Covid-19 Updates – March 10, 2022 – BC’s Next Steps in Lifting Restrictions
Effective March 11, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., the following changes will be made to public health orders:
- Face coverings order: Face coverings will be optional for people in all indoor public settings. People may want to continue wearing a mask based on personal choice.
- Individual businesses and organizations can choose to continue to require mask wearing on their premises.
- Gatherings and events for faith gatherings: The requirement of faith communities to restrict attendance based on vaccination status is no longer required.
- Indoor common area mask requirements for employees as part of the Workplace Safety Order will no longer be required. Employers may choose to continue to require wearing masks for operational reasons or in certain settings.
- Overnight camps for children and youth order requirements: COVID-19 safety plans are no longer required to be submitted to a medical health officer for overnight camps.
- Masks are encouraged on public transit and BC Ferries but are no longer required under public health order.
In addition, effective April 8, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., the following changes will also be made to public health orders:
- Showing the BC Vaccine Card proof of vaccination to access non-essential events, services and businesses will no longer be required.
- Individual businesses and organizations can choose to continue to require the BC Vaccine Card proof on their premises.
- The remainder of the Workplace Safety Order will be lifted, which means businesses will transition back to communicable disease plans to reduce risk of all communicable disease.
- The requirement for students residing in residence to be fully vaccinated under the Post-secondary Institution Housing COVID-19 Preventative Measures Order will be repealed.
Vaccinations remain the primary layer of protection that has limited severe health outcomes from COVID-19. As of March 10, 2022, 93.3% (4,322,690) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 90.7% (4,204,895) received their second dose and 55.7% (2,580,562) have received a third dose.
Here is a link to the full announcement.
Rapid tests for people 60+ at pharmacies (50+ starting next week)
Starting March 7, 2022, rapid antigen test kits will be available through community pharmacies to people aged 60 and older.
Eligible individuals can pick up one kit containing five tests every 28 days from participating pharmacies at no cost. Individuals must present their personal health number when picking up the kit or, if others are picking up kits on their behalf, in addition to the individual’s name and personal health number, date of birth must also be supplied.
Individuals should pick up a test kit when they are asymptomatic to use at a future time when they have symptoms. Guidelines for testing continue to indicate tests should be used for symptomatic individuals.
Learn More:
For more information on the government’s distribution of rapid tests:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/testing
For information on rapid antigen testing for COVID-19:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing/rapid-antigen-testing
For information on when to get a COVID-19 test at a collection centre:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing/when-to-get-a-covid-19-test
On understanding your test result:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing/understanding-test-results
For instructions on what to do if you test positive:
http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site/Documents/Tested-positive-COVID19.pdf
How these Announcements affect Spectrum’s Services
The changes announced today will mainly affect the way people experience community activities. Masks are not mandated in community settings such as grocery stores and restaurants anymore, but the operator may continue to require the use of masks. Watch for signs at the front door before you enter.
Spectrum staff will still be required to be vaccinated, will be required to wear masks when indoors, and visitors and staff at the office will be required to wear masks while moving around the office.
People who want to continue safety precautions for their health and the health of their community should be comfortable continuing to wear masks when they go shopping, use transit and visit restaurants. We have a large supply of KN95 masks from the Red Cross that are available for pickup at the office. We are also receiving kits of 5 rapid tests that can be given to staff, individuals and families to use at home. We will let you know when they arrive.
Let us know if you have any questions.
What is happening in Vancouver in March?
Click on the link below to see whats happening:
https://www.destinationvancouver.com/events/calendar-of-events/vancouver-events-in-march/?page=7
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If you have a friend, family member or meet someone in the community that is interested in joining the team and you refer them to Spectrum, you could be eligible for a referral bonus!
If the person referred is hired and maintains at least 9 months of consistent employment with Spectrum, we will award a $50 Referral Bonus.
*for more information on the program, please email hr@spectrumsociety.org
We thank you for bringing us quality applicants/employees!
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RISE Community Groups and Workshops
For info or to register:
- Email info@cnh.bc.ca
- Call Collingwood Neighbourhood House at 604-435-0323
- Or ask a RISE Staff member
Spots are limited. Registration required.
Please click these links below for further details:
RISE Spring 2021 Workshops Info
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It is a great time to review the contents of emergency medical and earthquake kits in your home.
Are your water and food rations currently dated? Other items like glow sticks and batteries have expiry dates. It’s a good time to make sure everything is up to date.
Did you use some of the medical supplies during the year? Now is a great time to order replacement items. Please note that WCB First Aid Kits are required in all of the homes that are staffed.
Have there been changes in the number of people residing in your home? Do you need more or less supplies?
Have any of the people you live with changed their diets over the past year? Do you need to change the dietary foods in their earthquake kits?
If you need help with restocking your emergency medical and earthquake supplies please feel free to contact Judy Smith at judy@spectrumsociety.org for assistance.
It is a good time to review all safety procedures in the home; making sure that exit routes are clear of debris, including accessing risk factors (for example, moving items on shelves that could fall and moving heavy items to bottom shelves instead of top shelves). Are all staff are familiar with where emergency care items are stored? Please review the following information from our policy manual with the staff and individuals you support. Include staff to join on skype or zoom if you cannot meet in person so everyone is familiar with this process.
(https://sscl.sharevision.ca/public/PolicyDirectory/General%20Policies/34.0.EmergencyPreparedness.pdf)
When you have completed your Earthquake Drill please record this information on Sharevision.
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How to Register for First Aid:
We recommend obtaining and/or renewing your First Aid through St. John’s Ambulance with the Emergency First Aid Community Care course. If there is another course offered by a different provider, please contact Human Resources prior to enrolling to determine if it is equivalent and meets the basic requirements.
To obtain/renew through St John’s Ambulance, please call (604) 321-7242
- They above number is their main line, but they have a number of locations across the lower mainland if you would like to call a location directly: http://www.sja.ca/English/About-Us/Pages/Locations.aspx
- Register yourself for Emergency First Aid Community Care.
If an employee does not have a valid first aid certificate upon hire, the fee to obtain or renew certification is the responsibility of the employee. Future renewal fees for active employees are covered by Spectrum.
- If you are renewing your first aid, ask St. John Ambulance to invoice Spectrum Society
- Let them know Spectrum Society will be paying for your course fee.
*St. John Ambulance may request authorization from Spectrum. Email hr@spectrumsociety.org with the date/location you want to complete the course and we will call them to confirm your registration.
First Aid is a requirement for employment as indicated in ‘Policy 4: Requirements for Employment. Below is a link to Spectrum’s First Aid policy:
For employees renewing their first aid, please ensure St. John’s Ambulance (SJA) includes the CPR pocket mask with your first aid registration. If the CPR pocket mask is not included with your registration fee, SJA requires attendees pay for this on the day of course completion; you can save your receipt and submit it to Human Resources for reimbursement.
Please email your certificate of course completion to hr@spectrumsociety.org to have your file updated.
Please let Judy know if you have any questions or issues registering, by emailing judy@spectrumsociety.org