BC Reduces COVID 19 Self Isolation to Five Days With No Symptoms

BC Reduces COVID 19 Self Isolation to Five Days With No Symptoms
People wait in an hours-long lineup for a PCR test at a Vancouver Coastal Health COVID-19 drive-thru and walk-up testing site, in Vancouver, December 21, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)
The Canadian Press
12/31/2021
Updated:
12/31/2021

VANCOUVER—British Columbia’s top doctor says the requirement to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19 is being reduced to five days for those without symptoms.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says people must wear a mask around others for an additional five days after leaving self-isolation, which is dependent on being free of symptoms.

People who haven’t been vaccinated must self-isolate for 10 days.

Starting Saturday, visits to long-term care and assisted living facilities will also be limited to essential visitors in response to recent outbreaks.

Henry says cases of the Omicron variant are surging across the province.

She told a news conference she will re-evaluate the decision to restrict visitors on Jan. 18, when further COVID-19 public health measures are also set to expire.