People and businesses are quickly adjusting to eased COVID-19 guidelines, including the lifting of rules mandating masks be worn in indoor public spaces.
“It’s only been one day, but people coming in are saying: ‘It’s nice to see your smile again,’ ” said Liam McTavish, a personal trainer at Panorama Recreation Centre in North Saanich. “When the pandemic first started, many people stayed away, comparing a visit to the gym to stepping into a petri dish.”
The province entered Step 3 of its four-step restart plan on Thursday after determining that at least 70 per cent of the population 18 and older had received a first vaccine shot, among other criteria.
The move means gyms and fitness classes can return to full capacity, group limits on indoor and outdoor seating at restaurants are lifted, and all restrictions on religious worship services will be removed.
Masks are still recommended in indoor public spaces for anyone age 12 and over who is not yet fully immunized.
McTavish said people at the rec centre are now working out and talking to each other without masks on — but still maintaining social distancing.
Not everything has returned to normal, with appointments only and no drop-in sessions. Staff are still practising enhanced cleaning protocols, with 10-minute gaps between bookings.
Even with the relaxation, “people are now more educated on what they need to do to stay safe,” he said.
Masks are still required for both shoppers and staff at Ivy’s Book Shop on Oak Bay Avenue — and will stay that way for the foreseeable future.
“It was a judgment call,” said manager Shirley St. Pierre.
“Although I have had my second dose, not everybody in the store has, so I think it is just sensible that we keep our masks on for now.”
She did redo her admission sign, to let people know that they are now allowing up to four customers in the store at a time, up from three.
In Sidney, Muffet Billyard-Leake, owner of Muffet and Louisa, will be wearing her mask for another two weeks as she waits for her second vaccine dose to reach its full effectiveness.
“Our sign now just says masks appreciated — and if someone isn’t wearing one, that’s OK,” said the shopkeeper.
“People in Sidney have been lovely and so supportive during the pandemic. If a person walks in the door maskless, most of the time they have a mask in their pocket.”
Sheila Barry, a professional massage therapist from Chilliwack, had a mask in her pocket as she strolled along Oak Bay Avenue.
“It’s kind of like a security blanket,” said Barry, in town to do a wellness check on her elderly father-in-law, who lives alone. “It feels weird not to wear one, but I am happy not to.”
Richard Burke and Alan Marcus both had their masks handy as they sat outside on the Penny Farthing Pub’s patio.
The two fellow Rotarians, members of the Victoria- Harbourside club, were catching up and watching the world go by on a sunny afternoon.
“I am relieved. It feels like we have been running a marathon and we are finally approaching the end of the line,” said Burke, a retired accountant.
He said that he diligently wore a mask and noticed that most people did so as well.
“I found that people, both young and old, were more observant of the rules.”
Markus, a retired psychologist, said that the easing of restrictions, including not having to wear a mask, has resulted in a sense of relief.
“It feels like a weight has been lifted,” he said.
“While I believe that the worst has passed, I still intend to keep my eyes open and proceed cautiously.”
