B.C. government not considering mask mandate
The British Columbia government says it is not considering re-introducing mask mandates despite medical officers across Canada recommending face coverings as respiratory illnesses are on the rise.
In a statement to CityNews, the province’s Ministry of Health (MOH) says the rise in illnesses was expected and can be tied to more in-person indoor activities without pandemic restrictions.
“Even though we are seeing more respiratory illness circulating, we are not yet experiencing a COVID-19/influenza/RSV surge in hospitalizations, which necessitates activating provincial surge plans that include postponing non-urgent scheduled surgeries and moving patients to free up hospital beds,” said a ministry spokesperson.
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On Monday, Ontario Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore recommended the use of face coverings in public places as respiratory illnesses are putting pressure on that province’s healthcare system.
“The situation in Ontario right now is more serious compared to B.C.,” said B.C.’s health ministry.
“With regards to public health measures, we are not looking at reintroducing mask mandates at this time.”
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The ministry acknowledged hospitals are seeing “higher-than-normal” volumes of patients, including children.
“As we move into the late fall and winter, our teams continue to carefully monitor hospitalizations, critical care deaths, outbreaks, and clusters in community settings and long-term care,” the province said.
“As we have always done, we will continue to monitor the pandemic around the globe and in B.C., and should conditions change, we will adapt our response and the measures in place as needed to protect public health.”
Speaking with CityNews on Monday, head of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, Dr. Brian Conway, said “don’t store your masks away,” adding he doesn’t think a recommendation like Ontario announced will be needed in B.C.
With files from Meredith Bond, Martin MacMahon and Charlie Carey
