B.C. gyms to gradually reopen, other business COVID restrictions extended

B.C. gyms and fitness centres will be able to reopen this week as the province makes changes to COVID-19 restrictions, but restaurants, bars, and event venues will have to wait a little longer before their rules change.

Starting Thursday, gyms and fitness centres, which have been completely closed since December, must implement COVID-19 safety plans to reopen. This will include occupancy limits of seven square metres per person.

All group fitness and exercise classes have a capacity limit of 25 people.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, adds, most of the safety plans were created based on what the province learned in its phased gym restart over the past two years.

“We’ve learned about the measures that are important to help make sure that they can restart safely and still protect people who are most at risk … the spacing requirements applies to people working out on their own, whether it’s doing weights or on a treadmill, but also applies to group fitness classes to have that unencumbered space around,” she explained.

“There must be enhanced ventilation with no fans or heaters to increase the temperature of the space, making sure we have that important measure to ensure reduction in virus loads if possible,” Henry said. “And looking at pre-bookings and time between classes as those are operationally possible.”

In addition, masks must be worn by gym patrons at all times, except when exercising, but Henry says people are encouraged to keep them on the whole time if possible. Staff, instructors, and personal trainers must wear masks at all times.

Proof of vaccination is still required at all locations.

gyms/fitness cont
Dr Henry: masks recommended for others at all times but can be removed when exerciseing, no fans/heaters to increase temperature also overall capacity limits per space#bcpoli #covid19 @CityNewsVAN

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) January 18, 2022

Fitness Industry Council of Canada President Sara Hodson says, “we are absolutely thrilled that we can get back to fitness.”

“This was a very, very trying time for our industry, as we feel that the shutdown of our gyms was not a fair stance to take. But here’s where we are today and we are delighted that we can reopen our doors, and that we can welcome back our members and that we can welcome back British Columbians, who had their eyes set on the new year … [which] would be a time for them to focus on their health,” she told CityNews.

Hodson says the council met with Henry on Monday to collaborate on a restart plan for the industry. She says a reopening will require time and effort to prepare spaces and rehire staff, especially since the fitness industry has been in the dark until now.

However, she adds, “We are looking forward now.”

“We look forward to continuing to serve not just the fitness needs, but the health-care needs of British Columbians.”

Restaurant, bar, event, personal gathering restrictions extended

Meanwhile, many restrictions on businesses like restaurants, bars, and event venues will remain in place until at least Feb. 17, as B.C. continues to face the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19 and the burden faced by the health-care system.

Henry says the province will reassess the measures before the order expires at 11:59 p.m. on Feb.16.

Join Adrian Dix, Minister of Health and Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC’s provincial health officer for an update on COVID-19. #CovidBC https://t.co/maUSeKAPE5

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) January 18, 2022

Tables at restaurants will continue to stay limited to six people, and indoor events are capped at 50 per cent capacity.

“In addition, the COVID safety plan order remains in place and it is an important tool for workplaces to use. And I would like to remind all businesses that this is something that will help us to continue to function and to function through these next few weeks as well,” Henry added.

The province will allow bars and nightclubs to reopen as long as they offer food services.

Jeff Guignard is the executive director of B.C.’s Alliance of Beverage Licensees. He tells CityNews, Tuesday’s update is “frustrating but understandable news.

While people in his industry were hoping to be past these restrictions, given the rate of transmission of COVID-19 in the province, he says “we have Dr. Henry’s back on this.”

Since January and February are usually slower months for this industry, Guignard says it’s better restrictions impact business not rather than later in the year.

However, the businesses most impacted by the extended orders will be nightclubs, curling clubs and legions — places that don’t have a kitchen, he says.

But he adds, “We received some clarity, though, that they can reopen, provided there are no dance floors … full meal service could be from a food truck or bringing some catering in so they do a path forward.”

Still, businesses will be impacted, which is why the alliance has spoken to the province about increasing COVID Relief grants that were issued to those businesses.

Meanwhile, outdoor events are still limited to 5,000 people or 50 per cent of seating capacity, excluding staff, whichever is larger, and there must be seating available for everyone.

Proof of vaccination is required for entry to any allowed events.

The maximum number of people who can gather at a private residence or vacation property is one household plus 10 other people as long as everyone is vaccinated.

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B.C.’s top doctor also addressed British Columbians who might believe the Omicron variant is “mild” calling on these people to “dismiss this right now.”

“It may be most people are not becoming seriously ill ending up in hospital. But with the high rates of transmission, there are still lots of people who do get seriously ill and even those people who aren’t in hospital — this is not an innocuous illness. The data has shown that up until now, and even with Omicron, one in 10 people will have symptoms that last for 12 weeks or longer. That’s a long time to be seriously ill,” she says.

“While this new wave our individual risk may have decreased for many, particularly if you’re younger, healthy and vaccinated. Omicron can and is still causing serious illness in many. You may not end up in hospital, but it can lead to many people being affected which leads to a strain on our hospitals at the same time as we’re also seeing healthcare workers becoming ill with this strain. It’s still a serious issue and we are still in a pandemic as much as we would like to be over it.”

On Friday, COVID-19 modelling showed challenging days ahead for the health-care system even though the Omicron-fuelled wave of the pandemic may have already peaked in parts of B.C.

Henry said data shows the top of the latest surge in cases was likely reached last weekend in Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health, where most people live in B.C. But she says hospital admissions have a lag time of about six to eight days after community transmissions and the modelling suggests they will peak in the next week.

Minister of Health, Adrian Dix, said Tuesday that staffing in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health has been challenge which “and makes it difficult to maintain the highest level of care services in some rural communities, surgical pap capacity with specialized programs.”

These two health authorities are maintaining business continuity plans to respond to staffing challenges he says.

“Over the past month, temporary measures have been adopted to address immediate requirements as needed. This is included … previous rescheduling non-urgent surgeries. Fraser Health has seen a small number of home support businesses rescheduled due to staffing challenges. The situation is monitored daily, and changes made as needed to minimize service disruptions,” Dix explains.

However, the Interior Health Authority is facing some of the most significant challenges as it is strained with the pandemic and 2021’s major weather events like the heat dome, wildfires and floods.

 

Health Auth @adriandix says having challenges with staffing meaning some home care services put off. @Interior_Health closing inperson services in a few communites. @VanIslandHealth just out with changes now (below) indicative of struggles elsewhere#bcpoli #covid19 @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/b2AeGALnx5

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) January 18, 2022

– With files from Greg Bowman and Lasia Kretzel