Province announced end to COVID-19 public health emergency

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – British Columbia has announced the conclusion of the COVID-19 provincial public health emergency and the introduction of new immunization mandates for healthcare workers. 

The provincial public health emergency has been in effect since March 2020, with public health orders in place in varying capacities. 

In a statement released on July 26th, B.C.’s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, explained that while COVID-19 is still present, the risk has been reduced, and both communities and the healthcare system have built high levels of protection against the disease. 

“Wastewater indicators and testing data show COVID-19 has levelled off, and the number of people in intensive care and in hospitals is lower and stable. The level of protection provided by vaccines and hybrid immunity is also helping to protect us,” Dr. Henry stated.  

Shortly after the provincial health officer’s press release, the province announced that healthcare workers would be required to disclose their immunization status ‘as a way to help keep people safe.’

With the conclusion of the public health emergency, the COVID-19 vaccine mandate in healthcare settings also comes to an end. 

However, according to the province’s announcement, all healthcare workers in public healthcare facilities will be required to report their immunization for COVID-19 and influenza and their immune status for other critical, vaccine-preventable diseases. 

“Collecting these records will allow for quick action to be taken in the event of an exposure, outbreak, or future pandemic to ensure healthcare workers who are not immune follow appropriate measures. Depending on the circumstances, this could include masking, modified duties, or exclusion from work,” the press release stated.

“By shifting to a new requirement for healthcare workers to report their immune status for key vaccine-preventable diseases including COVID-19, we are continuing to take actions that keep people safe, support a healthy workforce and a strong health-care system,” Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, said in the province’s press release. 

The mandatory reporting requirement will take effect on July 26th and apply to healthcare workers in health authority-operated and contracted facilities, including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, contractors, and volunteers. 

The mandate extends to vaccinations for COVID-19, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, whooping cough, and chicken pox. 

“We know that immunization works to help protect people from illness, including vaccines that protect against COVID-19,” said Dr. Henry.

“This is all part of a system that can help to prevent outbreaks and manage them when they do happen quickly and effectively.”