We need post-COVID plan

Photo: mgnsw.org.au

At the time I write this, British Columbia has received 2.93 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

More than 85% has already been administered, meaning approximately 2.5 million citizens have now received a single dose of vaccine.

Just over 130,000 have now received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine

With the population of slightly over five million, this means B.C. has not reached the threshold where 50% of our population has at least one dose of vaccine.

Canada wide, this number is not far behind, with 46% of the population having received one dose of vaccine. In other words, almost one half of our population has been vaccinated.

The question that's increasingly being asked is, what comes next?

In the Unites States, the CDC has released guidelines that outlines many activities that are now considered safe and do not require mask wearing or social distancing.

In the U.K., there is now a four-stage roadmap that outlines the lifting of restrictions at each stage.

In Stage 3, for example, most businesses will be able to fully re-open.

This week, the U.K. intends to announce the country is now in Stage 3.

The EU is also creating a harmonized list of travel regulations and restrictions, as well as creating an electronic travel certificate.

Unfortunately, here in Canada, we still do not have a detailed re-opening plan from our federal government.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has recently posted some information but not to the level of detail needed by many Canadians.

As a result of this, the Business Council of Canada has written an open letter to the Prime Minister requesting a plan to reopen the Canadian economy.

This letter offers advice to the Prime Minister:

“Canadians also want to know when it will be safe to travel again to see friends and loved ones. To avoid rising levels of confusion and frustration, your government should collaborate with officials in the United States and other countries in setting benchmarks that would enable the easing of border restrictions and travel quarantines.
"A clear and predictable plan for a gradual and safe return to a more normal life would instil public confidence while demonstrating concern for the physical, mental and economic health of Canadians. As business and community leaders we stand ready to work with you to ensure a safe and sustainable recovery.”

The intent of my report this week is not to criticize the federal government for a lack of a plan, but rather to ask a question to the citizens of the Central Okanagan, Similkameen and Nicola.

• When it comes to re-opening our local and national economy what are the concerns you would like to see addressed?

I can be reached at [email protected] or call toll free 1-800-665-8711

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.