What's allowed to open in Phase 2 of B.C.'s restart plan?

Tuesday marks the beginning of the second phase of British Columbia's restart plan, a four-phase plan to reopen the economy after two months of shutdown.

It means, starting today, restaurants, cafes and pubs, retail and personal service establishments, libraries, museums and galleries, office spaces and child care facilities may open for business again.For some companies, it will be the first time they've openedtheir doors since mid-March.

Parks, beaches and recreational facilities are reopening, too.

Butthere are restrictions.

Businesses have been asked to develop enhanced protocols to ensure they are operatingin line with the public health and safety guidelines. In order to reopen, all businesses must have a COVID-19 safety plan in place.

WorkSafeBC is providing a template for those plans. The head of prevention services for the agency, Al Johnson, has said about 300 prevention officers will oversee enforcement.

Industry-specific public health protocols were released by the province on Friday, aimingto prevent the spread of the coronavirus while ramping up economic activity.

As part of Phase 2, the province is stillasking people to stay close to home and avoid any non-essential travel between communities. People should also keep practising physical distancing andproper personal hygiene, and they should stayhome if they feel unwell.

Businesses and facilities allowed to reopen, under enhanced protocols, during Phase 2:

• Medically related services:
  • Dentistry, physiotherapy, registered massage therapyand chiropractors
  • Physical therapy, speech therapyand similar services
• Retail sector
• Hair salons, barbersand other personal service establishments
• In-person counselling
• Restaurants, cafesand pubs (with sufficient distancing measures)
• Museums, art galleriesand libraries
• Office-based worksites
• Recreation and sports
• Parks, beachesand outdoor spaces
• Child care

Also, elective surgeries are being rescheduled as part of Phase 2.

If you have a COVID-19-related story we should pursue that affects British Columbians, please email us atimpact@cbc.ca.