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.
害羞草研究所淛ust seeing the numbers last week, I knew something was coming for sure, some more restrictions,害羞草研究所� said Katja Oldendorf, the manager of Mickie害羞草研究所檚 Pub and the Short Stop Liquor Store.
害羞草研究所淎nd there might be more, who knows.害羞草研究所�
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 it害羞草研究所檚 been nothing short of exhausting.
害羞草研究所淢entally, more than anything. Just not knowing,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淪eeing the numbers rise each day has been more of a scare to a lot of our staff.害羞草研究所�
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 Henry害羞草研究所檚 efforts in keeping the public safe.
害羞草研究所淚 guess things could be worse 害羞草研究所� be completely shut down, but we害羞草研究所檙e still open. The staffing shortage has been a huge issue for us on top of COVID. Right now, we害羞草研究所檙e holding our own,害羞草研究所� said Oldendorf.
Scott MacDonald, the owner of Dakoda害羞草研究所檚 Pub, said that provincial health officials are doing what they should do.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙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,害羞草研究所� said MacDonald.
He highlighted that the pub saw its fourth-best month in 10 years in July, adding that he isn害羞草研究所檛 worried about how the restrictions will impact business.
害羞草研究所淭he government has helped us out so much with so much government funding that there害羞草研究所檚 no way that I can complain,害羞草研究所� said MacDonald.
Launching phase four of B.C.害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淎t this point, we don害羞草研究所檛 have a choice but to participate in these restrictions because if they don害羞草研究所檛 get it under control, it害羞草研究所檚 just going to get worse,害羞草研究所� said Lindsay. 害羞草研究所淚 can害羞草研究所檛 say that it surprised us. It is super unfortunate.害羞草研究所�
Lindsay added that she anticipates measures to last through the summer.
害羞草研究所淭his has put such a strain on so many of our team and the entire management team. Everyone is trying their best. It害羞草研究所檚 a real hit because we害羞草研究所檙e trying to keep our staff morale high,害羞草研究所� she said.
害羞草研究所淭he hospitality industry deserves to create confidence in this industry, and we need public health to help us to give confidence.害羞草研究所�
aaron.hemens@kelownacapnews.com
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