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While B.C. continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, officials have ordered a number of non-essential businesses to close if they cannot ensure safe physical distance.

Others, however, have asked why public transit continues to run, despite the confined spaces of SkyTrains and buses and fears of the spreading virus, and why some childcare facilities are still operating.

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That’s because public transit and childcare facilities are among some of the things defined as an essential service in British Columbia.

“Essential services are those daily services essential to preserving life, health, public safety and basic societal functioning. They are the services British Columbians rely on in their daily lives,” according to a background from the B.C. government.

While some types of businesses have been ordered to close by the provincial health officer, any business that is not subject to an order and which is not listed as an essential service can continue to operate “if it can adapt its services and workplace to the orders and recommendations of the PHO.” That means ensuring customers or patrons can maintain two metres of physical distance and that occupants don’t total more than 50, as banned by health officials.