Mixed reaction over new B.C. COVID-19 restrictions

A rapid spike in COVID infections has the province bringing in tighter restrictions affecting bars, gyms, restaurants, and indoor events.

B.C. actually set a new record Wednesday when it comes to new COVID-19 cases with 1,308, the highest number the province has ever seen for single day counts.

There are just over 750 Omicron cases in the province, up from a little more than 300 last Friday.

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B.C.’s provincial health officer says as a result, starting Thursday, bars and gyms will be closed and seating restrictions will be placed on restaurants.

It’s some relief for the restaurant industry, which had feared that the new restrictions would bring in stricter measures.

Ian Tostenson with the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association says, “this is going to make it a little bit harder but we are still operating. That’s really the main news here. When you have an industry with a sense of relief like you had today, that goes a long way.”

“We are really busy, there are so many people that have got reservations and they don’t seem to be blinking at this because they know the experience at a restaurant is somewhat controlled and managed and certainly safe,” Tostenson said.

While other industries are facing considerable financial loses, like those in the fitness sector.

Sara Hodson is with the Fitness Industry Council of Canada. She says the closing of gyms was a surprise despite the group staying in contact with the province in its approach to the virus.

“I know that with the increasing cases, decisions have to need to be made very quickly,” she admitted.

“But this was a shock for our industry. And you can imagine that this also came at a time when we are just starting to get traction.”

Especially with the new year just around the corner, Hodson said the council was looking forward to the fitness industry’s biggest time of the year as people make new or renewed fitness goals.

And the financial impacts of COVID-19 in the fitness industry has reached a new crisis level Hodson adds.

“This has been a really detrimental step for it for the industry, we’re already at a state where 42 per cent of fitness businesses have closed their doors permanently. And many are clinging on to really the last amounts of subsidy that they had available to them,” she tells CityNews.

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Hodson worries the temporary closures will result in a loss of revenue and cancelled memberships.

The Fitness Industry Council of Canada is now working with the province to find ways B.C. can put money into the hands of business owners, “as fast as possible.”

“This is a bigger issue than just even covering monthly costs. People have dipped into their personal finances and into their personal line of credits … people are having to sell their homes and go insolvent. And it’s a really, really tough time for this industry. And being closed, also comes with its costs, because many facilities and businesses have the opportunity to do something that is virtual.

“But that is not something that is free. That requires technology and filming and editing and everything that comes with it. Our industry is strong, and we are resilient. At the same time, we are exhausted, we have been moving and changing and pivoting for the almost last two years. And yesterday kind of felt like we were revisiting March 2020 again.”

Meanwhile, in the event sector, the provincial health orders rules all indoor events such as weddings will have to be cancelled, and all concerts and movie theatres have to reduce capacity to 50 per cent.

However, holiday dinners have not been cancelled completely, but instead must scale down.

Household gatherings are limited to one household plus another household, or ten people, and everyone 12 and older must be vaccinated to attend.

“It is over time very likely that all of us will have exposure to it. How it affects us depends on our actions and how we are doing,” Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday.

“You need to keep your groups as small as possible and it needs to be the same group of people. So not one family here tonight and another with lunch with friends the next day,” Henry said.