Register here for your COVID-19 vaccination
Latest updates
- November 16:
- BC Health Officials emphasized the importance of vaccines and precautionary measures in this morning’s fall respiratory season update.
- Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix highlighted the benefits and protection of vaccines, both for Covid-19, as well as for influenza. Over 1.2 million flu vaccines have been given so far this season, which is about twice the number as usual at this point. Dr. Henry stressed that transmission in children is often high, but can be limited by having them vaccinated.
- They also emphasized the importance of staying home when sick, even if your symptoms are mild, as the combination of increases in Covid-19, Influenza, and RSV has the potential to lead to a surge in hospitalizations.
- Masks are also being recommended for indoor public locations, but are not being mandated.
- March 10:Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix have announced changes to BC’s pandemic restrictions.
- Starting Friday, March 11:
- Provincial mask mandate lifted
- Faith gathering capacity limits lifted
- Long-term care visitation restored
- Starting Friday, April 8:
- The BC Vaccine Card will no longer be required
- Businesses transition from COVID-19 safety plan to communicable disease plan
- Post-secondary residence vaccine requirement lifted
- February 23: Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that free 5-packs of rapid antigen tests will be available at local pharmacies starting Friday, February 25. Tests will be given to those aged 70 and up to start (upon showing their BC Services Card), with younger age groups starting within the next 3-4 weeks.
- Starting February 16 at 11:59pm
- Indoor personal gatherings – return to normal
- Indoor and outdoor organized gatherings – full capacity, dancing allowed (with masks & BC Vaccine Card)
- Indoor seated events – full capacity (with masks & BC Vaccine Card)
- Fitness centres, adult sports, dance, swimming – full capacity , no
tournament restrictions (with masks & BC Vaccine Card) - Restaurants, bars and nightclubs – full capacity, no table limits, mingling and dancing allowed (with masks & BC Vaccine Card)
- February 9: Dr. Bonnie Henry says an update next week will address the next steps for the province moving forward with the easing of public health orders.
- January 25:
- BC’s Vaccine Card usage has been extended to June 30, 2022.
- Youth sports tournaments can resume February 1, 2022
- Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people who have received their third shot will be eligible for another booster, six months after their third dose.
B.C businesses closed due to the December 22, 2021 Provincial Health Officer (PHO) orders can apply for the new Closure Relief Grant. On January 19th, it was announced that this grant has been doubled.
Entry to all organized events requires the BC Vaccine Card to be scanned to prove full vaccination. Everyone must wear a mask.
January 18: Public health orders in effect in BC from December 23 have been extended until February 16, 2022.
- Gyms and fitness facilities will be allowed to reopen January 20, with some capacity and precautionary measures in place.
- CLOSED: bars, nightclubs. No sports tournaments.
- No indoor organized gatherings of any size (weddings, receptions, celebratory events, etc.).
- Seated events (concerts, sports, theatres, movies) reduced to 50% capacity, regardless of venue size. Everyone must wear a mask. Proof of full vaccination required for entry.
- Maximum 6 per table at restaurants, pubs, cafés, etc. (plus physical distancing or barriers). Customers must remain seated and cannot move between or visit other tables. Masks are required when not seated at a table. Proof of full vaccination required for entry.
December 20: new public health orders are in effect in BC from December 20, 2021 until January 31, 2022.
- Indoor personal gatherings are limited to your household plus 10 visitors, or one other household. Everyone 12+ must be fully vaccinated.
- New Year’s Eve parties are not allowed. Events held on December 31 must be seated events. Standing, mingling or dancing is not permitted.
Large events with capacity for 1,000 or more people can only use 50% seated capacity.Temporarily superseded by December 23–January 18 restrictions above.Customers must remain seated and cannot move between or visit other tables at restaurants and pubs. Masks are required when not seated at a table.Temporarily superseded by December 23–January 18 restrictions above.- All sports tournaments and related travel are not allowed.
Restrictions will be updated at the Government of BC’s website.
Mask Mandate
B.C. requires masks be worn by anyone 12 and older in most indoor public settings, including:
- shopping centres
- coffee shops
- retail/grocery stores
- liquor/drug stores
- city halls
- libraries
- community/recreation centres
- restaurants/pubs/bars (unless you’re seated at your table)
- public transit
- taxis/ride-sharing vehicles
- common areas of sports and fitness centres
- areas of office buildings where services are provided to the public
The BC Vaccine Card
Access many social and recreational activities and businesses requires those 12 years and older to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for at least seven days.
Only children 12 and under will be exempt from this requirement. Health officials say the new measure will help reduce transmission of the virus and allow businesses to remain open for those who are protected by vaccines.
Places where vaccine cards will be necessary include:
- indoor ticketed sports events
- concerts, theatre, dance, and symphony performances
- indoor and patio dining at restaurants
- nightclubs and casinos
- fitness centres
- organized indoor events such as weddings
Federal Vaccine Card
To show proof of vaccination for travel within Canada, access your federal vaccine card online or by calling: 1-833-838-2323
Outbreak Updates:
Get the latest outbreak information from Island Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Interior Health.
Please, continue to take care of you and yours, stay safe and sane out there, and we’ll get through this together.
Get help
COVID-19 BC Provincial Support & Information website
General financial help applications
BC Health COVID-19 support and self-assessment app (Android, iOS, or mobile web)
Mental Health & Support Services
If you need help right away, call Crisis Centre BC — 1-800-784-2433 — or the BC Mental Health Support Line — 310-6789 — toll-free in BC, no area code required.
For younger folk, Kids Help Phone — 1-800-668-6868 — is available 24/7 for those 20 and under.
And, for older folk, or those who care about them, the Seniors’ Distress line is available 24/7 at 1-604-872-1234.
BounceBack · weekly calls & support from a personal coach to combat depression, anxiety, stress, & worry. For everyone. Free.
Confident Parents, Thriving Kids · 6–14-week phone-based coaching service for parents of kids aged 3–12. Free with doctor’s referral.
Here2Talk– free provincial 24/7 counselling for post secondary students in British Columbia
Virtual support for front-line health-care workers
Mobile Response Team (MRT) (phone or e-mail) · Available now for frontline overdose public health emergency workers, frontline health care workers, and home-care and long-term care workers experiencing exponential distress and mental health concerns in response to COVID-19. 1-888-686-3022 or MRT@phsa.ca
Free online mental health first aid (online) · Available now for frontline health care workers to help them cope with any psychological effects they may be experiencing.
Virtual mental health supports for youth
Foundry Virtual Clinic (voice, video, & chat) · Now accepting virtual walk-in counselling with peer support, primary care, and family support for youth aged 12–24 and their families.
Virtual mental health supports for seniors
BC211 (phone — 2-1-1 — or online) · Now expanded to match seniors whose support network has been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak with volunteers. Also accepting volunteers to help seniors in their community with basic needs, including grocery shopping and pharmacy drop-offs and check-ins. Available now.
Virtual mental health supports for victims of family or sexual violence
VictimLink BC (phone or e-mail) · Immediate 24/7 crisis support for victims of family or sexual violence. Available now. 1-800-563-0808 or VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca
Give help
Canadian Blood Services · please donate! Appointments (no walk-ins until further notice) are still being accepted to donate blood through blood.ca, the GiveBlood app (Android, iOS), or 1-888-236-6283 (details)
Victoria Hospitals Foundation · donations up to $150,000 are being matched by Peninsula Co-op (details)
Updates: What’s happening, what’s opening, and general info
Things That Are Open · list of Victoria businesses and details on their modifications
100.3 The Q! / The Zone @ 91-3 offices · closed until further notice. Reception phones open M–F 8:30a–5:00p: 250-475-0100.
See which patios are open at VictoriaPatios.ca
General COVID-19 updates
City of Victoria says don’t flush your wipes down the toilet
How to properly remove and dispose of gloves
List of COVID-19 scams from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Victoria Police Department warns of coronavirus-related fraud attempts
General information about COVID-19