After a little over a week of new liquor restrictions issued by the government of British Columbia, Kelowna watering holes are beginning to feel the effects.
On Sept. 8, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry ordered a ban on alcohol sales in restaurants, bars and pubs after 10 p.m., as well as requiring them to close by 11 p.m. if the kitchen doesn害羞草研究所檛 remain open. In addition, Henry ordered nightclubs and stand-alone banquet halls to shut down completely.
With local bars and restaurants trying to get back on their feet after having to close their doors for several months due to COVID-19, the new restrictions have knocked many establishments back down, losing out on primetime hours after 10 p.m.
Kalli Dunham, manager of Craft Beer Market in downtown Kelowna said the party hasn害羞草研究所檛 stopped at 10 p.m., noting many of her customers are flocking to house parties or even partying in the streets after closing time.
害羞草研究所淎 lot of our sales are post 10 p.m害羞草研究所� we害羞草研究所檙e seeing a massive decrease in sales,害羞草研究所� said Dunham.
害羞草研究所淲e still think that there害羞草研究所檚 the same number of people that are trying to break the rules and still trying to table hop between the hour of 7 to 10 p.m., so we don害羞草研究所檛 really see (how the new restrictions) are going to make a difference. We害羞草研究所檙e finding that people are just parting in the streets so we害羞草研究所檙e then trying to police outside.害羞草研究所�
Kelly O害羞草研究所橞ryan害羞草研究所檚 Neighbourhood Restaurant, located directly across the street from Craft, has seen a similar trend. Cassidy Barron, manager of Kelly O害羞草研究所橞ryans said she hasn害羞草研究所檛 seen a shift in the mentality stating people are going to party regardless of the restrictions, and the new restrictions are taking away from the economy.
害羞草研究所滻t害羞草研究所檚 been business as usual, but from talking with customers it feels like people are doing house parties now, which kinda sucks,害羞草研究所� said Barron.
害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檝e taken the liquor away from restaurants and they害羞草研究所檙e just planning on drinking at house parties, which can get bigger and that sucks to see. In my opinion, I think it was silly to take (late-night liquor sales) away from the restaurants.害羞草研究所�
READ MORE: B.C. to shut down nightclubs, banquet halls; limit late-night alcohol sales at bars
READ MORE: Nightclub closures, liquor sale limits a 害羞草研究所榩unch in the gut,害羞草研究所� B.C. industry group says
Henry said the closures were necessary after it became clear that banquet halls and nightclubs became 害羞草研究所渉igh-risk places害羞草研究所� that were unable to bring in enough safety measures to keep guests safe.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 going to be a challenging time for those businesses,害羞草研究所� Henry acknowledged.
害羞草研究所淭hese restrictions will take away that late-night temptation people have, when we know there害羞草研究所檚 been mixing (of social groups) going on and transmission is happening in these venues.害羞草研究所�
As to what qualifies as a nightclub, she said it would be those establishments whose 害羞草研究所渟ole purpose is entertainment and liquor service.害羞草研究所�
Henry said that she is not currently considering shutting down dine-in service at bars and restaurants altogether at the moment.
害羞草研究所淚 use orders as a last resort害羞草研究所e do it for things where we know it will make a difference,害羞草研究所� Henry said.
