B.C.’s top doctor is suggesting there will be some sort of a return to outdoor gatherings and even the possibility of some travel within the province during Spring Break, which is next week.

Dr. Bonnie Henry described the approach as “slowly turning up the dial” rather than “flipping a switch”.

“As we head into March break at the end of this week and into next week, [we could see] the return of things like gatherings outside, where it is safer,” she said during her briefing today. “Activities outside that we can do in groups with precautions in place — small groups that we can do for games and summer camps or spring camps — and safe, small groups with masks and safety precautions in place.”

“As well, we’ll be looking at how we can travel and explore during March break as a family or a small group together with our household, exploring our own region.”

Henry said health officials have been learning about the virus and how to respond to it for a little over a year now, noting there is a lot that people can look forward to in the months ahead.

“In the weeks ahead we can start to look at this modified return to some of the activities that have been on pause for the last months of winter. We aren’t going to rush to get things opened, but we are going to take a thoughtful, careful, and phased approach over the next few weeks,” she said.

Henry says she is also working with faith leaders for a return to in-person services as well, and she hopes that could be in place before Easter and Passover at the end of this month.

“Throughout the pandemic we have been in dialogue with faith leaders and I am so grateful for that opportunity to speak with them on a regular basis and to understand the concerns and the needs,” she added.

This comes as B.C. reported 1,462 new COVID-19 cases since Friday, as well as 11 more deaths, with 79 new cases in Interior Health.

B.C. residents have been living with COVID-19 restrictions on things like non-essential travel and social gatherings since Nov. 19, though the restrictions had been in place for the Lower Mainland since Nov. 8.