COVID-19 Updates

The Pivot for Individuals program assists professional artists, cultural practitioners, and arts administrators to adapt and transition their practice in response to changes in the arts and culture sector or undertake learning activities to sustain or advance their career.

Funding is available up to $12,000. 

To learn more or to apply for the grant, see Pivot for Individuals.

By order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), the restriction on all events and social gatherings in effect from November 19, 2020, has been extended until midnight February 5, 2021 at midnight.

To read more about the restrictions, see the BC Government Province-wide Restrictions.

The Minister of Transport is requiring that, effective January 7, 2021, at 12:01 am EST, all air passengers five years of age or older will be required to test negative for COVID-19 before travelling from another country to Canada.

Documentation of a negative laboratory test result must be presented to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada. The test must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) test and must be taken within 72 hours prior to the traveller’s scheduled departure to Canada.

Anyone who receives a negative test result and is authorized to enter Canada must still complete the full, mandatory 14-day quarantine.

All travellers will have their quarantine plans reviewed by a government official and, if not suitable, will be required to quarantine in a federal quarantine facility. Travellers to Canada must use the ArriveCAN App or website and provide accurate contact information and their mandatory 14-day quarantine plan on or before entry. Violating any instructions provided when you enter Canada is an offence under the Quarantine Act and could lead to up to six months in prison and/or $750,000 in fines.

Canadians who are currently travelling and returning to Canada soon should start immediately arranging for a COVID-19 test, to avoid a delay in their return to Canada. Canadians who are planning to travel abroad should consider how they will meet these requirements before departure. 

On December 21, 2020 the Provincial Government announced that the suspension of limitation periods is no longer linked to the duration of the state of emergency, and the suspension will end on March 25, 2021. For more information, see the Court’s amended COVID-19 Notice No. 34, here, and Order in Council 655/2020, here.

The BC Recovery Benefit is a one-time direct deposit payment for eligible families, single parents or individuals. Benefit eligibility is based on net income from your 2019 tax return. 

Eligible families and single parents with a net income of up to $125,000 can receive $1000, while eligible families and single parents with a net income of up to $175,000 can receive a reduced benefit. Individuals $500 for eligible individuals with a net income of up to $62,500 can receive $500, and those with a net income of $87,500 can receive a reduced benefit as well.

You must apply to receive the benefit. See HERE for more information or to apply.

As part of B.C.'s COVID-19 immunization strategy, the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations begin the week of December 14, 2020. The COVID-19 vaccine that has been approved by Health Canada is safe, effective and will save lives. The vaccine is free for all British Columbians. The first vaccines arriving in BC are from Pfizer and additional vaccines from Moderna to be available soon. Below is a timeline for the various priority groups and the general population. Public health will arrange for the following priority groups to get the vaccine. No action is required on your part. 

First priority groups

• Long-term care residents and staff
• Health-care facility staff for COVID-19 patients in settings like Intensive Care Units, COVID-19 wards and emergency departments
• Indigenous people living in rural or remote communities
• High risk people living in group settings like shelters
• People over 80 years old

Second priority groups

In spring 2021 as more vaccine becomes available, a second phase of vaccination will begin for:

• Older people under age 80 in descending five-year-age groups, with a focus on the oldest people first
• Key frontline workers including:
  • All other healthcare workers
  • Police
  • Fire and first responders
  • People working in grocery stores
  • People working in K to 12 education settings and child care providers
  • People working in transportation
  • People working in manufacturing and production facilities

General population timeline

Following all priority groups, all others in BC can get the vaccine as it becomes available, if the vaccine is recommended for them.

Everyone the vaccine is recommended for in B.C. will have the opportunity to get the vaccine by the end of 2021. We estimate that we could reach herd immunity once 60 to 70% of the population is vaccinated. This would reduce transmission rapidly.

For more information, see the Government of BC COVID-19 Vaccines page, and BCCDC’s Plan for Vaccine Distribution in BC.

With the rules and "recommendations" changing daily, People's Law School wants to keep you in the know. December 15, 2020 at noon, three BC lawyers will debunk your rights when it comes to your job and workplace, daily life and other COVID-related issues. Register here!

Dr. Bonnie Henry announced on Monday December 7th the extension of the ban on social gatherings outside one’s immediate household. This ban will remain in place over the holidays until January 8, 2021. British Columbians may not socially gather with individuals beyond household members. For others, including people who live alone, their core bubble may also contain a partner, relative, friend or co-parent who lives in a different household. This should be a maximum of two people outside of those living in your immediate household.

Masks will remain mandatory in indoor public spaces, and adult indoor and team sports are not allowed until at least January 8th. 

Bans on religious services remain in place. Weddings, baptisms and funerals are still allowed to take place with a maximum of 10 people, but any gatherings before or after, such as receptions, are still off-limits. Drive-thru holiday events that allow people to stay in their vehicles with members of their households can proceed. Events, such as a drive-in movie, have a capacity of 50 vehicles.

For more information on the updates, see the Province-wide Restrictions page.

Fraser Health was involved in cases of COVID-19 among staff of the BC Sheriff Services at the Surrey Courthouse. All cases have been interviewed and close contacts have been directly notified and required to self-isolate. There is no clear evidence of transmission of COVID-19 at the Surrey Courthouse. In light of the information from Fraser Health, the Surrey Provincial Court will be open.

Fraser Health has confirmed there is no outbreak at the Abbotsford Courthouse. Contact tracing is complete and all close contacts have been directly notified and required to self-isolate. Self-monitoring letters have been issued to all staff in the BC Sheriff Service department at the Abbotsford Courthouse. Fraser Health is confident that the situation has been managed appropriately and that all measures have been taken to ensure that transmission is controlled. The Abbotsford Provincial Court will also be open.

To read more about this update, see the November 29, 2020 announcement.

Effective immediately, people attending courthouses in British Columbia are required to wear a face mask or face covering, including in entrances, lobbies, waiting areas, registries, hallways, stairways, restrooms and elevators. In addition, people are required to wear a face mask or face covering in courtrooms unless the presiding judge, justice, master or registrar directs otherwise. 

For more information on court-specific procedures, see the November 24th announcement.