BC Will End Mask Mandates on March 11, Vaccine Passports on April 8

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a press conference at the legislature in Victoria on Nov. 1, 2021. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)

British Columbia is dropping its mask mandates starting March 11 at 12:01 a.m., followed by the end of COVID-19 vaccine passport requirements on April 8.

Speaking at a press conference on March 10, provincial health officer Bonnie Henry said the move is possible due to lower hospitalization and transmission rates of COVID-19, as noted by the province.

With the removal of the face covering order, residents are no longer required to wear masks in all public indoor settings provincewide, including on public transit and ferries, said the province in a press release following Henry’s announcement.

The province is also lifting the capacity restrictions it imposed on worship services, and overnight camps for children and youth will be allowed starting Friday.

Business owners and event organizers will have the option to require the wearing of masks on their premises, the province said.

For K-12 schools, the mask mandates will likewise be lifted once students return to school after spring break.

Starting March 18 at 12:01 a.m., visitation limits for long-term care and seniors’ assisted living facilities will also be removed.

The province added that its proof of vaccination requirement will end on April 8 at 12:01 a.m., meaning residents no longer need to present vaccine passports to access businesses, events, or services. The lifting also applies to post-secondary student housing.

However, individual business owners and event organizers can decide whether or not to continue requiring vaccine proof.

The province stressed that mask mandates and vaccine passports still apply for federally regulated travel such as air travel.