Second step of BC Restart Plan now in effect
- University of Victoria
On May 25 the BC government released BC’s Restart: A Plan to Bring Us Back Together.
The plan lays out a four-step process to gradually and safely restarting our social connections, businesses and activities. Getting vaccinated is the most important tool supporting the restart. Vaccines are already having a significant effect, with the rolling 7-day average number of cases on Vancouver Island falling by 85% since early April (view BC COVID-19 dashboard).
The province’s plan aligns with UVic’s return to campus guidance, and with the public health planning assumptions and safety measures set out in the COVID-19 Return to Campus Primer. Moving through the steps, between May 25 and Sept. 7, is dependent on:
- declining COVID-19 case counts
- increasing vaccination rates in people 18+
- declining COVID-19 hospitalizations, including critical care, and
- declining COVID-19 mortality rates.
Health and safety measures continue
- Masks and physical distancing measures continue to be in place with no changes to protocols in all areas, including indoor public spaces, classrooms and research facilities until at least June 30.
- For units, staff and faculty, continue to follow the UVic Return to Campus Guidance in planning for a safe return to campus, and ensure safe work plans are up to date. Units may conduct small in-person meetings as part of their return to campus following their office safe work plans, while still maintaining virtual meetings for larger staff/faculty meetings.
- A daily COVID-19 self-assessment continues to be required, including not attending campus when ill.
Impacts on university services
The second step of the restart plan, effective June 15, has the following impacts on university services:
Athletics and recreation
- Indoor sports (games) are permitted, without spectators.
- Outdoor sports are permitted and may now have up to 50 spectators.
- High-intensity indoor group exercise classes are permitted and have resumed at CARSA, with limited class sizes and safety protocols in place.
- The Fitness Weight Centre, McKinnon Pool and CARSA Climbing Centre remain open for individual exercise. Don’t forget to reserve your spot in advance.
Indoor/outdoor gatherings and events
- Maximum of 50 people for indoor seated organized gatherings (e.g. weddings, ceremonies, movie theatres, other bookings of UVic facilities)
- Maximum of 50 people for outdoor organized gatherings (e.g. campus bookings for outdoor theatre, musical performances or other events)
Faculty and staff
- Contact outdoorbookings@uvic.ca to book outdoor space.
- All events require a safe work plan that follows PHO Gathering and Events protocols.
- These gathering limits do not apply to UVic meetings and educational activities occurring in classrooms, in-person learning facilities and research facilities. Continue to follow the safe work plans for those areas including occupancy limits and other safety protocols.
Food on campus
- Indoor dining continues on campus for groups of up to six people at the University Club, Felicita’s, Mystic Market and the SUB. Outdoor seating and takeout services are also available.
- Indoor seated organized events for up to 50 people permitted in restaurants with safe work plan in place
Food Services locations and hours
Travel
- The provincial travel restrictions have been lifted and recreational travel is now permitted within BC.
- Essential travel between provinces continues to be allowed. If you must travel for essential reasons—including travel for work, research and field schools—follow all local health and safety protocols, wash your hands often and practice physical distancing.
More information on COVID-19 site
Next steps/more information
As we look towards welcoming everyone back to campus this fall we will continue to provide the most up-to-date information about each stage of the restart plan and its impacts on our campus. Step 3 of the BC Restart Plan could begin as early as July 1. We will also continue to introduce the most current health and safety measures required by the Provincial Health Officer, WorkSafeBC and the Go-Forward Guidelines for BC’s Post-Secondary Sector.