‘Riskier prospect than ever before’: province says large events like PNE not happening this summer

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — With some hope that COVID-19 curve is starting to flatten in B.C., the provincial health officer says large events planned for this summer still shouldn’t be happening.

Even if some health measures are scaled back next month, Dr. Bonnie Henry is throwing cold water on events that rely on hot weather and draw in large crowds.

“Realistically, we will not be having those big events where people gather together this summer. That is a much riskier prospect than ever before,” Henry says.

Same day we’re told 110th #PNE fair in #Vancouver won’t go ahead as planned because of #COVID19 pandemic, @PNE_Playland offers hope smaller gatherings are in the works.
Thanks @frost_shelley @LauraBallance @RissyL and everyone else working hard to adapt to this new normal. pic.twitter.com/XfQ12rEEbA

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) April 18, 2020

She notes the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) is one annual summertime event that shouldn’t be going forward.

“Those types of large mass gatherings where we have a lot of people together, this is not the time for that, and it’s not going to be through this summer. It will be again in our future, and I think we have to keep hold of that,” she says.

Henry adds people should instead think of how they can celebrate in a way that makes sure we can still practise physical distancing.

Laura Ballance, a spokesperson for the PNE, says like many events across the country struggling to cope during the pandemic, the exhibition is trying to work out what it might look down the road.

“Maybe not as the traditional PNE fair that we all know and love, but maybe in a different form,” she says. “We certainly respect Dr. Bonnie Henry and acknowledge she is the expert in the field.”

The 110-year-old event starts near the end of August and runs into September drawing in hundreds of thousands over a two-week period.

“As British Columbia’s largest employer of youth and the largest ticketed event in this great province, we thank you for 110 years of your support British Columbia.” @PNE_Playland #Vancouver #NewNormal pic.twitter.com/HDm68JAJ61

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) April 18, 2020

“The PNE has been the place where generations of British Columbians have come together. We survived the Great Depression, we’ve been the place where British Columbians have gathered after two World Wars,” Ballance says.

She explains any scenario the PNE comes up with for this summer will be brought to health officials for consideration.

However, she is hopeful the event will happen in some form.

“We will do our part to be part of the solution. When the time is right, the PNE is the place where British Columbians should gather and come back and celebrate,” Ballance says.

And although she admits Henry’s comments surprised her, the PNE will keep exploring possibilities and monitoring the situation.

“So stay tuned, the events may be smaller, and protocols may be different, but we have a few bright ideas up our sleeve for when the time is right,” reads a statement from the PNE.

Playland has also already delayed its opening until July, according to its website.