UPDATE: Starlight Drive-in reviewing feasibility of summer season due to COVID restrictions

UPDATE 6 p.m.

The Starlight Drive-in in Enderby is making changes to its policies and reviewing the feasibility of its summer drive-in season after getting clarification from the provincial health officer.

The business owners posted on their website Monday evening, Dr. Bonnie Henry has confirmed the Starlight Drive-In Theatre is included in her order to limit drive-in events to 50 cars, with no concession permitted.

“In order to fully comply with all government regulations, we are now limiting ticket sales to 50 cars with no concession,” said the statement. “Out of respect to those customers that purchased tickets for our May 28 to June 1 showings we are offering them the following options:
Call Ticketseller at 250-549-7469 to cancel your reservation and receive a full refund;
Attend the drive-in as planned, bringing your own snacks and refreshments. You will be required to spend the evening in your vehicle except to use the restrooms.

The owners say they remain committed to the health and safety of the community.

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“In the coming week, our team will be will be reviewing our operations, and how these changes impact the feasibility of our summer drive-in season. We will post another update once we have made longer term decisions,” said The Starlight Team.

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Appeals from drive-ins across the province, including the owners of the Starlight Drive-in in Enderby, have fallen on deaf ears.

An order from the provincial health officer restricting drive-in audiences to 50 cars only, remains in place “for now,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry during a news conference Monday.

It is part of a wider order from Henry preventing mass gatherings where COVID-19 can be spread more easily.

The Enderby drive-in opened earlier this month, with staff imposing new rules to ensure physical distancing protocols were followed.

Owner Brian Smith said the drive-in can cope with 100 vehicles under the physical distancing rules.

However, Henry said 50 cars and trucks only, cutting into the bottom line.

“This phase is where we are gradually moving into opening things up and we need to be very cognisant about having small numbers of people,” said Henry. “Yes, you can have more than one person in a car but that becomes a very challenging situation when you have large numbers of vehicles and to be able to monitor and ensure that you don’t have those multiple numbers of connections.”

Henry admitted there was no real science behind the 50 vehicle limit but called it a rational approach and consistent across all venues.

She said the province “may” be able to expand the number during the summer but would not make any predictions.

Vernon Matters has reached out to Starlight for further comment.