British Columbia’s top doctor says the requirement to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19 is being reduced to five days for those who are fully vaccinated and showing no symptoms.
Dr. Bonnie Henry says people must wear a mask around others for an additional five days after leaving self-isolation, which is dependent on being free of symptoms.
People who haven’t been vaccinated must continue to self-isolate for 10 days.
“We’ve had a number of discussions across this country, looking at data both from here in B.C. and other provinces and we have come to a consensus that, with the milder illness that we’re seeing most people right now, we can make a change to reduce the period of time that people need to be isolated if they’re sick,” said Dr. Henry during a live press conference on Friday.
After the five-day period, if symptoms have “resolved or mostly improved,” British Columbians are allowed to return to the community as long as they are wearing a mask.
READ MORE: B.C. reports record-high 4,383 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, 460 in Island Health
Dr. Henry refers to the new isolation regulations as a “risk-mitigation strategy,” suggesting that the majority of people will be through their infectious period after a five-day stint, however, it will not apply to everyone.
Dr. Henry emphasizes that no one should be leaving self-isolation while still having a fever, stating “you must continue to self-isolate until your symptoms resolve.”
“What we are seeing with Omicron is that people are infectious earlier from one to two days before their symptoms start and that the illness tends to resolve more quickly as well,” Dr. Henry outlined as a reason for the change in the isolation period.
Henry cautioned that people who have recently left self-isolation must be careful not to visit long-term care facilities or attend gatherings for the following five days.
Additionally, during Friday’s press conference, health officials announced that visits to long-term care and assisted living facilities will also be limited to essential visitors in response to recent outbreaks. These new safety protocols will come into effect on Saturday, January 1.
She told a news conference she will re-evaluate the decision to restrict visitors on Jan. 18, when further COVID-19 public health measures are also set to expire.
Henry also discouraged New Year’s Eve parties, which are prohibited under public health orders, saying it’s “inevitable that somebody that you are with is incubating or is able to spread this virus and may not even realize it themselves.”
The B.C. government is also aiming to speed up the rollout of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines after initially prioritizing people at higher risk of severe illness.
She told a news conference she will re-evaluate the decision to restrict visitors on Jan. 18, when further COVID-19 public health measures are also set to expire.
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