Mayor Colin Basran is not pleased with the over-1,000-person group that protested COVID-19 provincial health mandates, including the implementation of a proof of vaccine program, in front of Kelowna General Hospital on Wednesday, Sept. 1.

In an emailed statement, Basran condemned the protests, saying that it has negatively impacted healthcare workers at the hospital.

害羞草研究所淭hese workers deserve everyone害羞草研究所檚 respect and gratitude,害羞草研究所� said Basran. 害羞草研究所淥ur position remains unchanged 害羞草研究所� we urge residents and visitors to get vaccinated and follow all provincial public health orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection in our community.害羞草研究所�

Basran referred to the BC Supreme Court害羞草研究所檚 decision on March 18 to strike down a public health order prohibiting outdoor gatherings for the purpose of public protest, and participants cannot be ticketed or fined.

害羞草研究所淲hile everyone has the right to protest peacefully, the choice of Kelowna General Hospital as the location for yesterday害羞草研究所檚 event negatively impacted the very people who have been working tirelessly since March 2020 to save lives and help people who have contracted COVID-19,害羞草研究所� said Basran.

The mayor noted that the Central Okanagan has been B.C.害羞草研究所檚 COVID-19 hotspot for the last several weeks and 害羞草研究所渇rustration and fear are running high in our commmunity.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淗ealth officials have made it very clear that this pandemic is now one of the unvaccinated. In the meantime citizens continue to lose their battle with COVID-19, front-line workers are exhausted, and businesses continue to struggle.害羞草研究所�

READ MORE: B.C. premier supports health-care workers after protests against vaccine cards

paula.tran@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily newsletter.