COVID-19 Information

Recent Updates

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the concern of community spread, a decision was made to minimize College staff exposure, members of the public and registrants to COVID-19, and has moved to remote operations as of March 17, 2020, until further notice. The College will continue to provide services, via phone and email, to the public and registrants while working remotely.

Let’s support one another, and help each other to get through this difficult challenge!

April 19 2022 – Update on masking requirement

March 8, 2022 – New public health order requires College to record vaccination status of registrants

February 10, 2022 – Provincial Health Officer announces order requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all regulated health professionals

July 23, 2021 –BC’s Restart Step 3 – What Does This Mean for Your Practice?

March 12, 2021 – PHO Orders website

March 12, 2021 – BCCCDC

February 5, 2021 – Registrant communications regarding COVID-19 immunization

January 13, 2021 – Mask exemptions

November 12 – COBC Update on mask use following clarification from the Public Health Officer

November 9 – PPE UPDATE

June 2 – Guidelines for Return to In Person Community Care

May 15 – Providing In-person community care in British Columbia During COVID-19

May 12 – COVID-19: May 12th Update

May 1 – COVID-19 Update from the Registrar 

April 22 – COVID-19: Important update from the Registrar

April 7 – Important COVID-19 websites

April 6 – COVID-19 and Conjunctivitis 

March 27 – Essential Services Designation in British Columbia

March 26 – BCCDC/Ministry of Health: COVID-19 – Unproven Therapies Recommendations

March 25 – Questions & Answers about the Provincial Health Officer’s March 23, Update for Regulated Health Professionals

March 24 – Update from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry

March 20 – College of Optometrists of BC update re: COVID-19

March 17 – Update RE: COVID 19

March 16 – Message From Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer

March 13 – Information to Registrants on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

February 3 – Information on Novel Coronavirus


Important links

BCCDC COVID-19 (Public)

BCCDC COVID-19 Care (Health Professionals)

BCCDC COVID-19 Care (Lab Testing)

Online Self-Assessment Tool

Teleoptometry Policy 


BC Ministry of Health

The BC Ministry of Health is providing regular updates on the status of cases in BC and updating advice and guidance to the public. It includes helpful information on steps you can take, to protect yourself and help prevent the spread of the virus.


BC Centre for Disease Control

The BC Centre for Disease Control has the most up-to-date information for patients on COVID-19, including:

Common Questions

BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool

Testing and Self-Isolation


Government of Canada

The federal government is providing daily updates on the status of COVID-19 in Canada and updates on the nation’s response, and has published a How to Self-Isolate Fact Sheet.


World Health Organization

The World Health Organization is providing updates on the global status of the COVID-19 pandemic