12.97°C Vancouver

May 19, 2020 3:20 PM -

Businesses, customers urged to 'take it slow' as B.C. reopens

Share On
businesses-customers-urged-to-take-it-slow-as-b-c-reopens
Chairs are turned upside down on the bar at a closed restaurant, amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Business owners are encouraged to "take it slow" as B.C. begins the second phase of its restart plan.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says she understands there will be anxiety as B.C. businesses open their doors for potentially the first time in several months.

Starting today, restaurants, cafes and pubs, retail and personal service establishments, libraries, museums and galleries, office spaces and child care facilities may reopen.

Parks, beaches and recreational facilities are reopening, too.

Henry says she knows people are a "little bit afraid" and says they should "take it slow" during what she anticipates will be "a bit of an anxiety-provoking week" until people get used to it.

Henry points to how residents became used to social distancing guidelines at grocery stores.

Latest news

BCOct 05, 2026

One B.C. Unveils Election Platform With Tax Cuts, DRIPA Repeal Promises

The Dallas Brodie-led One B.C. Party has released its platform for the B.C. provincial election, outlining a series of promises aimed at improving the province’s economy, social services and health-care system. Key commitments include cutting all personal income tax brackets and corporate taxes by 25 per cent, along with reducing the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) by two percentage points. The party also promises to remove SOGI from schools and introduce a Parental Bill of Rights. One B.C. is also pledging tougher action against drugs and crime. Its top platform commitment is to repeal the Decla
AlbertaOct 05, 2026

Amber Alert Cancelled for 7-Year-Old Aspen Wilson, Suspect Arrested

The Amber Alert issued for 7-year-old Aspen Wilson of Valleyview, Alberta, has been cancelled. Police said the child was found safe and the suspect involved in the incident, Alexander Stone, was also arrested. Authorities thanked members of the public for their quick assistance and vigilance during the emergency.
CanadaOct 05, 2026

Canada’s Services Sector Contracts for Fourth Straight Month, Businesses Remain Optimistic About Future

Canada’s services sector continued to contract in September, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline. According to the S&P Global Canada Services PMI, released Monday, the headline business activity index improved slightly to 48.3 in September, up from 46.8 in August, but remained below the key 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction. Experts attributed the weakness to ongoing tariff disputes, U.S. restrictions on Canadian products and global uncertainty linked to tensions in the Middle East. However, there was some positive news as Canadian companies remained optimisti
AlbertaOct 05, 2026

Amber Alert Issued for 7-Year-Old Girl Abducted in Alberta

An Amber Alert has been issued in Valleyview, Alberta, for a 7-year-old girl who police say was abducted by her stepfather. According to Alberta Emergency Alert, Aspen Wilson, 7, was abducted from her home in Valleyview, a community in northeastern Alberta located about 350 kilometres from Edmonton. Aspen is approximately 4 feet tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Police are searching for 28-year-old Alexander Stone, who is described as approximately 6 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 185 pounds, with brown hair. He is believed to be travelling in a Chevrolet Venture van with Alberta licence pla
taxpayers-federation-b-c-conservatives-warn-ebys-proposed-tax-could-drive-doctors-out-of-province
BCOct 05, 2026

Taxpayers Federation, B.C. Conservatives Warn Eby’s Proposed Tax Could Drive Doctors Out of Province

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has strongly opposed a proposed new tax from B.C. NDP Leader David Eby, warning that it could drive job creators, doctors and other professionals out of the province. B.C. Conservative Party Leader Lorne Doerkson also warned Eby about the proposed tax, saying it could push doctors out of British Columbia at a time when about 323,000 people in the province are still without a family doctor. Doerkson said doctors are already being recruited by Alberta and the United States with better opportunities, and adding another tax would give them another reason to leave

Related News