Photo: The Canadian Press
A change in protocols has been quietly published on the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) website, stating that British Columbians are no longer formally required to self-isolate for five days if they have COVID-19.
The update on the CDC Self-Isolation and Self-Monitoring website page went live on Thursday and was first reported by the online publication the Capital Daily. It appears not to have been formally announced by the province.
The province did encourage residents in a press release on Wednesday to get their influenza and COVID-19 immunizations as soon as possible, as rates of respiratory illnesses are on the rise throughout the province.
“If people have symptoms of respiratory illness, they should stay home and limit close contact with others, especially those at higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 or influenza, until they no longer have a fever (without needing fever-reducing medications) and are well enough to participate in usual daily activities,” the province said in their statement.
The BCCDC’s new guidelines state, “Starting Nov. 17, 2022, people who have COVID-19 are no longer required to self-isolate.”
“However, it is still important for people with symptoms to stay home as much as possible to reduce any potential spread of illness until your symptoms have improved, and you are able to participate in your usual activities.”
Prior to the change, the website guidelines had stated that fully-vaccinated individuals “need to self-isolate at home for five days and until your symptoms improve and you no longer have a fever,” while unvaccinated adults need to self-isolate for 10 days.
At the press conference on Wednesday, Dr. Henry said widespread mask mandates that were in place last year are not necessary at this time.
Dr. Henry said she doesn’t believe there’ll be a need for additional broad restrictions moving into the holiday season, but they’ll be monitoring the situation through December.
Castanet has reached out to the Ministry of Health for more information on the change.
