The four-step plan focuses on a safe and gradual return to normal activities with the first step having commenced May 25, which includes some relaxing of provincial restrictions related to gatherings and travel within health regions.
District superintendent Doug Sheppard noted the changes, however, do not impact the existing COVID-19 operational and health and safety guidelines for K-12 settings as those remain in place and must continue to be followed for the remainder of the school year.
When it comes to graduation events, following consultation with the BC Centre for Disease Control, school districts were informed they can proceed with school sponsored events including graduation ceremonies and other activities that are held on or off of school grounds, but they must continue to follow the previously issued K-12 guidance.
Community organized and private events that aren’t school sponsored must follow the requirements of the recently updated provincial health officer order on gatherings.
These include:
• A program for children and youth which can include events such as a safe grad held at a community centre.
The requirements include, but are not limited to, up to 50 people total, including event staff and volunteers.
No spectators are allowed and people must maintain a two-metre distance from those outside their household, measures are to avoid congregation.
• An outside, seated event which can include events such as group dinners.
The requirements for these events include, but are not limited to, up to 50 people total including event staff and volunteers.
People must also maintain two metres from those outside their household.
There must be a chair available for every person and people must remain seated except to obtain food or drink, or to use the washroom.
Community-organized events must also have a COVID-19 safety plan. For more information, check https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/checklist/covid-19-safety-plan?lang=en.
• For personal gatherings, such as those organized among families and friends, up to 10 people are allowed to gather outdoors.
For indoors, up to five visitors or one other household can visit a personal residence. For example, up to five people from different households can attend a dinner party at a household of four people, or one household of seven people can attend a birthday at another household of four people.
People can learn more about the rules on BC's Restart Plan web page at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restart
Meanwhile, Fraser Health is hosting a free town hall meeting on Thursday, June 3 for parents, caregivers and youth as panel experts, including Dr. Elizabeth Brodkin, Chief Medical Health Officer, to discuss COVID-19 immunizations for youth.
Event details can be found at https://www.fraserhealth.ca/events#.YK_kgL5KiUk=null&o=EventDate,Ascending.
