British Columbia is moving to Phase 3 of its restart plan today, about five weeks after Phase 2 was implemented just after the May long weekend.

Premier John Horgan says the dangers of COVID-19 in B.C. has not passed, but notes that residents in the province have been careful in how they expand their social bubbles while being able to keep transmission rates flat.

All Phase 2 guidelines and safety precautions will remain in place, but the move to Phase 3 will mean more businesses will have the guidance to open safely, including hotels, resorts, film industry and movie theatres.

“Like other activities during our COVID-19 pandemic, summer holidays and travel will be different this year,” Horgan said. “As we carefully turn up the dial on our activity, we can now look to travel safely around the province.”

That means large family gatherings and big parties remain off limits for now.

“It’s not business as usual,” Horgan said, noting that some communities aren’t comfortable with hosting visitors. “We need to make sure we maintain the practices of our own community as we travel to other communities.”

Horgan said travellers should also have a plan when moving around the province, and be mindful of who they come into contact with, which will help with contact tracing should someone fall ill.

“If we go too far, we risk a rebound and risk losing the ground we’ve worked so hard to get,” Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry added.

Just yesterday, Henry noted that B.C. residents have been maintaining contact rates at about 65 per cent, which is what health officials were aiming for with the gradual easing restrictions.

Horgan reiterated a point he previously made noting that he’s hoping that people from across Canada will visit B.C. when Phase 3 takes effect, in the hopes of making up for the lack of international tourists because of restrictions that remain in place.

And in announcing the move to the next phase, Horgan says the record provincial State of Emergency – which has been in place since mid-March – has been extended by another two weeks.

“We’re extending the provincial state of emergency, while we work to keep the economy moving and provide more opportunities for B.C. businesses to welcome our communities back,” said Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth.

“We’ve also introduced legislation that will allow us to put longer-term solutions in place, so we can continue to provide the support British Columbians need to get through this crisis.”