In the continued effort to lower COVID-19 case counts, the Government of British Columbia has reintroduced a provincial mask mandate.
Provincial health authorities made the announcement on Aug. 24, as British Columbia recorded 442 new cases of COVID-19. Starting tomorrow, Aug. 25, wearing a mask is mandatory in all indoor public spaces. This temporary order applies to everyone ages 12 and older, regardless of vaccination status.
“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,” says Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer.
People who cannot wear a mask due to physical, psychological, or behavioral health conditions are exempt from this mandate. This includes those who cannot put on or remove a mask without assistance.
According to authorities, the province will reassess the mask mandate after the B.C. vaccine card is fully implemented in certain social and recreational settings.
Learn more about the recently announced B.C. vaccine card here:
B.C. government announces proof of vaccination requirements for non-essential businesses