British Columbia is bringing back indoor masks in public settings as COVID-19 transmission due to the Delta variant is increasing across B.C.
Over a three-day period from August 20 to 22, B.C. reported 1,711 new cases of COVID-19.
The province says, starting Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, masks must be worn by people 12 and older, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor public spaces throughout B.C.
Indoor public places where masks are required:
- malls, shopping centres, coffee shops and retail and grocery stores;
- liquor and drug stores;
- airports, city halls, libraries, community and recreation centres;
- restaurants, pubs and bars (unless seated);
- on public transportation, in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle;
- areas of office buildings where services to the public are provided;
- common areas of sport and fitness centres when not engaged in physical activity;
- common areas of post-secondary institutions and non-profit organizations; and
- inside schools for all K-12 staff, visitors and students in grades 4-12
Exemptions:
People who cannot wear a mask due to psychological, behavioural or health condition, or due to a physical, cognitive or mental impairment or who cannot put on or remove a mask without the assistance of others are exempt.
Masks may be removed temporarily in indoor public places to identify the individual wearing the mask, to consume food or beverage at a location designated for this purpose, while participating in a sport or fitness activity in a sport facility or while receiving a personal or health service that requires the mask to be removed.
Masks are not recommended for children under the age of two, but are encouraged for children aged two to 12 in public settings. Children older than 12 must wear a mask in a public indoor space, unless they are exempt.
The province says this temporary order will be reassessed once the B.C. vaccine card requirement is fully implemented across the province.