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(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

More than three in five B.C. residents don't think it's necessary to go back to COVID-19 restrictions.

A Research Co. poll found that 62 per cent of British Columbians believe there is no reason to return to the restrictions that were implemented in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, 18 per cent do believe stricter public health measures should be in place, with that number dropping to 15 per cent in the southern Interior, according to a media release issued today, Feb. 22.

The poll found that nine per cent of the population still believes COVID was a hoax that should never have altered our lives.

Almost 70 per cent believe COVID-19 is still a real threat, which is lower than a poll conducted in March 2021 when 81 per cent said it was a real threat.

When asked whether it would be justified to re-introduce COVID measures, almost 25 per cent said they'd support the return of vaccine passports.

Twenty-one per cent would be OK with mask mandates, but only 17 per cent wanted restrictions reintroduced for worship services, concerts and sporting events.

Six per cent favoured banning travel to other provinces.

The statistics show a significant change than an Angus Reid poll conducted just two months ago.

The Angus Reid poll found that 52 per cent of B.C. residents would be happy to see the return of mask mandates.

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More than half of B.C. residents (55 per cent) are happy with the way the provincial government has managed the pandemic.

That number is lower for the federal government (49 per cent) and lower still for the Conservative Party of Canada (36 per cent) and for the B.C. Liberal Party at 35 per cent.

More than half of British Columbians (52 per cent) say they are happy with TV coverage of the pandemic, with 48 per cent happy with radio and newspaper coverage.

"British Columbians who would like to see stricter guidelines to deal with the pandemic are more likely to be satisfied with the performance of news organizations on television (69 per cent), radio (66 per cent) and print (62 per cent)," Research Co. president Mario Canseco said in the release. "Those who consider COVID-19 a hoax provide significantly lower marks."

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More than half of British Columbians (52 per cent) say they are happy with TV coverage of the pandemic, with 48 per cent happy with radio and newspaper coverage.

"British Columbians who would like to see stricter guidelines to deal with the pandemic are more likely to be satisfied with the performance of news organizations on television (69 per cent), radio (66 per cent) and print (62 per cent)," Research Co. president Mario Canseco said in the release. "Those who consider COVID-19 a hoax provide significantly lower marks."

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