Latest COVID restrictions will have major impact on some businesses, says chamber

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Cardew added the chamber stands behind small businesses which are the backbone of every community.

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The government has also announced that seated events are reduced to 50 per cent capacity with vaccination checking and mandatory masking regardless of venue size, while there is a maximum of six people per table at restaurants, pubs and cafes plus physical distancing or barriers.

“We understand that the COVID situation is evolving almost daily and there is a need for immediate decisions, but we are concerned that businesses in B.C. are not being provided sufficient notice to communicate closures or reduced capacities to their employees and customers, or to cancel food and beverage orders,” said Cardew.

As for the other measures announced Tuesday, the chamber says it welcomes the distribution of rapid-test kits and an expansion of booster vaccine capacity.

The Dahl Group of Companies, which owns Wings Vernon, The Italian Kitchen, Top Choice Pizza and Vernon Catering & Hospitality, said it could have been a lot worse.

“Quebec, for example, seems more of a total lockdown,” said Katie Dahl, VP of the restaurant group. “We are relieved that restaurants can stay open, and we are used to measures like masks and physical distancing. Overall, our approach has been ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy.’ That might sound funny, but it actually works.”

The Dahl Group is not sure if the food service industry will see provincial and federal support, and the true economic impact of the new rules is not known.

The Opposition BC Liberals are demanding John Horgan’s NDP government immediately provide circuit-breaker supports for impacted businesses to stay afloat.

“It’s simply astounding how the NDP has once again introduced restrictions with no corresponding supports in place for affected businesses,” said Kamloops South MLA Todd Stone, BC Liberal Critic for Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “Only four days ago, businesses were promised there would be no new restrictions put in place before Christmas, but now they are being dealt another unexpected blow without the financial supports they and their staff will need to get through the holidays.”