(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

While provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said she may ease restrictions prior to the upcoming Family Day holiday Feb. 21, other provinces, and some countries are moving ahead at a much faster pace to scrap restrictions.

The premiers of both Alberta and Saskatchewan have said they're looking at easing or removing nearly all COVID-19 health restrictions in the near future.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has said his government will announce next week a date to end its COVID-19 vaccine passport, as well as removing restrictions by the end of the month.

In Saskatchewan, premier Scott Moe posted a video to social media saying "it is time" to end COVID-19 restrictions although didn't put a date on when.

The premier's comments come when a record number of people with COVID-19 are in hospital according to the Saskatoon Star Phoenix.

READ MORE: Easing of COVID restrictions in B.C. may begin after Family Day long weekend

In B.C. pandemic restrictions are a fraction of what they once were, but affect some more than others.

Nightclubs, or any pub or bar that doesn't offer full meal service still remain closed.

Casinos are capped at 50 per cent capacity as are public swimming pools. Adult amateur sports tournaments aren't allowed, however, the rules are adjusted for "high-performance athletes" meaning Vancouver Canucks games are at 50 per cent capacity.

Across the country in Quebec, Montreal Canadiens fans still can't return to the stadium, even after the province opens up indoor public venues to 50 per cent capacity on Feb. 7.

With a maximum cap of 500 spectators at indoor events, the Habs have decided not to reopen the stands to fans.

In Ontario, come Feb. 21, the province will lift the 500-person limit on indoor events allowing venues to fill their seats up to 50 per cent of regular capacity.

The restrictions seem generous compared to Nova Scotia, which is removing some restrictions on sports over the next 10 days but still doesn't plan on opening games up to spectators.

READ MORE: Alberta, Saskatchewan take lead in signalling moves to end COVID restrictions

In Europe, COVID-19 restrictions vary widely, with Austria making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory by law, including fines up to $5,000, and some Scandinavian countries scrapping all COVID-19 restrictions.

Denmark removed all COVID-19 restrictions Feb. 1, but still recommends the use of masks and COVID-19 passports in some settings such as hospitals and care homes.

Norway has also followed suit removing nearly all restrictions.

In the U.K., England has dropped most COVID-19 restrictions with no limit on visitors to care homes and allowing venues to decide whether to ask for vaccination passports or not.

In England, masks will still need to be worn in hospitals and pharmacies, and the three-million Londoners that take transit each day will still have to mask up.

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland haven't followed England's lead and still require masks and COVID-19 passports in many settings.

Australia, which has largely avoided COVID-19 compared to much of the rest of the world, has eased restrictions on international travel, but still remains a difficult country to enter.

Its border is now open to residents and students backpackers and skilled migrants with visas, however tourists and business travellers from most countries are still unable to enter the country.

New Zealand has also eased restrictions, but still has very strict conditions for those trying to enter the country.

Its border has been largely closed for two years and come Feb. 27 it will now allow the half a million New Zealanders living in Australia to return without staying at a state-managed quarantine facility. The rules will be extended to New Zealanders living in other countries in mid-March.

Tourists from some countries will be allowed to go to New Zealand in July, but travellers from most of the world will be kept out until October.

READ MORE: ‘Take back life’: More nations ease coronavirus restrictions

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