 

Indoor public settings included in this order are malls, retail and grocery stores, airports, city halls, libraries, recreation centres, public transportation, areas of office buildings where staff serve the public, common areas of post-secondary schools and non-profit organizations, and all K-12 schools.

Masks are also required when entering a restaurant or pub (but not while seated at a table) and in common areas of sport or fitness centres when not actively exercising.

The indoor mask mandate does not extend to religious places of worship. A document released to faith leaders Aug. 24 states that worship services are exempt from the mask mandate and from seeking proof of immunization, but that “faith leaders are supported to implement these additional measures in their in-person services should they desire to do so.”

Archbishop J. Michael Miller of Vancouver released guidance Aug. 25 calling it “prudent” that “the wearing of masks will be required when attending Masses in the churches of the Archdiocese of Vancouver.” He said this instruction will be effective beginning Aug. 28 if possible, but no later than Sept. 4.

“As transmission of COVID-19 increases in B.C., primarily among unvaccinated people and in part due to the Delta variant, it’s important to take this extra temporary step to make indoor public spaces safer for everyone,” said Henry.

According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, there are currently 5,056 active cases of COVID in B.C., a province with a population of about five million. There are 133 people currently in hospital with the virus, and 80 in critical care.

A few exemptions to the mask mandate exist. People who cannot wear a mask or cannot wear or remove one without assistance need not wear one. Masks are not recommended for children under age 2 and are encouraged, but not required, for children in kindergarten through Grade 3 while attending school.

The temporary measure will be reconsidered after the B.C. vaccine card goes into effect. That “card,” proof of one’s COVID vaccination status, will be required to enter a broad range of indoor and social events including sporting events, movie theatres, conferences, restaurants, fitness centres, and organized indoor events including weddings. No exemptions have been offered to those delaying or unable to receive a COVID vaccine for health, conscience, or other reasons.

B.C. education minister Jennifer Whiteside said Aug. 24 learning groups or cohorts, which were used in the last school year as a COVID safety precaution, are not being considered this fall.

Instead, elementary and secondary schools are expected to focus on increased ventilation, regular disinfecting, hand hygiene, and daily health checks.