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Dr. Bonnie Henry says B.C. will aim for 'gradual' easing of restrictions

'But all bets are off if things change'
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Dr. Bonnie Henry told reporters in the May 17 coronavirus briefing that vaccination rates are increasing in BC but that it is too early to make changes.

Are you looking forward to dining indoors, travelling and live concerts?

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry told reporters in Monday's (May 17) daily coronavirus briefing that vaccination rates are increasing across the province but that it is still too early to make any significant changes to existing health measures. 

"Whether there's going to be a fourth wave -- we know that this virus takes advantage anytime we give people who are susceptible the means to be transmitted," she noted.

"We're starting to see our curve come down, even as more and more people are protected through vaccination. But all bets are off if things change."

While the number of new daily cases of the virus has decreased over the past couple of weeks, Henry said the infection rates are still too high and more people need to be immunized before health officials will consider easing restrictions.

That said, health officials may consider easing restrictions in the weeks to come. However, the restrictions won't all ease up all at once and several factors will be considered. Instead, the restrictions will be lifted gradually. 

Health Minister Adrian Dix added that "We are not yet ready to make any changes to the current provincial health orders and they will remain in place through the upcoming long weekend.

"This means we all still need to stay local, stay small and use all of our safety layers."