As 2022 draws to a close, we’re looking back at the top 10 Burnaby news stories of the year.
Yesterday, we looked back on our coverage of former British prime minister Liz Truss’ Burnaby connection and her recollection of early school days.
Today we look at the gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions over the year in B.C.
A timeline: 2022 COVID-19 restrictions eased over the year
After two years of on-and-off lockdowns and other measures to fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus, throughout the country and the province, 2022 saw a gradual easing of restrictions.
January
The doors to gyms and fitness centres finally reopened on Jan. 20, as the provincial government introduced the first of many rules aimed at easing pandemic restrictions in B.C..
On the same day, self-isolation guidelines regarding how individuals with symptoms — for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated folks — were revised, with unvaccinated individuals over 18 who test positive for COVID-19 self-isolating for 10 days and and fully vaccinated adults having to self-isolate for five days.
The provincial government also started brainstorming ideas for phasing out of restrictions in a bid to allow families to gather on Family Day.
February
On Feb. 1, long-term care residents were allowed to have visitors during outbreaks.
On Feb. 16, B.C. government announced easing of COVID-19 capacity rules, dropping limits on indoor and outdoor personal and organized gatherings like wedding receptions and birthday parties.
Theatres, sports events, fitness centres, restaurants, bars and nightclubs were also allowed to return to full capacity as long as rules about masks and vaccination rules were adhered to.
While other provinces were ditching their vaccine passports, B.C. government decided to hold to those passports until Jun. 30.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry signalled the return of in-person graduation ceremonies and a more "normal"-school environment for B.C. high school students in the spring.
As restrictions were eased and cases were "levelling off," the province would review some of the other measures in place in the weeks to come — in time for the spring break.
March
On Mar. 1, the province announced that it would move away from providing daily updates of COVID-19 case counts.
After a long hiatus, cruise ships prepared to return for the cruise season in April with new cruise-specific public health measures.
As of Mar. 11, mask mandate was lifted and people no longer were required to wear masks in indoor public spaces including public transit.
The Canadian government also dropped the mandatory testing for COVID-19 on re-entry to the country for fully vaccinated people after travelling abroad. Even passengers entering Canada who were picked randomly for a COVID-19 test didn't have to quarantine.
April
The vaccine passport program was dropped on Apr. 8 by the B.C. government.
The federa government also announced dropping some of its requirements for fully vaccinated travellers — they no longer had to follow certain safety protocols for 14 days after entry, including wearing face masks and/or monitoring themselves for symptoms of COVID-19.
They were no longer required to provide a quarantine plan upon entry. In addition to these measures, pre-entry testing requirements for unvaccinated were also dropped.
June
The Canadian government suspended COVID-19 vaccine mandates for domestic and outbound international travellers and federally regulated workers. Canadians no longer needed to be vaccinated in order to board a plane or train in Canada, but masking and other public health protection measures continued to be enforced on planes, trains, and ships.
The federal government dropped random testing of those entering Canada by air on June 11.
July
Canada brought back mandatory random testing as of July 19 for fully vaccinated international travellers arriving at the main point of entries: Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto airports.
August
For the back-to-school season, provincial guidelines were set in place as students and staff prepared to transition back to the classroom full time for the 2022-23 school year.
Masks were (and continue to be) optional. Health officials encouraged safe education — urging everyone to get vaccinated, stay home when sick and check regularly for symptoms.
October
The Government of Canada announced easing of COVID-19 border and travel measures — use of ArriveCAN was no longer required. Travellers didn't need to show any proof of vaccination or undergo any pre/on-arrival testing. Transport Canada also followed suit, dropping mask mandates on planes and trains.
Cruise measures were also lifted, and travellers were no longer required to have pre-board tests or to be vaccinated.
All other COVID restrictions were lifted.
As we near the end of 2022, it remains to be seen if Canada (or B.C.) will bring back some of the measures as respiratory illnesses spread in B.C. schools and businesses.
