Businesses on edge, holiday plans uncertain in B.C. as possible restrictions loom

The prospect of increased restrictions has businesses on edge and holiday plans up in the air in B.C., as health officials are set to make an announcement Friday afternoon, days after hinting that new restrictions were on the way.

It is not clear what kind of changes could be coming but CityNews has learned ahead of the announcement, the province is meeting with the Industry Engagement Table, which is comprised of about 70 groups from different industries, including the hospitality sector. The province has met with this group throughout the pandemic, especially ahead of major announcements.

On Thursday, the province reported 753 new infections, a number we haven’t seen in a month and a half.

RELATED: B.C. COVID-19 restrictions under review ahead of holidays as cases jump

The province also confirmed 135 cases of the Omicron variant, which appears to be milder than previous variants but more infectious.

The latest grim numbers have many questioning if B.C. will follow moves by Ontario and Quebec to bring in more restrictions ahead of the holidays.

Dan Kelly, the President of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. says they are very concerned about what that would do to the bottom line.

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“Businesses are not going to survive this. This isn’t like March of 2020. These businesses are going into the month ahead desperately weakened after almost two years of limited sales. And even before restrictions are considered, most businesses are saying they are already seeing cancellations and consumers just drying up because people are just naturally staying home,” Kelly said.

Related Articles:

• B.C restaurants hope vaccine card will prevent further restrictions during holidays

• Quebec orders shops, bars, restaurants, churches to operate at 50 per cent capacity

• Business association urges governments to exercise caution when considering restrictions

Businesses are nervous + holiday plans are up in the air in BC ahead of an update that is expected to see new restrictions introduced. "We are deeply worried," @CFIB tells me. "We urge the gov't to look at every single other option before…any additional business restrictions."

— Monika Gul (@MonikaGul) December 17, 2021

“We are deeply worried as small business owners about the potential for additional restrictions at this stage. The business community in many parts of Canada has lost months and months of sales due to lockdowns and capacity restrictions,” Kelly said.

It is not clear what kind of restrictions may be announced but gatherings have often been a target in the past due to the high risk of transmission.

Harpal Sooch with the BC Banquet Hall Association says putting more restrictions on gatherings, like bringing back the 10 person capacity limit, would only push people to hold illegal large gatherings in private homes.

Sooch says the banquet halls are a safer option as they are already following the current guidance issued by the province.

All guests are required to show proof of vaccination through the B.C. Vaccine Card, and there are limits on dancing, and masks are mandatory.

“These facilities are made for these functions and we have a lot of [space] as compared if they do it in the houses. So I think it’s a good idea if we do it in the banquet hall as compared to the houses, the backyard, or living room or family room,” Sooch said.

“If new restrictions come definitely going to suffer all the banquet halls, all the gatherings. All the people already schedule, reschedule two time, three time. People will suffer, of course businesses will [also] suffer,” Sooch said.

There are additional health restrictions on gatherings already in place in the east Fraser Health region as it had high COVID-19 cases and lower vaccination rates in areas like Chilliwack and Mission.