Following the surge in COVID-19 cases in the Central Okanagan over the past few weeks, more restrictions were put in place Aug. 6 to limit the spread in the region, which included shutting down nightclubs and bars, as well as limiting restaurant patrons to groups of six and suspending liquor service at 10 p.m.
For some owners of Kelowna pubs and restaurants, the announcement of the recent health measures came as no surprise.
sa国际传媒淛ust seeing the numbers last week, I knew something was coming for sure, some more restrictions,sa国际传媒� said Katja Oldendorf, the manager of Mickiesa国际传媒檚 Pub and the Short Stop Liquor Store.
sa国际传媒淎nd there might be more, who knows.sa国际传媒�
Things seemed to be trending in the right direction when the province entered phase three of its restart plan on July 1. But as the Central Okanagan struggles to maintain a linear course to normalcy, Oldendorf said that itsa国际传媒檚 been nothing short of exhausting.
sa国际传媒淢entally, more than anything. Just not knowing,sa国际传媒� she said. sa国际传媒淪eeing the numbers rise each day has been more of a scare to a lot of our staff.sa国际传媒�
READ MORE: Bars, nightclubs ordered to close as Central Okanagan COVID-19 cases surge
She added that she has no other choice but to roll with whatever provincial health officials decide to do and that she supports Dr. Bonnie Henrysa国际传媒檚 efforts in keeping the public safe.
sa国际传媒淚 guess things could be worse sa国际传媒� be completely shut down, but wesa国际传媒檙e still open. The staffing shortage has been a huge issue for us on top of COVID. Right now, wesa国际传媒檙e holding our own,sa国际传媒� said Oldendorf.
Scott MacDonald, the owner of Dakodasa国际传媒檚 Pub, said that provincial health officials are doing what they should do.
sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e doing what they want us to do. I mean, all you really have to do is wear a mask when you sit down now,sa国际传媒� said MacDonald.
He highlighted that the pub saw its fourth-best month in 10 years in July, adding that he isnsa国际传媒檛 worried about how the restrictions will impact business.
sa国际传媒淭he government has helped us out so much with so much government funding that theresa国际传媒檚 no way that I can complain,sa国际传媒� said MacDonald.
Launching phase four of B.C.sa国际传媒檚 restart plan in early July, which included making masks optional, Train Station Pub and Midtown Station co-owner Rhonda Lindsay said that provincial health officials should have expected a surge in COVID-19 cases.
sa国际传媒淎t this point, we donsa国际传媒檛 have a choice but to participate in these restrictions because if they donsa国际传媒檛 get it under control, itsa国际传媒檚 just going to get worse,sa国际传媒� said Lindsay. sa国际传媒淚 cansa国际传媒檛 say that it surprised us. It is super unfortunate.sa国际传媒�
Lindsay added that she anticipates measures to last through the summer.
sa国际传媒淭his has put such a strain on so many of our team and the entire management team. Everyone is trying their best. Itsa国际传媒檚 a real hit because wesa国际传媒檙e trying to keep our staff morale high,sa国际传媒� she said.
sa国际传媒淭he hospitality industry deserves to create confidence in this industry, and we need public health to help us to give confidence.sa国际传媒�
aaron.hemens@kelownacapnews.com
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