This is a page offering links to official sources of information by government, public health, agencies, K-12 schools and post-secondary.
As of February 2022, this page is no longer being updated.
Compiled by Island Social Trends | Last update: January 10, 2022
| STATE of EMERGENCY | TRAVEL | COVID PROTOCOLS & STATS | QUICK LINKS to OFFICIAL COVID RESOURCES |
> BC: State of Emergency to January 11, 2022 (re flooding response in BC Interior) > Inter-Provincial Travel: Allowed. > International travel outside of Canada is not recommended (by the federal government). > USA has posted a travel advisory for their citizens to not visit Canada at this time, due to Omicron (Jan 10, 2022). | > Step 3 BC Restart is not on its original schedule. > COVID safety plans are required in all businesses. Recommendation to prepare for operations at one-third capacity due to absenteeism in the Omicron wave (per Dr Henry Jan 4). > Masks mandatory in all indoor public spaces for everyone age 5+. > Vaccine card: Proof of vaccination required (since Sept 13/21) for access to restaurants & other public spaces (two doses were required by Oct 24, 2021). > Booster (3rd dose) COVID vaccine shots available to the general public (when it’s 6 to 8 months after your 2nd dose; by invitation and appointment). | Get vaccinated > The Omicron variant is causing most of the cases in BC (80% Omicron, 20% Delta as of Dec 31/21). > The Omicron variant is highly transmissible. Take all public health precautions. If you have COVID symptoms, assume you have the illness, says Dr Henry; not test necessary. Isolate for 5 days (if vaccinated); isolate for 10 days (if not vaccinated). GETTING YOUR BC VACCINE CARD: The BC Vaccine Card can be saved to a mobile device or printed and will include a secure individualized QR code. BC SCHOOLS MASK MANDATE: For all grades (K-12) & all staff and other persons in schools, as of October 4, 2021 (to at least year-end 2021). | ===== Canada: COVID-19 Updates by Health Canada ===== BC: COVID Vaccination for Children Ages 5 to 11 years started November 29, 2021. In Island Health (as of Jan 7, 2022) 25,233 kids age 5 to 11 yrs had received a Pediatric Pfizer shot (of those, 34 were 2nd doses). COVID UPDATES by BC-CDC: Steps 1 to 4 BC COVID-19 Immunization Plan (launched January 2021, updated October 26, 2021 & December 31, 2021). Boosters available in January 2022 and going forward, to anyone age 12+ who is 6 months (182 days) past their 2nd dose. COVID mandates for employees: BC government, Capital Regional District. ===== VANCOUVER ISLAND: ISLAND HEALTH: COVID UPDATES | Clinics on Post-Secondary campuses | Clinics in the community | COVID Exposures in schools Community Exposures in Greater Victoria (Island Health) Island Health COVID Vaccination clinic in Langford, at the West Shore Town Centre. Boosters by appointment (1st & 2nd dose drop-in is ok). Island Health COVID Vaccination clinic in Esquimalt, at the Archie Browning Centre. ===== K-12 SCHOOLS & POST-SECONDARY: > South Island School Districts: SD61 (Greater Victoria) SD62 (West Shore / Sooke) | SD63 (Saanich) | SD79 (Cowichan Valley) | School Board statements on mandatory vaccination for teachers & staff – SD61, SD62 (mandatory for new hires), SD63, SD79 (last update December 22, 2021) > Post Secondary (Vancouver Island & BC Lower Mainland): UVic (Victoria) | VIU (Nanaimo) | Camosun (Victoria/Saanich) | UBC (Vancouver) | RRU (Colwood) | SFU (Burnaby | Surrey | Vancouver) |
