On Tuesday May 25, we announced BC’s Restart Plan. This is a step-by-step guide as to how we’ll be able to come together again and resume some of the things we love, like travel, sports, gatherings, and events.

Like all the steps we’ve taken over the past year, this plan is informed by data and guided by public health advice. We remain focused on protecting British Columbians and ensuring the sacrifices we’ve all made aren’t put at risk.

More and more of us are getting vaccinated every day, and this is making a difference in reducing transmission. This is what is allowing us to carefully relax restrictions.

As of Tuesday, we are in Step 1 of the plan. This means that indoor dining can resume with safety protocols, and we can start having indoor visits of up to 5 people (or one other household). Outdoor sports games can also resume for adults and youth, with no spectators at this time. These are only a few highlights – I encourage you to check out the full plan at gov.bc.ca/restartbc.

Step 2 will start June 15 at the earliest, as long as we reach a 65% first-dose vaccination rate in the 18+ population, and provided our case counts and hospitalizations continue to decline.

This means that in order to continue with our restart, and have the summer we all want, we all need to continue following public health measures – continue wearing your mask in public places, staying within your travel zone, and if you feel sick, stay at home and get tested.

Getting vaccinated is how we will all get back to normal. If you haven’t yet, now is the time. Everyone 12 and older in BC can register online at getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca or by phone at 1-833-838-2323. Once you have registered, you’ll receive a text or email shortly with a link to book your appointment.

If you’ve already registered, take a few minutes to check in with your family, friends and neighbours –they might need some help or just an extra nudge to get themselves registered and keep themselves and their community safe.