Restaurants disappointed in ‘silly’ alcohol ban

Dec 31, 2020 | 1:27 PM

B.C.’s restaurant sector is not happy with the provincial health officer’s order – announced just one day ahead of time – to ban alcohol sales from 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve to 9 a.m. the next day.

“We are profoundly disappointed because she [Dr. Bonnie Henry] has left a trail of disaster by making this decision,” said Ian Tostenson, president/CEO of the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association. “The decision was arbitrary, and the timing of it is terrible because it’s going to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars – if not millions. And it was unnecessary.”

Dr. Henry said the order still allows restaurants to have meal service with the opportunity for people to order drinks with dinner before the 8 p.m cut off.

Sherman Dahl, president of the Vernon-based Pretium Group, which owns several restaurants, said the 8 p.m. cut off for New Year’s Eve makes no sense.

“There was no reason to make that change from the current 10 p.m. This was not well thought out and will cause needless problems and solves nothing. Dr. Bonnie Henry should fix this and reverse the silly order to stop drink service at 8 p.m. in restaurants. The 10 p.m. curfew is fine the way it is,” said Dahl whose company owns Wings, The Italian Kitchen and Top Choice Pizza in Vernon.

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The new order applies to any establishment that sells or serves alcohol, including bars, restaurants, pubs, liquor stores or grocery stores. Unless a full meal service is provided, premises that are licensed to serve liquor must close between 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2020, and 9 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2021.

“We know alcohol can impair people’s judgment and their ability to effectively use the layers of protection required to keep all of us safe. This order, while temporary, will ensure New Year’s Eve leads to a safe new year for everyone,” said Dr. Henry.

Henry said she recognizes the order creates an added strain on our already challenged restaurant and food services sector that has been working hard to ensure restaurants are safe.

“However, this is the time to do all we can to keep our wall strong. We remain confident that having a meal with your household contacts in a restaurant in B.C. is safe, and we encourage people to continue to visit their local restaurants to eat in or take away on New Year’s Eve.”

by Pete McIntyre

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